JOB Under general supervision, the Water Utility Project Principal – Operational Services performs activities related to the planning, design, construction, and completion of water system projects. The position is intended to be the highest-level position in the water utility, specific to the operation of Water Utility infrastructure for regulatory compliance, efficiency, and project delivery The incumbent will be accountable for the quality, workflow, and cost of projects. The incumbent will be engaged at an interdisciplinary level for projects within the utility or in collaboration with other groups. In addition to project oversight, the incumbent is expected to assist in several operational areas: mentoring, training, utility planning, and assisting in tasks of other work groups. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are necessary.
The Water Utility Project Principal – Operational Services is the gatekeeper for projects related to the overall operational objectives of the Water Treatment Plant and remote sites. The incumbent will be accountable for enhancing and constructing water system infrastructure toward improved water quality to customers, efficiency in cost and workflow, and regulatory compliance. This role will be key person for a Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR) program and Lead & Copper Rule Revision implementation. Individual project costs for the Water Utility can exceed $30 million. The annual capital budget for the Water Utility averages about $25 million. It is essential that the incumbent has an in-depth understanding of water treatment process operations, water system regulatory requirements, and theory behind operational objectives. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
Scope of Responsibility:
The Project Manager is responsible for the quality and accuracy of his/her own work. Incumbent serves to establish benchmarks, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), timelines, and targets for utility projects and operations. The position requires a long-term approach to their scope of responsibility and will assist in mentoring and training other water utility staff. Incumbents are expected to be actively involved with decisions and planning for the utility in a team-oriented organization. The position is responsible for ensuring their workgroup maintains and assists the operations team, in a timely manner, to keep water quality and quantity production to serve the Water Utility demands.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
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Help Director or Assistant Director prepare agenda materials in preparation for meetings.
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Review and provide input in budgeting for projects and utility operations. Monitor project expenses and focus on project budget efficiencies, when possible. Prepare presentation materials and present them to advisory groups and utility staff, as needed.
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Plan and complete projects as various complexity and costs from start to finish area of expertise, multi-disciplinary projects, or projects that stretch comfort zones. Routinely provide status reports for long duration projects
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Work to ensure projects are completed within budget and on time.
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Coordinate with contractors and other stakeholders to ensure project requirements are met.
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Provide regular updates for projects to senior personnel with Water Utility and other City of Fargo personnel.
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Conducts a wide variety of special projects and services which may include but are not limited to strategic planning, project management of public facilities, assessment and evaluation of City services, and preparation of special reports.
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Serves as a liaison between the City/utility and various governmental units, non-profits, and community-based organizations; represents the City/utility in development of programs; answers questions from the public or City departments on utility actions as well as communicates utility actions and policies to appropriate individuals.
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Participates in the development, implementation, and reporting of Master Planning and the utility’s strategic plan and ensures that operationally relevant objectives of the strategic plan are being effectuated and achieved.
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Help set goals for Water Utility specifically within technical operational areas of expertise.
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Supports organizational development initiatives by working with the Human Resources Division, Utilities and the City’s Leadership Team to ensure the growth and optimization of employee abilities and competencies.
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Provides direction for the development and management of public information related to the services of the Utility. Assist with media interviews as needed.
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Develop and implement performance measurement systems that include Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for utility operations.
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Provide guidance to other utility staff regarding regulatory, compliance, inspections, and audits in specifically within operational areas of technical expertise.
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Complete projects that improve employee safety such as OSHA programs and other safety guidance.
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Assist in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS), Asset Management tools, and other projects to improve Water Utility operation and Capital Project planning.
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Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.
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Frequently interacts with the work unit, the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;
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Interaction occasionally includes negotiations involving convincing the other party to do something to achieve a basic work-related objective;
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Communications include responsibility for maintaining relationships that are key to the function;
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Responds to informational inquiries, complaints and requests from the general public, etc. regarding specific work situations, departmental policies and procedures, records and other matters concerning assessments. Resolves problems and concerns as necessary.
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Maintains a ‘hands-on’ approach to the position in helping water utility workgroups with the operations and maintenance of water utility equipment and facilities. With small workgroups and limited staffing, it is essential to help with ‘hands-on’ tasks in day-to-day workload.
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Act as local single point of contact for operational improvement projects towards utility staff, customers & other business contacts.
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Develop scope, timeline, estimated costs, Return-on-Investment analysis, training requirements, and other tasks needed for successful implementation.
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Create and help maintain a long-range Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for innovative improvement projects for the Water Utility.
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Serves as technical support for EPA water quality regulations and correspondence with regulatory agencies such as the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.
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Initiate and implement water treatment process optimization strategies for water quality and production costs that can include Advanced Treatment Technologies such as ozone, membrane system, biological filtration, Ultraviolet (UV) treatment and Advanced Oxidation.
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Complete data analysis and data mining of water system operations for a variety of purposes.
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Serve as technical/physical support of water system operations (water resources, water treatment and processes, water distribution and storage) for Water Utility personnel, other City departments, consulting engineers, and contractors.
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Serve as a key support person for Red River Valley Water Supply Project, Drought and Emergency Management Plan, and other drought-related tasks.
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Lead or assist in water system designs including water resources, water treatment and processes, and water distribution and storage.
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Analyze and provide suggestions related to improving user interfaces and data analysis tools for operational software such as Water Information Management Solutions (WIMS) reporting system, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS), and other computers systems that serve the utility.
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Represent water utility at regional stake holder meetings, improvement projects, master planning, media interviews/contacts, and public outreach/education opportunities.
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Prepare and show technical/training presentations for water utility staff, general public, committee meetings, and other outreach efforts.
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Obtain and maintain a water treatment operators certificate in the State of North Dakota.
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Other assigned duties and specialty projects.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Work is performed in a plant environment. Work is generally heavy with considerable variety. Daily work often involves moving between buildings and rooms. Occasional driving. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue. There is moderate attention to detail and deadlines.
Standing, walking, digital dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing.
Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required. To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.
