Director Administration - Utility Finance

Job Title

Join the City of Chattanooga Team

Location

455 Moccasin Bend Rd, Chattanooga, TN, 37405, US

Job Description

The City of Chattanooga was recently designated as a "National Park City," the first of its kind in the United States. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation's first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network.

Our Organization

As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

• Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
• Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
• Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
• Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
• Innovation: Leading-edge smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.

Why Choose Chattanooga?

The City of Chattanooga's workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees.
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
• The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground: Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it. As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
• Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
• Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
• Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.

Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you'd like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we'd love to talk to you.

Salary and Work Hours

Salary: WWFG.15E $93,788.00 - $112,546.00 per year

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. (EST)*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*

Essential Functions

Direct and lead the day-to-day activities and operations of the following utility work areas: Sewer billing; Blanket contracts, procurement, invoicing, and requisitioning; Capital contracts, procurement, invoicing, and requisitioning; Division payroll functions; Warehouse services, including asset management, procurement, and storage of equipment, parts, and other supplies; Budget, both operating and capital; Work order management.

May develop and administer the division budget; provides overall fiscal oversight to the division-wide budget, including procurement and budget policies and procedures, approvals of requisitions and change orders. Approves expenditures; reviews financial statements. Maintains the utility financial model.

Proposes an annual budget ordinance that includes (when required) annual rate and fee increases.

Leads financial planning to ensure the short and long-term fiscal health of the utility and enterprise fund.

Serves as staff lead for engagement with state and federal officials regarding state and federal utility loan programs, including SRF and WIFIA.

May work with consultants, develop and oversee the annual capital budget and program.

Manages and oversees accounting, invoicing, revenue collection, and fund disbursement activities.

Analyzes, compiles, and communicates financial data to assist in decision-making.

Oversees purchasing and warehousing functions. Monitors contracts for compliance with guidelines and specifications.

Directs staff, to include prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained appropriately; ensuring employees follow policies and procedures as required by the City Employee Instruction Guide; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.

Leads the day-to-day activities of applicable division work groups, which include planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, and standards.

Oversight of department's personnel activities, including staffing, hiring process, employee actions, employee evaluations, discipline, salary administration, and employee relations in conjunction with the City's Human Resource Department.

Communicates and collaborates with internal departments, external consultants, vendors, external agencies, regulatory officials, and/or other interested parties to coordinate work activities, exchange information, and resolve problems.

Facilitates collaborative and innovative problem-solving and decision-making processes to address operational circumstances or operational issues. Serve on the Wastewater Leadership Team to ensure the execution of the division's mission and strategic plans and may act on behalf of the Deputy Administrator as requested.

Represents the City and/or the Regional Wastewater System at a variety of internal and/or external meetings, public events, training sessions, on committees, and/or other related events or groups in order to receive and/or convey information pertaining to City policy, projects, or programs. This includes managing the division's items on the City Council agenda and working with City and departmental staff on external communications with citizens and the news media.

May prepare, review, interpret, and analyze a variety of information, data, and reports; make recommendations based on findings; communicate pertinent information to internal and external parties.

May prepare resolutions and ordinances, requests for proposal, MOUs, and other documentation

Directs and manages subordinate wastewater utility staff, to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations. Approves leave requests.

Performs departmental leadership duties, including developing policies, operating procedures, rules, regulations, and work methods, and makes recommendations for their improvement. Formulates long- and short-range goals and objectives for better operating efficiency. Evaluates staff procedures on a continuous basis; recommends and implements improvements where necessary. Interprets rules, policies, and procedures for staff members.

May drive and support continuous improvement activities related to safety, quality, and cost.

May represent the City of Chattanooga's interests towards suppliers and contractors.

May compile and provide reports related to the area of responsibility.

May cooperate and collaborate with groups and individuals across all departments and divisions, operations, engineering, and other service units, with a focus on achieving optimal results/solutions.

May perform all tasks and assignments in accordance with The City of Chattanooga's policies and procedures.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.