Assistant Director - Water Managment

Work, Serve, Thrive.  With the City of Durham  
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.

Hiring Range:  $104,475.00 - $167,146.00 
Work Day/Hours: 8:00 - 4:30 M - F

The City of Durham, NC seeks an innovative and knowledgeable water resource professional to serve as one of its Assistant Directors for the Department of Water Management (DWM). Joining a diverse community, the Assistant Director is one who values and embodies diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) – an empathetic leader with experience ensuring the integration of DEI practices in departmental policies, procedures, and interactions. The Assistant Director will navigate the demands and increase of expectations on the Water Management department and uphold high expectations and accountability of quality customer service delivery. The department desires a visionary leader with the natural ability to anticipate and forecast the needs of his/her supervisor, peers and other stakeholders and be proactive in meeting these needs. The Assistant Director will demonstrate outstanding project management competencies, lead with a customer service focus, and effectively coordinate with all internal departments in the city, external stakeholders, etc. for all projects including planning and funding the renewal and replacement of the City’s aging water/wastewater infrastructure and the DWM’s asset management program. 

 The Water Management Department is responsible for the operation and maintenance of Durham's water supply, water treatment and water reclamation (wastewater treatment) facilities, the collection and distribution systems (including meter reading), and customer billing services. With a budget of $60 million, and over 380 water professionals, the department delivers pure, clean drinking water to the people of Durham 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Quick response teams fix water main breaks, sewer overflows, and other emergencies. DWM also treats used water at reclamation facilities before safely returning it to the environment. 

 One hallmark of Durham’s Department of Water Management is the University of Water Management staff development program. This position will be a champion and advocate of this program. Additionally, the successful candidate will serve as the department liaison on the Durham Environmental Affairs Board.  

 Overseeing a budget of $11M and several divisions with 67 staff members, this Assistant Director will be one of three Assistant Directors for the Department of Water Management. The Assistant Directors work collaboratively to provide leadership, direction, and support for Water Resources Planning (including water efficiency and conservation), Laboratory, Industrial Waste Control, Utility Finance and Customer Billing Services, and administrative support for the Department of Water Management. The Assistant Director oversees the department’s administration division operations including direct supervision of the administrative staff and works with 7-8 direct reports who oversee division operations including customer billing. This Assistant Director will have the most outward facing responsibilities with the oversight of customer billing, public communications, water conservation, and industrial pretreatment. 

 The Assistant Director will have the exciting opportunity to work with staff, consultants, external agencies, stakeholders, and the public to develop and implement effective water resource management plans for the City of Durham. Furthermore, the Assistant Director will focus on enhancing protection of the Falls Lake and Jordan Lake watersheds – both safe and reliable sources of water for the city, especially during droughts.