Operations Director - Water/Wastewater Utility at Essential Utilities

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities.  If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. 

At Aqua, we know that water is a precious resource – one that plays a critical role in sustaining life. That is why we take seriously our mission: protecting and providing Earth’s most essential resource. At Aqua, we are guided by a set of principles that embody the character of our company and inspire our work together. They are embedded within our business practices and our behavior. We are proud to be united by integrity, respect, and the pursuit of excellence to be the best we can be for the customers and communities we serve. Together, the women and men of Aqua America serve 1 million customers across eight states. Aqua uses science, technology, capital investments, and amazing talent to provide communities with clean, safe drinking water and responsibly return wastewater to our rivers and streams. Join our team and make a difference!

Are you looking for a fantastic career at Aqua? We have a terrific opportunity for a Director of Operations for water and wastewater field operations within the Illinois divisions. The Director of Operations will report directly to the President of Illinois and be responsible for the administration and operation of Illinois field operations. The successful candidate will oversee all personnel and ensure that Company goals are met.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Supervises staff including employee selection, mutual development of performance goals and measurements; performance evaluation; identifies training and growth opportunities; plans and directs work assignments; creates atmosphere of trust and support; fairly administers Company policies affecting staff; and communicates information for effective job performance.

• Drives operational excellence initiatives using continuous improvement methodologies focused on operating efficiency, cost control, environmental compliance, and health & safety.

• Prepares and administers operating and capital budgets within each division. Supervises maintenance and capital renovations and additions to water and wastewater systems.

• Assesses problems and events daily and assigns appropriate personnel to resolve accordingly.

• Interacts with customers regarding problems or issues, prioritizes and addresses them promptly; notifies customers of upcoming service adjustments or maintenance procedures.

• Works with business development to coordinate and negotiate with developers regarding new systems. Assist in the identification, due diligence, and smooth transition of acquisitions.

• Coordinates and negotiates with vendors regarding supplies and/or services needed. Hires and oversees work by contractors and subcontractors.

• Manages work of office personnel, field personnel and contractors, specifying modifications when necessary.

• Utilizes schematics, engineering drawings or other design work to facilitate procurement and/or completion of repair work, replacement parts and new installations.

• Interacts with regulators regarding current regulations, permit compliance and other matters regarding water and wastewater operations.

• Monitors lab results to ensure they are in compliance with acceptable operating procedures and regulatory requirements. Responsible for scheduling of all water monitoring tests, collection of samples, analyzing results and reporting to appropriate agencies. Overseas wastewater discharge monitoring reports to ensure that all facilities are operating efficiently and are in compliance.

• Institutes and supervises Aqua Illinois’ Safety Program in their area.

• Institutes and supervises program for effective vehicle and equipment maintenance.

• Works with others in the organization to develop performance matrices to assure that all resources are used in the most cost effective manner possible. Uses technology where appropriate to monitor and manage. Continues to maintain and search for new methods of increasing productivity and quality in the most cost effective manner within their area.

• Uses strong interpersonal skills to maintain courteous and respectful contact with customers, affiliated companies, vendors, developers and contractors, engineers, regulators, community leaders and attorneys.

• Responsible for Area Manager's adherence to the collective bargaining unit agreements within the divisions as well as being an active participant in union negotiations, grievance resolutions, and maintaining strong business agent relationships.

• Performs other duties as requested.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Engineering or related field and 7 years’ experience required.

• Ideal candidate will have an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Class A Drinking Water Certification as well as an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Class 1 Wastewater Certification. 

• Must have a valid U.S. Driver’s License.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely, and professionally) with internal customers.

• Strong customer service skills

• Ability to work well under pressure.

• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• A collaborator able to work effectively with colleagues and staff in a cross-functional, team-fostered multi-tasking environment.   

• Knowledge of Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act is highly desired.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Perform sedentary work- exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.

• See, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.           

• Working conditions include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities. 

• Time spent in the field involves exposure to the elements, noise, and potentially hazardous substances and conditions.

• Available for company travel up to 40% of time.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.  If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).  
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.