Watershed Management, Deputy Commissioner

Posting until filled

Salary commensurate with experience

At the City of Atlanta, we are passionate about building and improving our community. Our police officers, firefighters and building inspectors keep our citizens safe. Our Public Works staff keeps our City clean and helps maintain, build and improve our City’s infrastructure. Our City planners help envision and shape future City growth. Our Parks & Recreation professionals enhance our quality of life.

Our engineers help keep our drinking water clean, the largest airport in the world (by passenger volume) operating and our buildings maintained. Along with the host of Finance, Procurement, and Human Resources professionals whose support is vital, we are the City of Atlanta! If you are seeking a meaningful role where you can make a real difference improving and growing our City, we welcome you to explore the job opportunities we have to offer.

General Description and Classification Standards

Positions in this class are the top level of leadership, technical and operational department direction, reporting to the Commissioner of Watershed Management. The position directs a major aspect of the department, including Administration, Communications and Community Relations; Performance & Accountability; Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs, and Procurement Planning and Strategic Sourcing through a staff of seasoned, subordinate directors and other leadership staff. The Deputy Position implements operating policies and procedures, plans and manages budgets, directs operations, develops leadership and technical talent, develops and implements capital projects, and monitors and measures performance of the operations of the Office to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. 

Supervision Received

Positions are members of senior leadership in very large and critical City Department. As such, guidance received is largely strategic in nature, and feedback is collaborative among the Commissioner and the various Deputy Commissioners.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Provides strategic and operating direction to a major division of the Department of Watershed Management.
• Defines objectives and activities of each division under the Office for the purpose of achieving the goals of the Department, and assigns responsibilities to each work group. Reviews and approves operating plans and procedures developed by each functional group.
• Operates under the priorities of the Department; Customer Service, Workplace Safety, Environmental Compliance, and Operational Efficiency.
• Develops annual operating plans and collaborates with other senior department leadership to develop and propose budgets for the Office.
• Establishes performance and productivity expectations for each division of the Office; implements reporting systems and processes as necessary to monitor performance in accordance with key performance indicators a to maps progress against objectives. Reviews and verifies technical data and reports.
• Serves as an active member of the senior leadership team for the Department to develop and implement broad strategic initiatives and long-term operating plans. Works hours beyond 40 hours/week on occasion.
• Plans for the skill development of the Office to include leadership, technical professional, and skilled workers. Collaborates with subordinate directors and managers to plan essential training and development that will build, improve, or maintain appropriate job skills as well as emergency preparedness.
• As needed, presents technical information to the Mayor, Council, business groups, or the public. 
• Builds cooperative relationships with other Deputy Commissioners, with other City department staff, with counterparts in other water systems, and with appropriate regulatory officials. 
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of water resource technology, changes to appropriate state and federal water quality and environmental regulations, and tools of the trade.

Decision Making

High level decision making that impacts the Department and City water customers. Reviews, interprets, and applies departmental policies. Establishes responsibilities, organizational structure, work methods, timetables, performance standards, etc. for an Office of the Department.

Leadership Provided

Provides leadership and guidance to a group of experienced functional directors and managers. Guidance should typically be general in nature and focus on objectives, end results, and coaching. 

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities   This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully. It is not an exhaustive list.

• Overall broad knowledge of administrative/management functions, water/wastewater industry, strategic sourcing and procurement, legislative process and policy, strategic planning, community and stakeholder engagement, asset management and control, facilities management, auditing, etc.
• Skill in building cooperative teams of highly skilled personnel; in gaining employee commitment to improved productivity and quality; to instill in employees a sense of obligation to provide the City with a safe and reliable water supply. Skill in developing managerial and leadership skills in subordinate technical and operating staff.
• Ability to build productive working relationships with leadership and employees across departmental lines within the City, and across local jurisdictions; ability to present assigned group's operating priorities and plans to internal audiences, budget managers, the Mayor and City Council, and citizens as required

  Minimum Qualifications – Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Political Science, Engineering (civil/environmental, mechanical, or chemical), Science, or related area. Positions in this class will typically be expected to have academic background that is related to the broad area of responsibility.
• Minimum of fifteen years of leadership experience at the manager level or above in administration/management, operations, planning, design, or related function. Positions in this class will typically be expected to have demonstrated experience and accomplishments specifically related to the broad area of responsibility.

Preferred Education & Experience

• In addition to the minimum qualifications, JD or Ms in a related or complementary area is preferred.
• Leadership experience in private sector or government is also preferred.

Licensures and Certifications

None.

Essential Capabilities and Work Environment

Required physical, lifting, and sensory capabilities are requirements to perform the job successfully. Typical environmental conditions associated with job.