Assistant Water Manager (Principal Civil Engineer) at City of Orange, CA

About the Department

Under general direction, oversees, coordinates, and reviews the work of staff performing difficult and complex professional, technical, and administrative support related to assigned programs and activities of the City’s Water Utility. The class may be assigned to either the Engineering and Water Quality Division or the Field Operations Division.* Both divisions include assisting with project planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operations of water utility systems, facilities, and related appurtenances, and other programs; assists in coordinating assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; provides complex and responsible support to the Water Manager, and others in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

*NOTE: The current vacancy is in the Engineering and Water Quality Division.

Position Duties

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of assigned water maintenance and operations projects and programs, including participating in capital improvement project planning, ensuring water quality and regulatory compliance, and coordinating the installation, construction, maintenance, and repair of water utility systems, facilities and equipment. 
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development and administration of assigned budgets.
• Participates in the development and standardization of procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends to the Water Manager.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Recommends and administers policies and procedures such as procedure guidelines, design standards, and standard plans and specifications while ensuring that operation and maintenance, financial, regulatory, and legal requirements are met.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposal for professional and/or construction services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; administers contracts after award.
• Meets and confers with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating water utility maintenance matters; provides information regarding City development requirements. 
• Prepares, reviews and completes various reports, which may include City Council agenda reports and division-related documentation and correspondence.
• Provides technical information and instruction regarding applicable procedures and methods; interprets and explains rules, regulations and procedures; answers questions and resolves concerns.
• Responds to and resolves various issues with residents, other departments representatives, and outside agencies.
• Serves as a liaison for the assigned division to other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings, as necessary; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces, as necessary; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Water Manager; develops and reviews staff reports related to assigned activities and services; may present information to the City Council and various commissions, committees, and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to water system maintenance and operations programs, policies, and procedures.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of water system maintenance and operations; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval. 
• Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• May act for the Water Manager in their absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

If assigned to Engineering and Water Quality Division: 

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the engineering and water quality unit in the Water Division.
• Analyzes civil engineering plan design, specifications, consultant and staff comments in accordance with design requirements, municipal and intergovernmental standards and regulations; recommends approval or additional engineering conditions and changes.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and project management.
• Principles and practices of budget and capital improvement program development, administration and accountability.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned functional area.
• Methods, materials and techniques used in the construction of public works projects.
• Contract management practices in a public agency setting.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, and procedures related to drinking water regulation including Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life.
• Practices researching operations and maintenance issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to water utilities operations and maintenance.
• Record keeping principles and procedures. 
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. 
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.

Ability to:

• Provide input and recommendations on the development of goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
• Administer complex and technical operations, maintenance, and related programs in an independent and cooperative manner.
• Plan, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff; train staff in work procedures.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

If assigned to Field Operations Division: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12^th) grade supplemented by college-level coursework and/or specialized technical training in a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in water utility or public works maintenance, including two (2) years of supervisory and/or administrative experience. A two-year or four-year college degree is preferred.
 
If assigned Engineering and Water Quality Division: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field and five (5) years of increasingly responsible civil engineering and/or water utility experience, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.

If assigned to Field Operations: 

• Valid Grade III Water Distribution Operator Certificate and Grade II Water Treatment Operator Certificate issued by State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).

If assigned to Engineering and Water Quality Division: 

• Valid certificate or registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California. 

Other Qualifications

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electric hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Disaster Service Worker
All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be “Disaster Service Workers.”  In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers.   Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees’ normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

City Mission, Vision, and Values

Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City’s Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors.  As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community.  The City’s values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.

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