Operations and Construction Manager

Helix Water District is a progressive industry leader, providing high quality water, through an efficient and reliable system. Our innovative and dedicated employees and Board members maximize human and technological resources, providing superior service to our customers. Helix covers nearly 50 square miles and serves approximately 260,000 customers with 55,000 metered accounts in the cities of La Mesa, El Cajon, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, and the surrounding unincorporated areas.

Helix Water District is seeking an experienced, progressive, leader to join their Operations teams as the Operations and Construction Manager. This position is an exempt, management-level classification who plans, organizes and administers the district’s preventive maintenance programs and oversees the work of personnel engaged in the installation, maintenance and repair of the district’s infrastructure. The position directs the work of administrative and specialized skilled craft personnel engaged in the maintenance and repairs of facilities, fleet maintenance and warehousing. The Operations and Construction Manager is a key member of the District's management team. He/she provides direction and leadership to department staff and is responsible for a variety of areas and duties which includes: - Plans, organizes, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of assigned staff; develops, implements and monitors short- and long-term plans and goals in accordance with the district’s strategic plan and capital improvement plan; develops and monitors performance against the annual department budget; develops, implements and manages plans, work processes, policies, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards. - Plans and evaluates staff performance; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends merit increases and provides other rewards to recognize performance; recommends disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with district personnel policies and memorandums of understanding provisions. - Provides leadership and works with supervisors and staff to develop and retain competent employees through selection, compensation, training and day-to-day manage­ment practices that support the district’s mission and values. - Prepares or directs the preparation of a wide variety of studies and reports related to the department’s operational needs, and develops specific proposals and work plans to meet them. - Ensures operations and projects conform to district standards and specifications and department objectives. - Coordinates the work of the division with other departments, divisions, agencies and individuals, including members of the public. - Prepares the division’s annual operating, capital outlay and personnel budget recommendations; justifies budget requests and monitors expenditures against goals and objectives; analyzes maintenance and operating costs and takes necessary action to ensure efficient operation of the department. - Ensures compliance of division’s work to pertinent codes, regulations, guidelines and district specifications. - Procures and administers service, material and construction contracts as needed. - Ensures the district’s safety program and goals are implemented and carried out in the division; proposes safety requirements to be followed in the operation, maintenance and repair of a water system. - Monitors, researches, develops and recommends improvements, modifications, enhancements and changes to the department’s operations. - Confers with executive management regarding the operational needs and requirements of the division. - Prepares special or technical studies; develops recommendations to improve operations and construction procedures. - Responds to emergency situations as necessary, including those occurring after normal working hours, and will be required to fulfill after-hours rotational standby. - Provides leadership to the department’s personnel in the absence of the director of operations.

- Candidates for this position must possess training and experience substantially equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in civil engineering, public administration, business administration, or closely related field. - Qualified candidates will have a minimum of seven years of administrative and technical experience in the operation, maintenance and construction of a water utility, or closely related field which includes six years of supervisory experience. - Candidates will possess a valid State of California State Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution Operator Certificate, Grade 5 (D5), or the ability to obtain within five years. - A valid Class C California driver’s license and ability to maintain insurability under the district’s vehicle insurance policy. Candidates for this position should have the knowledge of following: * Principles and practices of public administration as they pertain to a water utility. * Administrative principles and methods including goal setting, program development and implementation, and employee supervision. * Principles and practices of budget development and administration. * Management and implementation of principles, techniques and equipment used in water utility operations, warehousing and fleet management. * Design and construction of underground utility infrastructure. * Standard construction methods and materials employed in the design and installation of water distribution systems. * Operation of public water distribution systems. * Safety regulations, safe work practices and safety equipment related to the work. * Codes, regulations and guidelines pertaining to the work. * Pertinent public contracting and solicitation codes and regulations including industry standard procurement processes. * Computer applications related to the work. Ability to: - Plan, assign, direct and coordinate a variety of functional specialties with overlapping work areas. - Manage and direct the operation of a water utility’s infrastructure, warehousing and fleet maintenance programs. - Select, motivate, evaluate, coach and counsel employees and supervisors and provide for their training and development. - Prepare, administer and monitor a division budget; analyze complex operational and administrative problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend or implement effective courses of action. - Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards and management controls. - Prepare clear and concise records, reports and effectively deliver public presentations. - Communicate effectively with staff, coworkers and elected officials including the general public. - Exercise independent judgment and initiative within general policy guidelines. - Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of the work. - Work after-hours and on weekends as necessary.