Assistant General Manager

The Utilities Assistant General Manager serves in a principal leadership role and will provide responsible staff assistance to the Utilities General Manager which may include acting in their absence. Additionally, the Utilities Assistant General Manager will be responsible for providing daily direction and oversight for the Operations related divisions of Starkville Utilities.

• Manage multiple divisions within the Utilities Department which may include electric operations division, water treatment and production division, water distribution and collection division, wastewater treatment division, procurement and facilities division
• Assists with infrastructure master planning, capital improvement project implementation, and other aspects of long range planning as required.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of each of the different division goals, objectives, policies, and procedures. Monitor, evaluate, and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
• Develop goals, objectives, and performance measures for projects within programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Supervise and direct the activities of assigned division managers, participate in employee selection, assist in prioritizing work assignments, directs and maintains performance evaluation, employee development, disciplinary action, and complaint resolution.
• Serve as principal safety officer including oversight and management of safety training, education and compliance. Provides recommendations for safety related improvements related to personnel, operations, facilities, procedures, and preparedness.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of assigned division budgets; participate in rate review studies and the forecast of funds needed for capital improvements, staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approves expenditures and assists in implementing budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Provide responsible staff assistance to the Utilities General Manager; may act in the absence of the Utilities General Manager as assigned.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends, legal requirements, and innovations; recommend modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Serves as a liaison to the community and participates in engagement activities to promote the Utilities Department and the City of Starkville
• Research and respond to difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Utility Operations and construction project management.
• Design, construction, repair, and maintenance methods, materials, and equipment as it relates to public utility infrastructure.
• Labor, material and equipment task planning and tracking.
• Applicable laws, regulatory codes, and permits relevant to utility operations.
• Safety standards and best practices.
• Public procurement laws and processes related to construction and inventory.
• Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access and ability to learn new technology systems quickly and efficiently.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other mapping and design software.
• Supervisory Control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems oversight and management.
• Utility construction maps, plans, details, construction documents and specifications

Skill and Ability to:

• Display strong customer service and business acumen, with the ability to carefully evaluate and improve the organization’s efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity.
• Understand and work in a political, public-sector environment; and be flexible, thick-skinned, and able to adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong personnel management and employee relations skills; able to delegate authority and responsibility while promoting individual accountability.
• Comfortable making public presentations and establishing a high level of credibility with their audience.
• Flexible and adaptable;…