Director of Utilities
City of San Marcos, TX
The Utilities Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for the City's Water, Wastewater, and Electric Utilities, ensuring reliable, high-quality services that support community growth and sustainability. This position aligns departmental planning, policies, procedures, personnel, and budget with the strategic direction of the City Manager's Office while embracing our core values of customer experience, innovation, integrity, teamwork, and professionalism. The role directs operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and long-range planning for multiple utility systems, while also guiding departmental programs and budgets. The Director supports City Council and the City Manager's Office and represents the City with partner agencies, boards, commissions and community stakeholders to advance organizational goals.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following list highlights the main responsibilities of this position. While it covers the core tasks, it may not include every duty that could be assigned. Employees may be asked to take on other responsibilities as needed to support the team and department.
Provides strategic leadership for the Utilities Department, setting goals and priorities; oversees departmental operations, policies, procedures, and long-range planning to ensure reliable delivery of water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and electric services.
Aligns departmental planning, personnel management, and budgeting with organizational priorities; evaluates resource needs and ensures operational performance, safety, regulatory compliance, and service quality.
Leads technical and analytical utility planning efforts, including system studies, forecasting, and evaluation of options to support municipal goals and future capacity needs.
Oversees departmental financial performance, including development and administration of budgets, authorization of expenditures, and monitoring of service and productivity standards.
Advises and collaborates with executive leadership and City departments on utility operations, policy matters, and strategic initiatives; prepares reports and secures required approvals from governing bodies.
Negotiates and administers contracts related to utility operations, maintenance, construction, and system improvements; participates in Capital Improvement Planning, rate modeling, and coordination of infrastructure design and development activities.
Serves as a liaison with utility customers, regulatory agencies, community partners, developers, and other stakeholders to facilitate projects, support compliance, provide education, and resolve inquiries or concerns.
Provides leadership and oversight for departmental staff, including supervision, performance evaluation, training, and support for team development; ensures adherence to departmental policies and operational standards.
Represents the City on boards, committees, and professional forums; participates in regulatory meetings, legislative sessions, and industry training; performs other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS & PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or related field is required.
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible related experience in management in the electric power and water utility industry, with five (5) years in senior level management.
Must possess a valid Texas Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Registration as a professional Engineer and master's degree is desirable.