Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district. The City of Ames is also home to CyRide, our public transportation service for city residents, ISU students, and visitors.
We are currently in search of dynamic candidates to fill a recent opening for Assistant Director of Water and Pollution Control. This position reports directly to the Director of Water and Pollution Control and assists the Director in the overall management, administration, and operation of the Water and Pollution Control Department; performs professional engineering and other related work as required.
Examples of Essential Job Functions
Projects and fosters a passion for protecting public health and the environment through effective and visionary leadership on municipal water issues. Directly supervises the Administration Division’s engineering, technical, and intern staff. Assists in the selection, development, supervision, and discipline of employees throughout the department. Effectively fosters and encourages a culture of teamwork and camaraderie through the department. Serves as a key member of the departmental leadership team, provides input, guidance, and implementation of the overall long-term goals and direction of the department. Provides significant and integral contributions to the development of the annual Capital Improvements Plan budget and the annual operating budget as a means of implementing the long-range goals of the department; responsible for the overall implementation of the Capital Improvement Plan. May on occasion serve as a project manager, especially on critical studies and investigations. Represents the department in a positive way to the Ames City Council and other internal and external groups. Present on budgets, projects, polices, and initiatives in a way that builds support and trust in the utilities. Plays a key leadership role in advancing the City’s watershed and water quality improvement efforts; leads the wastewater utility’s non-point source nutrient reduction program; serves as a liaison to other City departments and various external watershed stakeholder groups. Oversees the utility’s Smart Water sustainability and conservation program; leads and coordinates the department’s public relations efforts. Participates in various educational outreach efforts. Serves as an official department spokesperson to the media. Responds to customer questions and concerns with empathy, concern, and timely resolution.
Implements and supports the decisions, determinations and policies of the Director and City organization. Directs the preparation and submission of periodic and special operating and financial reports. Authors grant applications and administers grants. Assists in the development and implementation of the department’s operational policies and procedures, consistent with collective bargaining agreements and City policy. Coordinates and confers with state and federal regulators on a wide variety of topics and activities. Oversees the development and implementation of departmental security measures and policies. Serves as a member of the Emergency Operations Center and in other disaster and emergency response roles.
Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; committing to diversity, equity and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.
Qualifications
Education and Experience: Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in civil, sanitary, chemical, environmental, or a closely related field of engineering; and three years of professional experience in water and/or wastewater utility operations; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. An advanced degree and supervisory experience preferred, but not required.
Licenses and Certificates: Must be licensed as a Professional Engineer in the State of Iowa within one year of date of employment. Must possess a valid driver’s license. Iowa water and/or wastewater operator license preferred, but not required.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the materials, machines, methods, techniques and equipment used in the construction, maintenance and repair of a water supply and distribution and wastewater treatment system; knowledge of management practices and methods and of operations of a water utility and wastewater treatment system; knowledge of the modern principles and practices of water and wastewater plant engineering and management; knowledge of principles and practices of modern human resource management; knowledge of the administrative rules and regulatory requirements that pertain to drinking water and wastewater systems in Iowa.
Ability to determine long-range needs for expansion and reconstruction and to plan and organize work for the efficient accomplishment of such objectives; ability to effectively coordinate the activities of supervisory personnel engaged in various water or wastewater activities and programs; ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with subordinates, City staff, representatives of other agencies, and the public; ability to speak and write effectively; ability to interpret and apply City personnel policies and procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.