Director of Administration

Rancho California Water District is currently seeking a well-qualified candidate to fill the Director of Administration position.

The Ideal Candidate…

The ideal candidate will be able to establish effective relationships with the community, elected officials, and staff, and be comfortable making presentations to the public. We are looking for a strong leader to manage several departments in support of the District’s mission and strategic objectives.

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Under direction of the General Manager (GM), directs plans and coordinates the district’s administration functions. Plans, organizes, and directs the Administration Division including, but not limited to, the information technology, geographic information systems, customer service, automated meter reading, utility billing, administrative services, records management, grant management and water use efficiency functions of the district.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is an executive management level classification with responsibility for directing a District division providing major and critical internal and external services. Responsibilities include organizational, budget and personnel administration for the assigned departments. Positions at this level report to the GM and direct the efforts of multiple department supervisors and other support staff. This job classification is unrepresented and “at-will.”

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversee and direct the District’s Information Technology (IT) and Geographic Information System (GIS), Grants and Water Use Efficiency, Administration and Customer Service departments.
• Provide strategic direction for the implementation, execution, security, maintenance and training of the overall information system infrastructure for the District. Monitor advancements in technology and makes recommendation for implementation.
• Participate in both short- and long-range planning activities.
• Review and evaluate work methods, procedures, services, and products; establish evaluation standards and criteria; monitor effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with District operational and personnel policies and procedures at the Division level.
• Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff; establish work standards and expectations; administer training programs and performance evaluations; counsel and discipline employees as required.
• Oversee the District’s utility billing, customer call center and automated meter reading functions; establish work methods and procedures; assign duties and evaluate results.
• Ensure high performance in water use efficiency and a customer-oriented approach that supports achieving water efficiency goals and objectives.
• Oversee and monitor grant funding opportunities, grant acquisitions and grant-funded project reporting.
• Oversee and manage District administrative functions including record retention and document management.
• Manage and maintain constant flow of work within the division. Set and control priorities, plan and coordinate special projects. Establish goals and objectives for all departments. Accountable for maintaining appropriate customer service levels.
• Recommend, implement and ensure compliance with operational policies and District’s rules and regulations. 
• Develop and administer the assigned budget; recommend expenditures for equipment, materials and staffing. Manage the department within approved budget guidelines.
• Lead, manage, and execute highly complex projects. Effectively and professionally interact with all levels of the organization and the public. Attend regularly scheduled Board of Directors and Committee meetings as required, making presentations and providing input/expertise regarding customer service issues. 
• Within assigned areas of accountability, serve as the District’s representative to professional, industry and community groups and customers and to other agencies, organizations, and individuals.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Complex principles and practices of public utility service including automated meter reading, utility billing, and customer service.
• General principles of public administration and management related to the implementation and evaluation of programs, policies, operations and services.
• Principles of employee supervision including training, development and performance evaluation.
• Operational characteristics of computer systems and data communications systems.
• Personal computers, including computer spreadsheets and utility billing system.
• Applicable laws, codes and regulations.
• Principles and practices of sound safety management.

Ability to:

• Implement and evaluate a full range of internal and external customer service-related functions.
• Evaluate operational and administrative problems and formulate effective strategies and solutions.
• Think creatively and seek solutions in order to produce results that benefit the District, its internal and external customers, while clearly articulating options to executives and policy makers.
• Exercise independent judgment and function effectively in a variety of difficult situations.
• Coordinate assigned activities with those of other external providers of service.
• Communicate both in oral and written form.
• Demonstrate effective management and interpersonal skills.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Administer an assigned department budget.
• Interpret and apply laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Comply with and enforce the District’s Safety, Health and Environmental standards.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

The essential functions of this position will require the employee to perform the following physical activities:

• Frequently use office equipment such as a computer, copier and FAX machine.
• Must be able to carry, push, pull, reach and lift materials and objects up to 25 lbs. 
• Extended standing, walking, sitting, reaching, stooping, and bending.
• Communicates verbally with District management, co-workers, and the public in face-to-face, one-on-one, and group meetings.
• Regularly uses a telephone or radio for communication.
• Ability to speak and hear both in person, by telephone, and radio.
• Vision within normal ranges with or without correction.
• Work in a temperature-controlled office environment with moderate noise.
• Occasional travel by automobile conducting District business. 
• Regular attendance.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

This position is classified as exempt from state and federal overtime pay provisions, because the duties and responsibilities meet the requirements for exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The position will be required to work varying hours, weekends and holidays as the day-to-day job duties may require.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

The appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities can be achieved through a variety of combinations of experience and training. A typical example is:

Experience: 

• Ten (10) years of experience with emphasis in some combination of information technology, administration, water use efficiency, grants administration and customer service.
• Five (5) years of experience at a supervisory level.
• Public Utility experience desirable.

Education/Training: 

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, computer science or related field.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Valid California driver’s license, required.