Water District Administrator Position

RYE WATER DISTRICT

DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Rye is a quaint, rural coastal vacation town and bedroom community in New Hampshire with a population of about 6,000. The Rye Water District has 1700 customers (85% of Rye or 4500 residents), 300 fire hydrants, 40 miles of infrastructure, three water tanks, three wells--one sand/gravel and two bedrock, land, landfill, buildings, equipment, four pumping facilities, one process control facility. It is very well run and its current infrastructure was recently rated A plus. We have an outstanding and committed team including a superintendent (18 years), business manager, two operators and three water commissioners.     

The Rye Water District, Rye, NH is accepting applications for the position of District Administrator.  Working under the direction of the Rye Water District Commissioners, the District Administrator will be responsible for the technical administrative and supervisory work in managing the operations of the Rye Water District.  Responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the Water District and staff. Position involves engineering work and activities related to Water District operations financial, budgetary, and planning aspects. The administrator must be able to work independently, but also as part of a small team. The work involves multiple projects and dealing with emerging priorities. The administrator reports directly to the Board of Commissioners and is charged with implementing the policies and initiatives of the Rye Water District.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all operations of the Rye Water District.
• Serves as liaison between the Town of Rye (Town Administrator, town department heads) and the Board of Commissioners.
• Directly supervises the work of the Business Manager and Superintendent.
• Coordinates and administers legal matters with the Water District Legal Counsel.
• Prepares, evaluates, and implements Water District budget; develops short- and long-term financial strategies; prepares Capital Improvement Program.
• Provides legislative direction/advice to the Board of Commissioners; works with Board of Commissioners in developing Water District priorities.
• In consultations with the Board of Commissioners, plans for all phases of the Water District’s responsibilities, develops and disseminates internal and external policies and procedures, and determines subordinate personnel’s authority and duties.
• Keeps the Board of Commissioners informed of operations. Oversees preparation of monthly and annual reports for presentation to the Board of Commissioners. Propose major methods, changes, and expenditures to the Board of Commissioners for their approval.
• Organizes and attends all regular meetings, special meetings, workshops, and public hearings of the Water District’s Board of Commissioners. Provides background information sufficient to keep the Board of Commissioners well informed and staff recommendations relative to matters at hand. Subsequently assigns appropriate action to implement Board of Commissioners directives. Performs related managerial functions as assigned by the Board of Commissioners.
• Coordinates employee training, employee performance reviews, and oversight of water operators’ licensing to ensure compliance with State and Federal requirements.
• Manages the selection, promotion, demotion, discipline, and termination of Water District personnel.
• Maintains current knowledge of Federal and State laws and regulations affecting Water District operations.
• Responds to customers in person and telephone inquiries, complaints, and requests.
• Responsible for public relations for the Water District including the dissemination of information to the news media.
• Responsible for the Water Districts’ water quality and quantity related actions and decisions; maintains regulatory compliance and resolution of compliance issues.
• Maintains appropriate controls to protect confidential information.
• Performs related work as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, or similar discipline. Ten years of experience in a water district or similar agency. A minimum of five years must be in supervision.

Knowledge of:

• Day-to-day maintenance, operations, structure, and function of water treatment and distribution systems.
• Budget development, analysis, and financial strategies.
• Long-range planning.
• Regulatory and legal requirements of a municipal water district.
• Interrelationship between water and land use decisions.
• Technology related to water resources and business management.

Ability to:

Communicate and interact effectively both with individuals and groups with varying levels of experience and expertise.  Plan, organize, schedule, and coordinate activities and set priorities under changing conditions.  Establish and maintain effective, pleasant, and cooperative working relationships with Board of Commissioners members, employees, officials, and the general public.  Supervise, motivate, inspect, and evaluate the work of employees and outside contractors.

Skill in:

• Thinking through complex issues and recommending sound alternatives and solutions.
• Water resource and conservation management.
• Negotiating complicated contracts.
• Principles and Practices of business management.
• Verbal and written communication.
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Licenses/Certificates

Possession of a valid motor vehicle operator’s license with a driving record acceptable to the District.  Possession of a valid New Hampshire Professional Engineers’ License is desired but not required.

Physical Requirements

Incumbent must be able to function in an office and field environment in work of a sedentary to moderately active nature, and perform the following, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Utilize vision, hearing, and speech.
• Utilize manual and finger dexterity.
• Walk on smooth and/or uneven surfaces.
• Climb ladders or steep surfaces.
• Stand upright and/or forward flexing.
• Twist, turn, bend and reach.
• Lift and/or carry 35 pounds maximum.
• Work in areas subject to exposure to wet, damp surfaces; dusts, mists, fumes, and high levels of noise; a variety of weather conditions; extremes of heat or cold.
• Wear personal protective equipment.

To Apply

Applications are welcome from individuals or organizations and must include the following materials: Applications are welcome from individuals or contract employees from environmental engineering firms"

• A letter of interest that speaks to the applicant’s interests and qualifications
• Images of relevant licenses and certifications
• A resume that describes the applicant's educational background and previous experiences (for organizations, this could be a corporate capability statement)
• The names and contact details of at least three references with whom the applicant has worked in the last 10 years (5 years is preferred).

Please submit all materials electronically to: commissioners.ryewater@comcast.net