Division Director of Water and Sewer Utilities

The Division of Water and Sewer Utilities (DWSU) plays a vital role in supporting Frederick County’s infrastructure by ensuring residents have access to safe, clean drinking water and dependable wastewater services. Through responsible management and environmental stewardship, the Division works to protect the County’s natural resources while maintaining essential public services.

The Division’s work is carried out across five departments and one support office, which provide services in water purification and distribution, wastewater treatment and disposal, regulatory compliance, system maintenance, engineering and planning, and water and sewer billing.

Exempt (clothing allowance and professional organization membership dues eligible); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; full-benefits; partial telework may be available in accordance with Division policies

This position manages all operations related to the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities (DWSU) and is responsible for the development and administration of programs related to the operation and maintenance of water and sewer systems and infrastructure. Ensures compliance with local code and ordinances, as well as state and federal regulations regarding land, air, and water. Prepares and administers budget of all departments within the division. Interacts with various levels of outside parties, including residents and elected officials. Manages Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds and administers the Water and Sewer Capital Improvements Program. Supervision is received from the Chief Financial Officer. This position serves at the pleasure of the County Executive.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

• Lead with innovation by staying current on industry standards and best practices, incorporating emerging trends and evidence-based approaches into Division planning
• Develop, execute, and modify the Division’s Strategic Plan and set the overall direction for the Division through prioritizing projects; provide long and short-range goals and plans for program departments
• Plan, coordinate, and supervise the overall operation of the Division of Water and Sewer Utilities
• Review, approve, and prepare Division staff memoranda for presentation to the County Executive, Chief Financial Officer, or Elected Officials
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, or standards related to Water and Sewer Utilities operations and safety
• Provide technical advice and assistance to the County Executive, Chief Administrative Officer, and Chief Financial Officer on utilities-related matters
• Collaborate with the County Attorney on legislative and regulatory changes, contract disputes, litigation matters, and enforcement actions
• Coordinate with public, State, and Federal agencies on project development, permitting, and funding activities
• Respond to constituent and customer inquiries and resolve complaints involving water, or wastewater
• Oversee Capital Improvement Program (CIP) activities, including project planning, monitoring, and approving contract change orders within delegated authority limits
• Update the Water and Sewer Rules, Regulations, and related County ordinances through a public hearing process
• Prepare agreements, memoranda of understanding, contracts, property leases or purchases in collaboration with the County Attorney
• Prepare, review, and administer the annual operating and capital budgets and the capital improvement program, and account for the expenditure of funds
• Using an outcomes-based budgeting approach guide, oversee the development and monitoring of the Operating and Capital Budgets, present to the County Executive and the County Council
• Assist with drafting bid documents, reviewing proposals, and recommending contract awards for chemicals, services, and capital improvement projects
• Establish new programs and staff them, including initiatives such as Asset Management and Cross-connection Control
• Provide comprehensive leadership over all personnel management functions, including hiring, training, supervising, evaluating, and promoting staff; maintain required records, ensure accurate payroll and timekeeping, monitor staffing needs, and direct professional development to support a high-performing workforce
• Create and maintain relationships with local and County agencies and Federal and State regulatory agencies
• Participate in regulatory and professional groups and peer utility organizations
• Represent Frederick County Division of Water and Sewer Utilities, Frederick County Government and the County Executive to civic groups, committees, boards, organizations and other groups; attend meetings and conferences and make public presentations
• Promote diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging practices within the Division; confer with the Chief Equity and Inclusion Office to identify and execute strategies to ensure that all programs are designed and delivered using equitable practices; communicate values and expectations to management staff through policy creation, practice, and guidance; identify mechanism to monitor and evaluate efforts
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The essential duties do not cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Bachelors' degree in Business Management, Public Administration, Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of management experience working in the operation or engineering of water or wastewater treatment systems, which must include (experience areas may be concurrent)
  • Minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience
  • Minimum of 3 years of budget experience
• Possession of a valid driver's license

Substitution for the above-listed required education and experience is a Master’s degree in Business Management, Public Administration, Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field with 8 years of work experience as described above with at least 5 years of work experience supervising or managing staff and 3 years budget experience.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Extensive knowledge of water and sewer utility infrastructure, including treatment plants, pumping stations, storage tanks, transmission mains, and sanitary sewer interceptors
• Extensive knowledge of the water and wastewater industries, including regulatory, technical, laboratory, and environmental compliance requirements
• Extensive knowledge of biology, chemistry, and mathematics as applied to water and wastewater treatment processes
• Extensive knowledge of laws, regulations, ordinances, and safety requirements governing water and sewer utilities
• Extensive knowledge of hazards common to water and sewer operations and the ability to apply appropriate safety measures
• Extensive knowledge of quality control and quality assurance principles
• Extensive knowledge of public administration, including the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and procedures
• Extensive knowledge of budget development, financial analysis, water and sewer rate modeling and fiscal management for complex operating and capital programs
• Extensive knowledge of procurement practices, including bid preparation, proposal evaluation, and contract administration
• Advanced skill in program development, including designing, staffing, and implementing new operational and strategic initiatives
• Advanced skill in supervision, leadership, employee coaching, performance management, and administering disciplinary actions
• Advanced skill in preparing, reviewing, and presenting complex reports, memoranda, and recommendations to executive leadership and elected officials
• Advanced skill in conducting public hearings, public meetings, and processes involving updates to ordinances, rules, and regulations
• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Ability to assess operational data, identify irregularities, determine causes, and take appropriate corrective action in water and wastewater systems
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, schematics, and process/instrumentation diagrams, and utilize required technology, software, and equipment safely and effectively

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Related management experience at the local government level and/or private-sector management experience with similar professional and technical diversity and organization size
• Current registration as a Professional Engineer

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is constantly sitting, occasionally walking, performing repetitive motions and driving
• While working in this position, the employee is frequently working indoors

• Failure to meet or maintain the minimum qualifications or additional requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination
• Flexibility in routine work schedule to accommodate meetings, occasionally with short notice, at various times, including nights and weekends
• Ability to provide own transportation to other local and state-wide locations, as needed
• This position is considered essential during emergency events or at other times as determined by County leadership
• This position is designated as security-sensitive, requiring a satisfactory background investigation, conducted by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, in accordance with established Frederick County policy. Estimated completion time for this background investigation is 30 days.

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews
3. A pre-employment Security Sensitive background investigation