Utilities Director

The Position

Carlsbad -The Community:

This nearly 40 square mile city is ideally situated in north San Diego County with an approximate population of 115,000. It offers a great climate, beautiful beaches, lagoons and abundant natural open space. World class resorts, family attractions, well planned neighborhoods, a diverse business sector and a charming village atmosphere combine to create the ideal California experience.

DEI Statement:
The City of Carlsbad embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and recognizes the vital relationship of a culturally diverse, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. A diverse, equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

The Branch:

The Public Works Branch is responsible for planning, providing and maintaining infrastructure that supports Carlsbad's excellent quality of life. The branch includes a variety of departments including Environmental Sustainability, Fleet & Facilities, Construction Management & Inspection, Transportation and Utilities. More than 195 full-time equivalent staff support the branch which also has an annual total budget of over $123 million, along with a total Capital Improvement Program (CIP) appropriation of over $110 million.

Basic Function:

Under broad administrative direction, responsible for policy development, fiscal management, administration and operation of all water and wastewater programs and activities. Serve the customer base of Carlsbad's utilities and diversified assets, build and operate infrastructure and manage energy commodities. Perform highly responsible and complex professional administrative work; and perform related responsibilities as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a single incumbent position reporting directly to the Deputy City Manager for Public Works. This incumbent provides general strategic and administrative direction to the city divisions that are assigned to the Utilities Department, which typically include water, recycled water, and wastewater, and applicable energy management. This position also functions as the General Manager for the Carlsbad Municipal Water District (CMWD).

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze data, make recommendations, prepare reports and make presentations on the formulation of policy and procedure, and staffing and organizational requirements for Utilities Management, in alignment with guiding principles adopted by the City Council and the CMWD Board of Directors.

• Develop infrastructure, operate utilities and provide related products and services to the city and the region as applicable.

• Work closely with contracting organizations and appropriate federal and state agencies regarding the viability of water supplies; advise the City Council on related issues and programs.

• Consult with and advise city and CMWD representatives on the San Diego County Water Authority Board and Encina Wastewater Authority Board.

• Ensure that the CMWD complies with all contractual and legal requirements regarding the quantity and quality of water provided. Ensure compliance with California Water Code and San Diego's Local Agency Formation Commission.

• Direct and review preparation or examination of public and private engineering plans, specifications, designs, cost estimates and legal descriptions for a variety of construction and maintenance projects.

• Plan and direct a comprehensive program relating to overall utility goals, objectives, operating policies and procedures.

• Comply with current federal, regional and state requirements; participate and collaborate in meetings and adjudicative matters/processes/hearings.

• Explore alternative energy resources such as solar energy, hydroelectric and wind, where applicable.

• Plan and direct programs relating to production, storage, treatment, transmission and distribution of the water supply, seawater desalination and recycled water.

• Plan and direct programs relating to wastewater collection and treatment.

• Direct preparation, development and evaluation of technical studies, including review of innovative technology; analyze and determine necessary actions. Ensure efficient planning and management of contracts.

• Coordinate and integrate Carlsbad utility programs and operations with that of other public jurisdictions.

• Incorporate sustainable and environmentally friendly practices into utility facilities and daily operations; increase community awareness of sustainability and energy efficiency efforts.

• Act in concert with direction of the City Council and the CMWD Board to mitigate financial impact of water and other utility interests for the City of Carlsbad and the CMWD.

• Represent the Carlsbad utility in conferences and studies relating to water supply and administration at local, state and national levels. Make presentations to the City Council and the CMWD Board, advisory committees, business and educational groups on a variety of departmental issues.

• Establish inclusive citizen involvement that promotes understanding, input and feedback to further the department's mission.

• Direct preparation and implementation of a comprehensive safety program to applicable water/utility issues.

• Coordinate and provide responsible staff assistance to the City Manager, City Council, CMWD Board and other city boards and commissions as assigned.

• Assist in development of the city's overall goals, objectives, policies and priorities.

• Conduct policy and fiscal-related analytical studies and reports involving evaluation of departmental operations and service programs.

• For areas of responsibility, oversee preparation, coordination and analysis of annual department budgets; direct preparation of multiple departmental work programs and annual budgets.

• Attend conferences, schools and professional meetings to keep abreast of new developments in water, recycled water, wastewater and administration.

• Coordinate activities with other city departments, other public or private agencies and regulatory agencies.

• Respond to and resolve all customer inquiries and complaints.

Qualifications

To perform a job in this classification, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties as generally described in the specification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties in a specific job.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.

Knowledge of:

• Water resources and treatment management principles and practices. Water project planning, water resource management, and watershed management.
• Principles of organization, administration, budget and human resources management.
• Federal, State, municipal laws, statutes, codes and ordinances related to water resources and utilities management. Regulatory analysis and compliance support for water, recycled water, and wastewater programs.
• Business process and performance benchmarking. Data analysis and quality assurance. Local government financial practices and procedures.
• Methods Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize and direct the city's Utility Management Wastewater and Water-related programs.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership for the department.
• Properly interpret and make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Develop and administer annual and long-range programs and budgets.
• Exercise good judgment, flexibility, creativity, and sensitivity in response to changing situations and needs.
• Work cooperatively and effectively with management staff, employees and others.
• Supervise, train and coach assigned staff.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Work well under pressure to meet deadlines.

Experience & Education

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree and preferably a graduate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or related field, and ten years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the field of civil engineering, public works or a closely related field at an administrative or management level. Substantial management experience in the production, treatment and distribution of a potable water supply.

• A master's degree in engineering, public or business administration is highly desirable.
• CA Department of Public Health Water Distribution Operator Grade 3 Certificate or registration as a professional engineer is highly desirable.

This is an at-will management classification.