General Manager - Military Services Group

Primary Role

The General Manager of Operations is primarily responsible for the delivery of all operations and maintenance activities required under the 50 year privatize utilities contract. Duties include planning, organizing and directing activities with respect to the respective contract operations, including water treatment facility distribution/collection systems and pump/lift stations, etc. as required by contract. This position is responsible for fostering cooperation between American Water (AW) operations and the Army Department of Public Works Departments and capital staff on new capital upgrades and repair & replacement projects.

Key Accountabilities

• Responsible for the overall safe operation and maintenance activities of the facilities associated with the project. Analyzes and evaluates operation, maintenance, and support functions. Initiates new or improved practices as necessary.
• Responsible for ensuring appropriate health and safety measures are established and carried out in system operations, management, and maintenance.
• Develops objectives to meet regulatory requirement efficiencies and productivity via continuous quality improvement and strategic planning. Organizes operations, maintenance, and support activities to maximize efficient use of available staff, equipment, and materials. Directly or indirectly supervises all staff assigned to the Project.
• Accountable for achieving state, federal and local standards for water regulatory requirements. Assures that all Federal Government, Human Resource, OSHA, Department of Labor notifications are displayed for all employees to view, checking periodically for compliance.
• Develops and oversees the annual O & M budget. Monitors and controls costs according to the R&R plan. Coordinates activities and supports the implementation of Capital Projects. Controls expenditures to meet or exceed budget expectations on an ongoing basis.
• Responsible for delivery of key reports and periodic updates to plans and manuals as defined in contract with the Government. Interacts with subordinates, supervisors, other agencies, and customer representatives to facilitate smooth system functioning.
• Performs other related functions as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills

• Able to build and sustain a collaborative, high performance team culture that encourages creativity, innovation, empowerment, and vision.
• Able to direct, coach, interact, mentor, and organize people to accomplish goals consistent with the organization’s objectives. Ability to lead managers and supervisors.
• Able to lead a strategic approach to developing long range Operational and Capital Project goals and objectives, developing a plan to reach these goals.
• Able to proactively introduce changes into the facility to address emerging issues.
• Able to encourage the effective use of technology to improve facility operations.

Knowledge/Skills Continued

• Able to institutionalize the concepts of continuous quality improvement activities, performance measures and benchmarking.
• Able to clearly articulate complex issues both verbally and in writing to technical and non-technical people.
• Able to plan, schedule, prioritize, and coordinate work within assigned work area.
• Able to respond to emergencies in a calm and levelheaded manner.
• Able to establish effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, customers, government officials, and the general public.
• Able to work in a team environment.
• Knowledge of water treatment processes and techniques, and management of water treatment systems; with an emphasis on iron and manganese removal, lime softening, and PFOA/PFOS removal.
• Knowledge of water distribution techniques, and management of water distribution systems.
• Knowledge of wastewater collection, and management of wastewater and stormwater collection systems; with an emphasis on combined sewers.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations.

Experience/Education

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in sanitary, chemical, civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering, public or business administration or other equivalent degree.
• Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the degree on a year for year basis
• Over seven (7) years of increasingly responsible management experience in utility, surface water and/or wastewater operations strongly including proven experience with financial operations involving one or more sites.
• Experience with both non-union and union environments preferred.

Travel Requirements

• Local travel to various worksites only

Certifications & Licenses

• Must possess a valid state (of residence) driver’s license.
• Kansas Department of Health and Environmental Water Supply Operator Class IV and KDHE Wastewater Operator Class II are required, or the ability to obtain one within 12 months.

Work Environment

• Both office and field environment.
• Must be physically able to work indoor or outdoor work during seasonal heat and cold, or other adverse weather conditions.

Competencies