ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES at City of Amarillo in Amarillo, TX

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES Location: Simms Municipal Building JOB TITLE: Assistant Director of Utilities - Operations JOB CLASS NUMBER: ADM301 PAY GRADE: 23 FLSA STATUS: Exempt BUSINESS UNIT NAME: Water Utilities REPORTS TO: Director of Utilities - Operations SUPERVISORY WORK: Supervises SUMMARY This position is responsible for the overall leadership, coordination, and performance of the City of Amarillo’s water and wastewater operations, including water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution, collection systems, pump stations, and well fields. The Assistant Director oversees four operational divisions through direct supervision of superintendents and ensures the reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of critical utility infrastructure. This role operates within a complex and high-demand environment, balancing daily operational performance with long-term system sustainability. The Assistant Director provides strategic and operational leadership across multiple facilities, including aging infrastructure requiring ongoing rehabilitation and investment. In addition to operational oversight, this position plays a key role in the planning, coordination, and execution of capital improvement programs across all utility divisions. The Assistant Director works closely with internal teams, consultants, and contractors to ensure that infrastructure improvements align with operational needs, regulatory requirements, and long-term system goals. This position serves as a key member of the Utilities leadership team, working in close coordination with the Director of Utilities – Regulatory Compliance and Director of Utilities – Operations. Safety is primary value at the City of Amarillo: We expect every employee: to 1) Strictly follow safety policies, rules, and safe work methods. 2) Promptly correct or report safety hazards or unsafe conditions. Immediately report injuries for prompt diagnosis and treatment. 3) Make regular suggestions for safety process improvements to support continuous safety improvement. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Operations & Maintenance Oversight Provides leadership and oversight of all water and wastewater operations, including treatment plants, distribution systems, collection systems, pump stations, and well fields Ensures reliability and performance of infrastructure through proactive maintenance strategies and operational planning Oversees and supports superintendents in managing day-to-day operations across all utility divisions Drives continuous improvement in operational efficiency, asset utilization, and system performance Promotes consistency in operational standards, procedures, and performance expectations across divisions Capital Planning & Infrastructure Coordinates with engineering teams, consultants, and contractors on capital improvement projects across all utility divisions Provides critical operational input into design, constructability, phasing, and implementation of capital projects Supports the development and execution of division-specific Capital Improvement Programs (CIP) Identifies infrastructure risks and prioritizes rehabilitation, replacement, and expansion needs Ensures that new and rehabilitated infrastructure aligns with long-term operational and maintenance requirements Leadership & Workforce Development Directly supervises four superintendents responsible for wastewater treatment, water treatment/production, distribution, and collection systems Develops a high-performing leadership team capable of managing complex and evolving operational challenges Ensures staff readiness for both current operations and future system expansion Promotes a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement Supports training, development, and succession planning across all operational divisions Administrative & Strategic Functions Assists in development and management of operating and capital budgets across multiple divisions Supports procurement, contract management, and resource allocation decisions Addresses public concerns, operational issues, and interdepartmental coordination Serves as Acting Director of Utilities – Operations during the Director’s absence Collaborates with executive leadership to align operational strategies with City priorities Performs other job-related duties as assigned MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Construction Management, Public Administration, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, licensing, and progressively responsible experience in water or wastewater utility operations, maintenance, engineering, or infrastructure management. Candidates utilizing equivalent experience in lieu of a degree must demonstrate substantial operational leadership experience and must be actively working toward completion of an approved degree program within a reasonable timeframe as determined by the City. Requires a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in water or wastewater utility operations, maintenance, engineering, infrastructure management, or related utility leadership functions, including supervisory or management experience in a complex operational environment. Professional Engineer (PE) license, Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, and/or Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) water or wastewater operator licensing is preferred. Experience with capital improvement planning, infrastructure rehabilitation, asset management, regulatory compliance, and large-scale utility operations is strongly preferred. Requires a valid Texas Driver’s License. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Strong knowledge of water and wastewater systems, including treatment, distribution, and collection Knowledge of asset management principles and lifecycle cost optimization Understanding of regulatory frameworks governing water and wastewater utilities Ability to lead and manage multiple operational divisions simultaneously Ability to develop and implement strategic operational and capital plans Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence across teams Ability to manage budgets, contracts, and procurement processes Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with staff, leadership, and external partners Knowledge of safety principles and practices in utility operations Ability to analyze complex operational challenges and implement effective solutions ADA PROFILE Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is required to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.  The employee must also walk, balance, climb, crawl, crouch, kneel, stand, stoop, sit, hear, feel, finger, grasp, reach, handle, pull, push, speak, see, and talk. Also requires the ability to make rational decisions and perform repetitive motions. WORK ENVIRONMENT The employee works in a dynamic environment that requires being sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs.  The employee handles crisis situations that require major decisions involving people, resources, and property. The City of Amarillo is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages applications from eligible and qualified persons regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status, in compliance with applicable federal, state and local law. The City of Amarillo provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case by case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 806-378-4294.