Water Resources Manager

About the role

Thurston County Public Works is recruiting for a Water Resources Manager to join our dynamic, energetic, and innovative Water Resources team. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership and direction for the County’s water resources programs, oversee complex utility operations, and foster strong partnerships with employees, community members, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. Reporting directly to the Public Works Director, this position is responsible for the overall management of the Water Resources Division, which includes Stormwater Utility, Noxious Weeds and Water & Sewer Utilities. The work environment is an office setting in Olympia, Washington. The role may require travel to meetings, conferences, and site visits, and involves frequent interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County elected officials, leadership, staff, peers, and the public.

Responsibilities

• Directs department operations to achieve goals within budgeted funds and available personnel. Through subordinate supervisors, ensures that responsibilities, authority, and accountability of each work section are clearly defined.
• Monitors hiring, training, scheduling, and assignment of employees. Collaboratively works with the Human Resources Department in resolving matters regarding employee relations, labor relations, risk management, etc.
• Creates short and long-range development plans, including project timelines. Establishes current and long-range work programs, budgets, and staffing needs, including the annual update of the Capital Facilities Plan, drainage retrofit studies, and watershed studies.
• Develops and oversees operating and capital budget preparation, expenditure controls, revenue tracking, grant compliance, including identifying funding sources for projects.
• Develops, implements, and administers utility rate programs including establishing rates and charges, rebate program, and billing adjustments.
• Responsible for Water & Sewer Utilities and Stormwater Operations, which includes facility inspections, infrastructure asset management, and technical assistance, and 24‑hour response for service interruptions and emergencies, spills, and utility locate services.
• Responsible for the development, adoption, and implementation of the County's Drainage Design and Erosion Control Manual and serves as the Drainage Manual Administrator.
• Represents the County with professional, interagency, and intradepartmental groups to provide information regarding activities, present department plans and proposals, and to coordinate services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Urban or Regional Planning, Natural Resources, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field. Any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities may be considered.
• Five years of management‑level experience in managing storm water or utility operations with at least three years previous supervisory experience where responsibilities included leading a large team or work group.
• Must possess knowledge and experience in budget development, setting and administering utility rates, and grant management.
• Ability to utilize a personal computer and related software packages to perform word processing, research, data analysis, information retrieval, and