Utilities Manager

POSITION TITLE

DEPARTMENT

TERM

SALARY

UTILITIES MANAGER

PUBLIC WORKS

Regular Full Time, Exempt

$117,713.70 - $130,793.00/year

NATURE AND SCOPE OF WORK

Reporting to the Director of Public Works, the Utilities Manager oversees municipal utility operations, including water treatment, wastewater treatment, water distribution, sewer collection, and related infrastructure. The role provides leadership in operational planning, service delivery, regulatory compliance, workforce supervision, contractor coordination, budgeting, and continuous improvement to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient utility services. The Utilities Manager exercises considerable independence in setting priorities, allocating resources, implementing approved programs, and supporting operational readiness.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Reports to the Director of Public Works.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Provides direct supervision and management oversight for assigned Utilities staff and other employees as assigned.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Leadership and Service Delivery

• Leads the planning, coordination, and delivery of utility operations and maintenance activities related to water treatment, wastewater treatment, water distribution, sewer collection, and associated infrastructure.
• Establishes operational priorities, work plans, and resource needs to support safe, efficient service delivery aligned with departmental objectives and approved budgets.
• Monitors the performance, condition, and reliability of utility systems and operations, identifying risks, improvements, and service enhancement opportunities.

People Leadership and Supervision

• Provides leadership, direction, supervision, and performance management for assigned staff, including workforce planning, training, coaching, employee development, and the establishment of clear expectations and accountability.
• Promotes a respectful, safety-focused workplace culture and ensures appropriate follow-up and continuous improvement related to incidents, hazards, and operational concerns.
• Contributes to a positive work environment by modelling a respectful workplace in accordance with City policy.

Planning, Budgeting, and Resource Management

• Assists in the preparation and administration of operating and capital budgets, including forecasting labour, materials, equipment, contracted services, and operational requirements.
• Monitors expenditures, job costing, and operational reporting to support financial accountability, decision-making, and effective use of municipal resources.

Projects, Contractors, and Capital Support

• Coordinates in-house projects and contracted work, including scope development, cost estimating, scheduling, contractor oversight, and quality assurance.
• Provides operational input into capital planning, project design, and construction to support service, safety, maintainability, and long-term performance.

Reporting, Coordination, and Continuous Improvement

• Prepares and reviews operational reports, recommendations, and supporting documentation for management decision-making, performance monitoring, and regulatory or corporate reporting.
• Maintains effective working relationships with internal departments, consultants, contractors, regulators, and external agencies in support of service delivery and departmental objectives.

Digital Systems & Asset Data Management

• Ensures the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of operational data entered in to systems to support asset lifecycle management, service level reporting, and evidence-based decision making.
• Works collaboratively with Information Technology, Finance, and GIS to support system configuration, enhancements, and integration, ensuring digital tools align with operational needs while maintaining corporate governance of systems and data.

Compliance, Safety, and Risk Management

• Ensures departmental activities comply with applicable legislation, regulatory approvals, municipal standards, safety requirements, and internal policies and procedures.
• Complies with the City’s occupational health and safety program and applicable legislative requirements; review incidents and accidents, recommend corrective actions, deliver safety orientations, and conduct safety meetings as required.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

CORE PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

• Service Excellence – strives to provide responsive, respectful, and high-quality public service.

• Resource Management – exercises responsible stewardship of public funds and ensures resources are used only where necessary, justified, and aligned with organizational priorities.

• Leadership – provides professional recommendations and supports respectful implementation of corporate direction.

• Innovation – respectfully challenges existing processes and identifies opportunities for improvement.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Communication – clearly conveys and receives information to meet the needs of others, including listening, interpreting, formulating, and delivering verbal, non-verbal, written, and electronic messages.

• Teamwork – works cooperatively and productively with others to achieve results.

• Problem Solving and Judgment – assesses options and implications in order to identify practical and effective solutions.

• Results Oriented – understands what results are important and focuses resources to achieve outcomes aligned with organizational goals.

• Adaptability – demonstrates the willingness and ability to work effectively through change.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in Civil Engineering, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, or an equivalent combination of education and progressively responsible experience in municipal utility operations.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible supervisory or management experience in municipal water and wastewater operations, utility infrastructure maintenance, or a related public works environment, preferably in a unionized setting.
• BC EOCP certification, or the ability to obtain and maintain certification, in applicable utility disciplines at levels appropriate to the City’s systems.
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s License.
• Ability to pass and maintain a Police Information Check.
• Knowledge of municipal utility systems, operational planning, regulatory compliance, project coordination, and service delivery standards.
• Knowledge of occupational health and safety practices, risk management principles, and safe work procedures applicable to utility operations.
• Ability to lead, supervise, and support staff through clear direction, accountability, coaching, employee development, and performance management.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate operations, projects, and resources in a dynamic municipal environment.
• Ability to analyze issues, exercise sound judgement, and make effective decisions aligned with service, safety, and compliance requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, departments, contractors, consultants, regulators, and external agencies.
• Skill in budget preparation, expenditure monitoring, contractor coordination, operational reporting, and resource administration.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office and municipal or operational software used for work management, reporting, and communication.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position involves a combination of office and field work. Physical demands may include walking, standing, climbing, and attending operational sites for inspections, meetings, and oversight activities. The role also requires periods of sitting, computer use, and occasional lifting or moving of items up to 25 lbs.

GENERAL

The position is expected to maintain satisfactory performance across all assigned responsibilities and annual work objectives. Performance expectations include sound judgement, effective leadership, reliability, sound decision-making, stewardship of resources, and alignment with departmental priorities and corporate standards. The quality of work will be measured against meaningful standards, service expectations, efficient use of resources, and achievement of operational and organizational objectives, recognizing unusual conditions that may affect outcomes.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference checks, and job-related testing may be required.