The Assistant Water Director is an integral member of the Water Department leadership team, supporting the Director in the oversight and coordination of daily operations. This position assists in administering, planning, and directing the construction, maintenance, and operation of the water utility’s treatment and distribution facilities, while providing operational expertise in water resource management. Provides strategic leadership in long-range infrastructure planning, asset management, and system resiliency initiatives.

The Assistant Director promotes organizational effectiveness, supports departmental leadership initiatives, and helps ensure regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and high-quality public service. In the Director’s absence, this position assumes full responsibility for departmental operations, which may include attending evening City Council and special meetings, as well as presenting information to elected officials, stakeholders, and the public.
This list may not include all tasks and/or knowledge which may be expected of the employee, nor does it cover all specific duties which may be required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Serves as the Lead Water Engineer and may act as Engineer of Record for water system capital projects. Responsibilities may include system modeling and capacity planning, review and sealing of engineering plans, development of engineering standards and specifications, and oversight of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) design and construction activities.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work of Water staff and divisions; assign and evaluate work activities, projects, and programs; regularly meet with staff to identify operational challenges, implement solutions, and drive performance improvements; ensure adherence to all safety protocols and regulatory requirements.
• Lead and support continuous improvement, organizational change, and community engagement by monitoring and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods, procedures, and systems; recommending appropriate service and staffing levels aligned with departmental policy and operational needs to foster public trust, transparency, and confidence in the City’s water systems and services.
• Lead and manage facility change initiatives, including planning, communication, and implementation of operational, procedural, and infrastructure changes to minimize disruption and ensure successful adoption by staff and stakeholders.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate Water personnel; coordinate professional development and skills enhancement training; address performance deficiencies; and implement discipline and termination procedures in accordance with policies and labor agreements.
• Manage and participate in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, priorities, and performance metrics; recommend and administer policies and procedures that support effective, efficient, and resilient water services.
• Conduct organizational, operational, and programmatic studies and investigations; analyze findings and recommend modifications to programs, policies, procedures, and facilities to support long-term sustainability and service excellence.
• Actively engage with the community to build and maintain public trust in the water system by responding to and resolving sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints, providing transparent communication, and incorporating community feedback into service and policy improvements.
• Attend and participate in professional organizations and meetings; remain current on emerging trends, technologies, regulations, and best practices in the water industry and apply relevant innovations to departmental operations.
• Research, prepare, and present detailed management reports and departmental analyses for internal leadership, City Council, regulatory agencies, contractors, consultants, vendors, and the public.
• Assist in the preparation and administration of the departmental budget, Capital Improvement Program with financing strategy, revenue and rate forecasting, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, operational needs, and fiscal responsibility.
• Analyze and design departmental work processes, operations, and construction project approaches to continuously enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop, recommend, revise, and enforce departmental and organizational standard operating procedures, City policies, and safety rules and regulations.
• Participate in personnel-related matters, including interviewing and selecting employees, reviewing performance evaluations, advising division managers, addressing employee complaints, and supporting workforce development and accountability.
• Assist in administering union contracts, including addressing grievances, recommending corrective actions, and ensuring consistent and fair application of labor agreements, in coordination with Human Resources.
• Administer comprehensive safety, compliance, and professional development programs to support workforce readiness, risk reduction, and continuous skill enhancement.
• Prepare and assist with presentations to City Council, Council Committees, Commissions, and community groups on departmental initiatives, system performance, facility changes, and strategic priorities when assigned.

General Skill Levels:
Knowledge of:

• Building and sustaining a culture of safety
• Principles and practices of engineering and/or utility operations.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation

Skills:

• Coaching and mentoring subordinates

Ability to:

• Deal with conflict effectively
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders

Education/Experience:
Required:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Civil, Environmental, or related engineering field from an ABET/EAC accredited program.
• Minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal water utility engineering and/or operations, including supervisory responsibility.
• Demonstrated experience in water treatment and distribution system design, construction oversight, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience working in a unionized environment.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in engineering, public administration, business administration, or related field.
• Ten (10)+ years of municipal utility leadership experience.

Certificate or Licenses:
Required:

• Possession and maintenance of an Illinois Driver’s License
• Possession of or the ability to obtain an Illinois EPA Public Water Supply Class C Operators License within eighteen months (18) months from the date of hire. Timeframe can be extended based on approval of the Water Director.

• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Illinois, or ability to obtain Illinois licensure within six (6) months of hire.

Preferred:

• Possession of or the ability to obtain an Illinois EPA Public Water Supply Class A Operators License within eighteen months (18) months from the date of hire. Timeframe can be extended based on approval of the Water Director.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment. Work requires driving to other office locations and other agency facilities in town or around the state for meetings, as well as visits to work sites and water treatment plant. Work includes attending meetings outside of normal work hours. There are no extraordinary physical demands on this position other than incidental outdoor work including occasional oversight work in dusty, moist or humid conditions and in a range of outdoor temperatures.