Utility Operations Manager

The City of Kirkland Public Works Department is seeking to hire a Utility Operations Manager!

Why Work for Kirkland?

Ranked as one of the most livable cities in America, Kirkland is an attractive and inviting place to live, work, and visit.  We have big city vision while maintaining a small-town, community feel.  If you are a candidate with the desire to join an organization looking to innovate into the future, the City of Kirkland is the place for you!

If you ask our employees why they love where they work, they will tell you about the great people, work environment, supportive management and City Council, and fearless innovation.

We also invest in you!

Competitive Wages: We strive to maintain competitive compensation packages and work to provide wages that meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities of our employees.

Awesome Benefits: The City offers benefits that are unmatched by most other employers. Please click on the benefits tab above to view more details.

Childcare Programs: To help address the challenge of finding reliable childcare, the City of Kirkland has reserved spots for City employees at local and regional service providers, available at a discount. New employees gain access to Kirkland's reserved spots as soon as they start employment. Learn more!

Training and Career Development: The City of Kirkland believes in developing its employees. You will have access to training opportunities designed for career development and advancement based on your position, skills, and interests.

Job Summary

The Utility Operations Manager manages the maintenance and operations of the Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Solid Waste utility systems within the Public Works Department and oversees administration in the Water, Wastewater, and Solid Waste utilities.  This position is responsible for the management of the City's utility infrastructure and implementation of short and long-term projects and programs designed to assure the most cost-effective and efficient approach to the continuous quality operation and maintenance of the City's infrastructure. This position performs a full range of managerial duties that are complex in both breadth and depth. Positions at this level have responsibility for personnel management, financial administration, long-range strategic planning, and development and implementation of complex operational and policy analysis. This position, under the direction of the Public Works Deputy Director of Operations, assists in managing and coordinating regional Water, Surface Water, Wastewater, and Solid Waste utility operational and policy activities with other cities, districts, state agencies and regional organizations for recommendation to the Public Works Director, City Manager, and City Council.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Utility Operations Manager oversees staff and administration of the Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Solid Waste operations and utility work groups. The Utility Operations Manager is part of the Public Works Management and Leadership Teams, and works closely with other Public Works Divisions, the City Manager's Office, and other departments.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Leads, manages, supervises, develops, mentors, and holds accountable staff in the Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Solid Waste operations and utility work groups.

• Prepares and administers budgets, monitors fiscal activities, adheres to budget guidelines.

• In partnership with the Utility Policy & Community Relations Supervisor and Senior Financial Analyst, participates in utility rate analyses including projecting revenues and expenditures.

• Develops annual work plans, standard operating procedures, management improvements, and best practices.

• Responsible for administering and adhering to all Federal, State and local laws, regulations and mandates governing wastewater, drinking water, and solid waste and recycling.

• Develops and manages long range plans such as the General Sewer Plan, Comprehensive Water System Plan, SCADA Master Plan, and Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan.

• Works in partnership with the Surface Water Manager to set performance standards in adherence to the NPDES requirements, review stormwater infrastructure project status reports, evaluate performance, and is proactive in resolving problems; responsible for instituting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.

• Works closely with the Surface Water Manager to create and implement the Surface Water strategic plan.

• Works closely with all Public Works divisions to ensure the design and construction of utility infrastructure projects meets pre-approved plans and maintenance best practices.

• Coordinates division activities with supervisors, managers, and senior level staff in Public Works and throughout the City.

• Work in partnership with the Utility Policy & Community Relations Supervisor to collaborate with other governmental jurisdictions in the development and implementation of interlocal agreements, long-range strategic plans, and policies.

• Ensures the timely response and resolution to internal and external customer inquiries, concerns, and complaints.

• Interprets and enforces collective bargaining agreements covering unionized staff.

• Observes or monitors controversial or high visibility utility programs, projects, and emergencies.

• Monitors and review utility-related legislation and supports City Council legislative priorities.

• Develops bid specifications for Request for Proposals (RFPs) or scope of work for Request for Qualifications (RFQs); negotiates and administers contracts for consultants, contractors, and service providers.

• Prepares reports, memorandums, and presentation materials, including Council presentations as needed.

• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties:

• Serves as Acting Deputy Director of Operations in their absence.

• Participates in emergency management preparation and planning.

• Develops specifications for competitive procurements.

• Oversees administering the policies and scheduling of personnel for Stand-by Duty in partnership with the Streets and Grounds Manager.

• Responsible for water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste infrastructure and the asset management system.

• Due to the nature of the division work, may be required to respond to cover emergent operational needs.

• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

• Responsible for developing measurable implementation plans that achieve the City's initiatives in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Roadmap.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and maps.

• Comprehensive knowledge of construction methods and engineering practices.

• Advanced organizational skills to effectively manage multiple priorities.

• Advanced analytical, public relations and communication skills (both verbal and written) to comprehend, interpret, and explain rules, regulations, legal requirements and policies.

• Advanced interpersonal skills to build and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of internal and external customers and contacts.

• Ability to remain flexible to changing priorities.

• Advanced negotiation skills and contract administration skills.

• PC proficiency including word processing, spreadsheet software, and other specialty software used by the Public Works and Finance Departments.

• Working knowledge of construction equipment and machinery operations of all applicable City equipment.

• Working knowledge of installation practices related to water distribution, sewer, and stormwater system infrastructure.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor of Arts or Sciences degree from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Civil Engineering, Public Policy, Public Administration, or related field.

• Experience: 5 years of experience supervising or managing public utility systems and staff.

• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to remain insurable under the City's insurance to operate motor vehicles.

• Comprehensive knowledge of the technical requirements and operation standards of water, stormwater, wastewater, and solid waste systems and the knowledge of the principles and practices of municipal utilities.

• Possess Water Distribution Manager III certification, or ability to obtain within 1 year.

• Prefer Cross Connection Specialist certification, or ability to obtain.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

Work is primarily conducted in a typical office environment. Incumbent is frequently required to sit for extended periods of time. Incumbent is occasionally required to conduct site visits, which may include climbing ladders to enter confined spaces, using maintenance hole steps or access ports to inspect facilities or resolve problems. Site visits frequently include travel in the field to view problem sites, which may expose the incumbent to high decibel levels from operating equipment, hazardous conditions, rugged terrain, and/or outside weather conditions.

Selection Process

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application.  Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the offer letter.  Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail.  Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work.  As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings.  Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 425-587-3111.