Utilities Services Director

PURPOSE

The Utilities Services Director supervises and directs the Utilities operations of the City, including water/wastewater, reclaimed, water treatment plants, utility engineering, and pollution control. The Director applies professional engineering, scientific, technological, and administrative skills and knowledge to lead, develop, and expand a broad range of municipal utilities projects. This includes the planning, designing, permitting, bidding, construction, operation, and maintenance of a typical public water treatment and distribution system, wastewater collection, and reclaimed water distribution. This position is responsible for the overall direction, including short-and-long-range planning and program objectives, compliance with all regulatory requirements, and protection of public health and the environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties and functions are intended to be representative of the type of tasks performed within this classification. They are not listed in any order of importance. The omission of specific statements of the duties or functions does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

UTILITIES OPERATIONS

• Provides overall guidance, direction, and leadership for all Utilities activities, programs, and projects
• Assists the City Engineer with plans review and approves utilities construction plans
• Plans, directs, and coordinates Utilities Division's work, employee training and safety, selecting new employees, employee relations, performance evaluations, and career development
• Directs development of procedures and controls to accurately and timely measure progress toward attainment of divisional objectives
• Participates in the selection of consultants and the development of project scope of services
• Coordinates with the City Engineer on all utility infrastructure design and engineering. Reviews approved utilities plans at meetings and by inspection before approval of water and sewer construction and connections by developers
• Liaises and coordinates Division activities with other private, public and regulatory agencies, such as Volusia County and St. Johns River Water Management District
• Prepares in the formulation of short and long-range programs of capital improvements
• Plans and executes the Utility Rate Study in a timely manner to secure division's proper operations and capital improvements.
• Updates Utilities Division goals and objectives in anticipation of and as a result of changes in the current environmental, legal, economic, and operating conditions
• Develops the scope of work for programs and projects affecting utility services to include capital projects, design management, implementation, and inspections and budget management
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures throughout all divisions
• Initiates personnel and employment actions for Utilities Division staff

WATER SYSTEM OPERATIONS

• Coordinates and participates in water quality pilot studies for water treatment and distribution systems
• Responsible for proper alternative water supply project planning and implementation
• Responsible for the St. Johns River Water Management District City's Consumptive Use Permit (CUP)
• Plans, organizes, and directs the repair, maintenance, operation, and construction of the City owned water, sewer, and reclaimed water infrastructure
• Formulates long range plans and cost estimates pertaining to the expansion of City owned water, sewer, and reclaimed water infrastructure
• Directs the preparation of plans, specifications, and contracts for the construction of water, sewer, transportation, and reclaimed water infrastructure

BUDGET AND REPORTS

• Applies for and manages loans and grants for the Division
• Manages project costs and directs in-house staff and outside consultants on assigned projects
• Prepares and tracks annual budget expenditures for Utilities Division
• Prepares and presents reports, such as bid proposals, deeds, environmental impact statements, and property and right-of-way descriptions
• Receives, reviews, prepares and/or submits various records and reports including budget reports, constructions plan, construction documents, engineering studies, financial reports, ordinances, memos, correspondence, etc.

COMPLIANCE AND REGUALTIONS

• Keeps the City abreast and in compliance with existing and emerging rules and regulations
• Responsible for City's Utility Code of Ordinances review, changes, and implementation
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, local, and City rules, regulations, and practices related to safety
• Oversees City's compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and Clean Water Act (CWA)
• Reviews water and sewer plant operation permits
• Plans, evaluates, and directs all policies and standards for the Utilities Division
• Directly supervises the Utilities Division
• Ensures employees adhere to department standards and safety protocols
• Initiates and makes recommendations for final approval, hiring, termination, performance evaluation, disciplinary, and/or commendatory actions for assigned personnel
• Represents the Department at meetings involving assigned activities
• All employees will have a role in the City's disaster preparation and/or disaster recovery efforts, as may be designated in the City Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering or another related field
• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience as a city engineer or director of utilities; five (5) of which have been in a supervisory capacity
• Experience in design, construction, and maintenance of utility systems
• A comparable amount of training, education, or experience can be substituted for the minimum qualifications
• Valid Florida Driver's License

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in Civil Engineering or another related engineering degree
• Professional Engineer (PE) designation
• Florida Class "A" certification in Water Plant Operations
• Previous experience working in a government or public sector environment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of utilities engineering
• Thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations as applicable to utilities
• Thorough knowledge of hydraulics and hydrology of water distribution and sewer collection
• Thorough knowledge of water treatment systems
• Thorough knowledge of safety practices in discipline and be able to recognize hazardous conditions
• General knowledge of mathematics and scientific rules and methods to direct division
• General knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and other related applications
• Ability to review engineering and architectural plans
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret work related documents
• Ability to identify problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions that are in accordance with laws, ordinance, and established practices
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management personnel, co-workers, outside agencies and the general public
• Ability to plan, direct, coordinate programs and activities and/or other major projects
• Ability to plan and evaluate work assignments of technical and professional personnel
• Ability to present technical information and project status at City Council meetings

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Works indoors and outdoors in various weather conditions
• Works in or with moving objects
• Works below ground level following safety procedures
• Exposure to noise, dust, fumes, gases, chemicals, grease or oils, electrical energy, slippery surfaces, uneven surfaces, in or with moving objects, offensive odors

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to lift, carry, push, pull, move, or manipulate up to forty pounds with proper mechanics or equipment
• Must be physically able to operate a vehicle, equipment, various hand, and/or power tools, etc.
• Tasks involve the regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and crawling

SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

• Visual (ex. depth perception, color vision)
• Sound
• Oral Communication(speaking/talking)
• Auditory Communication (hearing and understanding conversations)

Applications must be submitted by 06/28/2026 for consideration.

The City of Orange City is a Drug-Free Workplace.

Individuals selected for employment must first pass a background and driving history check before commencing work with the City of Orange City.