Job Information
CITY OF HOUSTON - DONALD J FLEMING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV) - Waste Water Operations in Houston, Texas
JOB CLASSIFICATION:ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV) DIVISION:HOUSTON WATER - WASTEWATER OPERATIONS REPORTING LOCATION:4545 GROVEWAY, HOUSTON, TX 77087 WORKDAYS and HOURS:MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM* *Subject to change
ABOUT HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS Houston Public Works (HPW) plays a vital role in ensuring a thriving and sustainable future for our city. We oversee the planning, operation, maintenance, construction management, and technical engineering of the City's public infrastructure, including our roadways, bridges, drainage systems, and parks. With a dedicated workforce of approximately 3,900 employees, we are constantly striving for excellence in delivering essential services to our community.
Houston Water consists of approximately 1,500 drinking water and wastewater professionals, including engineers, scientists facility operations, and maintenance personnel. The City of Houston Water and Wastewater Utility is a regulated public health agency governed by federal and state laws. Our staff maintains professional licenses issued by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and other public health agencies. The Wastewater Operations Branch has 465 facilities to operate and maintain, including 38 wastewater treatment plants, 374 lift stations, and nearly 6,200 miles of collection systems serving the greater Houston Metropolitan Area.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Wastewater Operations seeks an innovative leader who leads by example and solves complex problems by building strong teams, implementing industry best business practices, integrating technology, and cultivating professional relationships through excellent interpersonal skills.
Reporting to the Senior Assistant Director of Wastewater Operations, the Assistant Director will lead and manage the employees and activities within the Wastewater Operations Branch of Houston Water. More specifically, the Assistant Director will oversee and manage the EPA/DOJ Consent Decree (CD) and mandated requirements and compliance for the wastewater collection systems, as well as manage the Planning, Construction, Design, and Engineering teams to ensure compliance with all federal and state regulatory requirements, including the EPA/DOJ Consent Decree (CD). This position will be responsible for the overall operations of the Wastewater Sanitary Sewer System and rehabilitation, maintenance management; developing, analyzing, and monitoring key performance indicators to meet service and financial objectives; balancing resources, improving overall effectiveness and improving organization efficiencies; developing budgets; and ensures effective operations and regulatory compliance.
The Assistant Director will administer the Wastewater Operations Branch's operational policies and procedures. This includes revising as needed and conducting training to ensure adoption and interpretation; establishing operational objectives aligned with the City of Houston, TCEQ, and EPA required reporting; evaluating, promoting, and aligning the branch's operational practices with strategic vision, mission, and goals. The Assistant Director will manage all technical and operational functions to ensure compliance with all federal and state regulatory requirements and permits.
Additionally, the Assistant Director will respond to requests from the public, administration, City Council, and executive management; direct the development, implementation, and evaluation of program initiatives across multi-functional lines; and implement various programs to improve operational and financial efficiency.
This is a TIER 1 responsibility position with respect to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Most specifically, this means you are responsible for working and being available to work during a natural disaster or catastrophic event.
CORE VALUES In alignment with theHouston Public Works Five to Thrive Valueswe adhere to the following c re values:
Respect - we listen and care
- Lead a team of diverse skill sets with a focus on team building, communication, and alignment of goals to achieve organizational efficiencies.
- Develop health and safety practices and oversee compliance of those practices.
- Meet with team members and stakeholders to understand issues and explain operation policies, programs, objectives, and/or initiatives.
Ownership - we find solutions, instead of excuses
- Leads the team by providing general oversight and strategic planning initiatives to improve efficiencies, reporting, quality, and regulatory compliance.
- Assesses, manages, and mitigates the principal risks.
- Assesses current practices and management processes to implement an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, and procedures.
- Oversees emergency management for the team including ensuring staff are properly trained, and standard operating procedures are updated, distributed, and followed.
Communication - we are reliable and clear
- Monitors operational effectiveness through reports on status, adequate resources, feedback, and analytics.
- Establishes and coordinates a variety of special projects to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental operations, processes, and procedures.
- Works to ensure the department director's expectations are met and exceeded.
Integrity - we are truthful and keep our word
- Foster a team culture that promotes ethical practices, customer focus, and service and encourages individual integrity.
Teamwork - we work together
- Develop, in collaboration with the Senior Assistant Director, an annual operating plan that supports the long-term strategy.
- Oversees long-range planning for capital improvement projects, maintenance projects, and technology and service initiatives.
- Motivates and leads a high-performance management team.
WORKING CONDITIONS The position is physically comfortable, the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature and air conditions.
This is a Department of Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier I Level.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS Requires a bachelor's degree in business administration, Public Administration or a closely related field.
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