Utilities Operations Manager

Salary : $110,339.38 - $152,238.18 Annually
Location : Bellevue, WA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: 23-00612
Department: Utilities
Division: UT OpsMaint
Opening Date: 12/19/2023
Closing Date: 1/16/2024 11:59 PM Pacific
Come Join the City of Bellevue!
Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.
Job Summary
Are you a leader committed to continuous improvement and innovation while working in a world-class city department? Do you have a passion for public service?
Bellevue Utilities is looking for an experienced and motivated professional to join our Operations & Maintenance division as an Operations Manager.
This position manages the operations and maintenance of the Water, Wastewater, and Operations Sections of the Utilities Department, responsible for assigning and setting the work priorities, monitoring annual plans and budgets, establishing strategic direction, defining program objectives, and implementing policies and procedures.
This position also supports the City by identifying existing or future deficiencies, proposing solutions, supporting projects through to completion, coordinating with other staff, agencies and regional partners, and other important work detailed below.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manages personnel, performance issues, disciplinary measures, and the evaluation of subordinates, operational practices, and procedures.
• Recruits, selects, supervises, and evaluates technical and maintenance staff; provides direction to staff; ensures resolution of problems; sets priorities, establishes workloads and provides support in decision-making.
• Establishes and maintains a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork.
• Recommends policies and procedures; ensures effective implementation and adherence.
• Participate in budget preparation and administration for utility system; prepares cost estimates for budget recommendations; submits justifications; monitors and controls expenditures.
• Perform strategic planning and financial analysis, including preparation of budgets to include staffing and operational needs and work plans that address levels of service, staffing, and operational needs.
• Support programs to assess the condition of utility infrastructure using a variety of data and database software.
• Develop and manages programs, prepares annual plans including trend analysis, tracks maintenance costs.
• Participate in development and support of asset management including failures and claims documentations and presentations.
• Identify deficiencies in operations, maintenance, and service delivery systems; develops corrective programs.
• Manage, communicate, and coordinate with other city staff, external consultants, and outside agencies on operations & maintenance issues, impacts, benefits, requirements, and schedules.
• Respond to complex customer service requests.
• Represent division and department on multiple interdepartmental and interdivisional teams and committees.
• Perform conflict and dispute resolutions including union contract grievance resolutions.
• Perform presentations and training to all Operations and Maintenance staff.
• Manages and administers risk management issues, including claims administration.
• Provides technical expertise and leadership in assigned functional area; provides expertise for solving more complex electrical, maintenance and system problems as appropriate to position; assists with, performs or directs more complicated repairs and projects.
• May function as Incident Commander, providing leadership and strategic direction during department events.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Works under the general supervision of the Assistant Director, Operations & Maintenance.
• Exercises direct supervision of the Water Superintendent, Wastewater Superintendent, and the SCADA & Operations Supervisor.
• May supervise other professional, technical, maintenance, and administrative staff either directly or through subordinate supervisors, as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Knowledge of the principles, standard methods and practices of the operation and maintenance of water supply systems, wastewater collection, transmission, treatment, and operations/telemetry system.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of public and business administration as applied in a large organization including budget development, oversight and administration and contract development and administration.
• Ability to plan, assign, review, and supervise the work of direct reports.
• Ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation, and constructive performance reviews to staff, securing their respective commitments to the department's goals.
• Direct experience in leadership and supervision of field and technical staff involved in multiple functions and programs.
• Ability to develop, coordinate and promote training and cross-training programs and opportunities across the sections of the division for employee development.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department employees, other City departments, community officials, citizens, State and Federal officials.
• Understanding of the City's political environment and sensitivities; ability to function effectively within that environment.
• Customer service experience and ability to interact with internal/external client base. Able to communicate effectively with citizens, staff, crew, etc. both orally and in writing.
• Skill in using a personal computer, and data management software in performing duties.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally, and in writing.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited two-year college or university with an appropriate degree for utilities operational and/or maintenance disciplines.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible related experience in field operations and/or maintenance, including supervisory or lead-worker experience.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Certification as a Water Distribution Manager, Cross Connection Control Specialist, or Wastewater Collection Specialist are desired, but not required.

Supplemental Information
Physical Demands
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office and moderately loud when in the field.
• Work may periodically require the employee to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Questions when requested and can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

The City of Bellevue values diversity in its workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran's status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local laws.
At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The five essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: exceptional public service, stewardship, committee to employees, integrity, and innovation. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.
Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office at 425-452-6838 or If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.
The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.
For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.
** Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.**
The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!
Please Note: Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.
The following summary applies to fully benefited positions:
Medical
Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City's self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).
Dental
Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.
Vision
Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.
Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans:

• Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS): Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.
• City of Bellevue Municipal Employee's Benefit Trust (MEBT): Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.
• Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP): Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include:
More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Life/Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Long Term Disability (LTD)
• Survivor Income
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)
• An ORCA Card bus pass
• On-site fitness center, and self service food/coffee options
• Career development and training programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).
Please note that the City does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program, and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan. Any social security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced because they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.
NOTE: This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the City's non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its...