Assistant Director, Water & Wastewater Plants, (B254110-2), 216, Administration
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Location : Laredo, TX
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: B -2
Department: Utilities (41/42)
Division: Administration & General
Opening Date: 09/03/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
Job Description
Under the Direction of the Utilities Department, oversees water wastewater treatment plant operations and personnel. Ensures regulatory compliance with TCEQ, EPA, and OSHA standards. Manages long-term infrastructure investment strategies and planning. Leads process optimization, staffing, and emergency preparedness. Collaborates with Engineering Environmental Compliance, and Lab Divisions, Supports Director of Utilities in budgeting, reporting, and capital planning. Acts as an overall coordinator between consulting firms, utility companies, and contractors. Manage all projects from their design phase through construction.
Essential Functions/ Job Competencies/ Physical Requirements
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
- Directs and supervises the daily operations of superintendents and personnel at water and wastewater treatment facilities. Analyzes performance data and monitors operational KPIs. Ensures regulatory, safety, environmental compliance through proactive supervision and decision-making. Leads the implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), maintenance schedules, and plant optimization strategies.
- Assist in directing and managing the capital improvements for the Utilities Department providing for ongoing annual evaluation of infrastructure condition reports and new facility needs for current facility and projected growth demands in the future. Develop and manage the capital improvement plan; this duty includes the development through use of consulting services, staff participation in the development of water, and sewer masterplans.
- Assists in directing and managing the administrative functions of the department inclusive of the development and enforcement of policies and procedures for the annual current budget. As well as directing the preparation steps necessary for the new budget, including critical expense trend analysis along with the Business Manager to determine an accurate needs for proper operational budgets and capital investment needs. Prepares a final recommended budget for the Directors review and approval.
- Evaluates the implementation of the work plan, assignments, employee training and established work schedules. Responsibilities include job performance evaluations of Operations Manager, Engineering Manager, Business Manager and other personnel for his/her responsibility.
- Assists in the evaluation and analysis of water and wastewater system status and directs and manages the implementation strategic measures to monitor, rehabilitate and/or replace aged infrastructure in order to minimize customer service interruptions and/or pollution of the receiving waters.
- Assists in managing the Master Planning process by providing direction to professional services consultants of changing directions as well as plan amendments when growth changes occur.
- Supervise the Engineering division within the Utilities Department; recommends hiring and training of division personnel as well as conducting performance evaluations, respond to grievance and disciplinary appeals and other personnel actions to ensure productivity and quality standards are maintained.
- Responsible for planning and organizing the improvements of the water and wastewater systems; including plant expansions, improvements and modifications, booster stations, lift stations and line extensions.
- Prepares and implements a 10-year Capital Improvement Program.
- Coordinate with Engineering staff, consulting groups and the City to ensure long-range demands anticipated and all facilities constructed to meet current and future demands.
- Works with the City Engineer in planning and developing the Storm Water Master Plans/Drainage Master Plans on Watershed basis.
- Oversee the plat approval review process by the Engineering Division staff and recommend revisions to the City and consulting firms.
- Prepare, administer and monitor the annual budget for the operations of the Engineering Division and the Utilities Department's capital budget to ensure all interval control procedures are followed and cost effectiveness is achieved.
- Act as an overall coordinator between the Engineering Division staff and the City as well as utility companies, consulting firms and contractors for all water and wastewater improvements.
- Prepare City Council agenda items for the Engineering Division and make presentations to City Council as required. Prepare and supervise the preparation of specifications for capital improvement projects, purchase of new equipment and estimate project costs.
- Will be required to drive a City vehicle for City business use.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:
- Knowledge of basic accounting practices for project cost estimating.
- Knowledge of the Rules and Regulations under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Knowledge of the principles and methods of administration, organization and supervision.
- Knowledge of the appropriate communication procedures under municipal government. Knowledge of contractual documents and their interpretation.
- Knowledge of necessary employment needs for operation of water and wastewater treatment, distribution, and collection facilities.
- Knowledge of Asset Management and the effective administration of such project.
Skills and Abilities:
- Skilled in the use of a personal computer and its software to produce usable documents.
- Skilled in the management and supervisory techniques of working with management staff and labor personnel.
- Skilled in communicating project status to Director, City Managers, and members of the City Council.
- Skilled in the coordination and cooperation with staff members of all city departments for the efficient of city business.
- Skilled in training and teaching of management techniques to subordinates.
- Ability to administer a project for its planning stages to final completion.
- Ability to negotiate terms of a contract for the benefit of the city.
- Ability to review and understand levels of performance in water and wastewater system benchmarking.
- Ability to discuss and communicate in technical capacity with consulting professional services personnel.
- Ability to communicate technical information to subordinates and lay personnel.
- Ability to motivate and lead a group of personnel to the effective completion of a project.
- Ability to train and improve qualifications and skills of subordinate personnel.
- Ability to effectively work with consulting firms in completion of projects.
- Ability to establish cooperation within different departments.
- Ability to prepare, review, and interpret environmental plans and engineering specifications.
- Ability to plan and supervise the work of designated subordinates engaged in the Utilities Department.
- Ability to interpret repair and replacement schedules for infrastructure needs and provide change recommendations.
- Ability to develop repair to replacement calculations for infrastructure improvement strategies.
- Ability to maintain a valid Texas Driver License and a good driving record.
- Ability to project a positive and professional image of the City of Laredo.
- Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing in the English language.
- Ability to comply and make independent decisions in accordance with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
- Ability to maintain good health and physical condition sufficient to permit the full performance of the duties of the position.
- Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Ability to maintain good planning and organizational skills.
- Ability to take and follow directions from supervisor.
- Ability to give directions to and gain compliance from assigned staff.
- Ability to perform strenuous work and routine work.
- Ability to comply with all City of Laredo's policies and procedures.
COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Physical Effort Requirements
Position will have the following exposures
- Office or similar indoor environment, relatively free from unpleasant environmental conditions or hazards.
- Occasional exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Occasional outside work.
- Frequent exposure to unpleasant environmental conditions and/or hazards. Majority of work performed outside or with exposure to risk.
- Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Work Environment Locations
Position will require the employee to work in the following types of work environments
Seldom
- Confined space
- Warehouse environment
Sometimes
- Outdoor environment
- Street environment (near moving traffic)
- Construction site
Frequently
- Vehicles
Often
- Office or similar indoor environment
Exposures
Position will require the employee to be exposed to the following environmental elements
Seldom
- Individuals who are hostile or irate
- Individuals with known violent backgrounds
- Extreme cold (below 32 degrees
- Communicable diseases
- Moving mechanical parts
- Fumes or airborne particles
- Toxic or caustic chemicals or substances
Sometimes
- Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
- Loud noises (85+ decibels such as heavy trucks, jack hammers, construction)
Travel
Position will require the employee to travel
Sometimes
- Regional travel
- National travel
Seldom
- International travel
Minimum Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor's Degree from an accredited* college or university in Engineering, Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, or related field.
- At least seven (7) years of experience in water/wastewater treatment technologies and biological/chemical processes of which at least three (3) years are in a supervisory capacity.
*Council of Higher Education Accreditation
Valid Licenses and Certifications
Required Licenses or Certifications
- Valid Texas Driver License. If applicant holds an out-of-state license, a State of Texas Driver License must be obtained within 6 months of employment.
Preferred Licenses or Certifications:
- Water System Operator & Wastewater Operator License
As part of the minimum requirements for all positions with the City of Laredo, a thorough background check and certified school transcripts will be required from all applicants who are offered employment.
Effective February 24, 1997, all selected applicants are required to undergo a drug and alcohol test prior to employment.
Effective January 7, 2008, all persons in safety-sensitive functions/positions, as per City of Laredo Drug and Alcohol Policy definition, shall be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
A person with a disability who needs a reasonable accommodation related to a selection process is requested to contact the Human Resources Department at two days prior to the scheduled interview and/or test if applicable.
City of Laredo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled and Veteran Employer. We welcome differences in the form of gender, race, ethnicity, disability, geography, socioeconomic status, age, politics, religion, philosophy, sexual orientation, or gender identity. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply. Must be able to function in a principle-based organization that has a culture built on character and core values.
The City of Laredo provides a benefit compensation package that includes the following for all Full-time regular employees:
- 10 days of paid vacation per year
- 6 1/2 days sick leave per year
- Pension plan
- 16 paid Holidays
- Paid health*
- Dental plan*
- Life insurance*
For a full description of our benefits, please visit our website at: under Employee Benefits
01
Are you a current regular full-time or part-time City of Laredo employee?
- I am a full-time City of Laredo employee
- I am a part-time City of Laredo
- I am not a full-time or part-time City of Laredo employee
02
What is your highest level of education?
03
If you hold an Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's PhD, Juris Doctor, or Post Graduate Degree, please provide your major/minor:
04
Do you have at least seven (7) years of experience in water/wastewater treatment technologies and biological/chemical processes of which at least three (3) years are in a supervisory capacity?
- Yes
- No
05
From the experience you provided on your application, list the name of the agencies you performed these duties with:Note: Do not answer this question with "See Resume" or "See Application". Doing so will automatically disqualify your application from the process.
06
I understand that failure to complete ALL sections of my application, including the "Driver License" (if appicable), "Education", "Work Experience", "Certifications and Licenses" (if applicable), "Agency-Wide Questions", and "Job Specific Supplemental Questions" will result in my application not being processed.
- I have read and understood the above information.
- I have read and do not understand the above information. I will contact the Human Resources Department for further explanation.
Required Question
- Location:
- Laredo
- Job Type:
- PartTime