Deputy Director Dallas Water Utilities Business and Customer Operations (Dallas Water Utilities)

Welcome to the City of Dallas!

The City of Dallas is one of the largest employers in the DFW Metroplex.

We offer growth opportunities and a chance to make a difference in our community.

What do we offer?

A competitive salary, five-year vested pension plan, great benefits package that includes health, vision and dental insurance, pet insurance, tuition reimbursement, qualifying childcare assistance, paid time off and more.

Join our diverse workforce and help us in providing excellent service to the residents of Dallas while building a rewarding career.

Job Summary

Dallas Water Utilities is a regional provider of water, wastewater, and stormwater services and the ninth largest provider in the country of these services. The Deputy Director-Water Utilities oversees Business and Customer Operation Programs including multiple divisions to plan, direct, and provide executive management for the financial management, operations and regulatory compliance for Dallas Water Utilities and its regional customers. Assigns and reviews performance of subordinate senior level managers and supervisors, oversees financial and budgetary management, performs extensive operations review, delivers administrative direction, and ensures quality control of all operations, programs, and service delivery activities to ensure local, state and federal regulatory compliance. The program has approximately 450 FTEs, $1.2B department budget oversight including operations and debt issuance/management, direct account and meter customer service and billing system account maintenance for over 300,000 water, wastewater, sanitation and stormwater accounts, directly manages relationship and interaction with customer cities, local, state, and federal agencies, ensures the city has water both now and, in the future, to meet the needs of the citizens of Dallas and customer cities while maintain and acquiring water rights as needed.

Job Description
 

Essential Functions

• Directs and provides executive review of all long-term and short-term planning, budgeting, operations and maintenance activities, coordinates with capital delivery, personnel development and management, equipment management, new technologies research, and all resource and asset management; manages and evaluates all subordinate senior level managers and superintendent to increase productivity, maintain and increase the employee moral, provide professional growth opportunities, create a culture of safety and team work, and ensure staff provides excellent customer service on a 24/7 basis.
• Directs communications with residents and businesses, regulatory agencies, city management, other city departments, consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Meets personally with or receives telephone calls from residents and businesses who desire information or have an concerns; investigates and ensures adequate responses.
• Represents the department and the city as a member of various committees both internally and externally; represents the City at local, state and national organizations and at professional activities to maintain the image of the City and to create public support for departmental programs.
• Conducts public meetings, testifies in court and before legislative bodies at the state and federal government, and prepares reports to resolve problems, coordinate activities, and provide information.
• Leads and coordinates programs and resource allocations with other executives and management from internal and external agencies; develops and implements work policies, procedures, and compliance measures.
• Oversees and provides executive management in all hiring, work assignments, scheduling, performance evaluations, and other personnel actions to ensure productivity and quality standards are maintained; monitors progress of service delivery elements through strategies and procedures to effectively utilize resources and services.
• Manages community engagement and communication strategies for internal and external customers.
• Manages and coordinates special research requests and coordinates responses to the City Manager or City Council to provide accurate and timely results.
• Leads and directors activities to ensure overall program and financial management, organization, and regulatory compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other regulatory agencies.
• Oversees and participates in the administration and development of the department's operating budget; makes recommendations to the Director to solve budget or funding issues and provides critical feedback for resource allocation; reviews reports and makes suggestions or changes based on recordable metrics.
• Performs any and all other work as needed or assigned.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of departmental, city, state, and federal standards that affect utilities.
• Knowledge of public procurement regulations for municipal governments, utility districts, federal regulations, and ability to negotiate contracts.
• Thorough knowledge of business principles, practices and techniques used in department management of operating finance, debt issuance and management, engineering and/or operations for city and regional service provision.
• Ability to apply codes, regulations and advanced understanding of industry technologies and applications.
• Knowledge of utility systems, utility best practices, financial reporting, forecasting, development, and financial administration of operations, maintenance, and capital investments.
• Knowledge and application of personnel management, including but not limited to skilled trades, trades and professional positions.
• Knowledge of strategic long-range planning and implementation in a dynamic and fast paced environment, maintaining policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulation.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing and negotiate with technical staff, consultants, contractors, governmental agencies, city management, residents and businesses.
• Ability to write highly technical and non-technical reports.
• Knowledge of presentation and public speaking skills with the ability to tailor the message to the audience.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Work Experience

10 years of progressive management experience in Business Operations, Customer Operations, and/or related field, including experience in managing and directing a complex organization at a senior level. Qualified candidates will have experience managing large operating budgets, utility customer operations, process optimization, and/or field operations. 

Education

Qualified candidates will have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, sciences, finance, public administration, or other related field. 

A Master’s degree in Public Administration, or a related field and experience with public-private partnerships are preferred.