Utility Operations & Maintenance Division Director (Exec 3)

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility delivering vital services to Seattle residents and businesses, including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million regional customers. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with the community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of water and waste resources for future generations.

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity, valuing diverse life experiences and striving to create a welcoming workplace for all.

About the role

This position leads the Utility Operations & Maintenance Division, overseeing 95 professional and technical staff responsible for operating and maintaining SPU’s infrastructure, including:

• Drinking water pipes, pump stations, storage reservoirs, and elevated tanks
• Drainage and wastewater pump stations and combined sewer overflow facilities
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems for drinking water and drainage/wastewater

The division operates 24/7, including around-the-clock system operations and emergency maintenance response. It also manages the two-year apprenticeship program, which develops Water Pipe Workers and Drainage and Wastewater Collection System Workers as part of SPU’s workforce development efforts.

The division is a multidisciplinary team consisting of mechanics, electricians, machinists, pump station workers, storage maintenance crews, system operators, SCADA technicians, SCADA analysts, SCADA engineers, planner-schedulers, workforce development advisors, and administrators. This position reports to the Chief Operating Officer, Water Line of Business and Utility O&M Branch.

Responsibilities

• Oversee efficient and forward-looking operations and maintenance of SPU’s drinking water, drainage, wastewater, and SCADA systems
• Optimize drinking water delivery from watersheds to 1.5 million people, ensuring adequate quantity and pressure
• Monitor the drainage and wastewater system, identifying and resolving real-time issues
• Provide reliable SCADA monitoring and control for drinking water and drainage/wastewater systems
• Produce accurate analysis, data, reporting, and technical guidance to support operations, regulatory compliance, and system planning
• Manage emergency responses to mitigate public health and safety risks and property impacts
• Support Solid Waste with maintenance of the North and South Transfer Stations
• Oversee the apprenticeship program for Water Pipe Workers and Drainage and Wastewater Collection System Workers

Requirements

• Eight (8) years of increasingly responsible professional-level experience in a medium to large utility
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience
• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, Civil Engineering, Environmental Studies, or a related field (or two additional years of qualifying experience if no degree)

Desirable certifications: Washington State Distribution Manager IV certificate and/or Washington State Wastewater Operator Certification. Individuals eligible for certification through reciprocity will be considered. Combinations of education, training, certification, professional, and lived experience will be evaluated for comparability.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to create and foster a culture of empowerment and engagement through shared leadership
• Experience managing a large operations and maintenance function with a diverse workforce in a unionized environment
• Success utilizing key performance indicators/metrics to assess performance and drive organizational improvements
• Experience leading continuous performance improvement initiatives
• Commitment to the City’s Race and Social Justice initiative and values of access, opportunity, and sustainability
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong leadership in change management, team development, and service delivery excellence
• Collaborative leadership, effective communication, and ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders
• Strong customer service orientation and advanced critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities

Schedule

This position is fully in-person, 5 days a week, with requirements to respond to 24/7 emergencies as needed. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.

Pay

The full salary range for this position is $164,868.48 - $272,087.28 annually.

Benefits

• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and dependents
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Free Orca Pass
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities
• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment