Salary: $95,327.00 - $123,925.00 Annually
Location : Columbia, SC
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:Department: UTILITIES
Division: Utilities Admin
Opening Date: 09/29/2026
Closing Date: 10/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: 120
Description This position assists the Director of Utility Operations in developing, planning and strategy to assure that Columbia Water is sustainable over time. Oversees development of utility master plans, manages Columbia Water's Capital Improvements Program (CIP), as well as other improvement programs. The incumbent manages and leads the effort in the continuing development and implementation of policies and strategies regarding Columbia Water infrastructure to ensure it delivers upon business needs and objectives including determination of asset life cycle, levels of service and effective maintenance levels, and definition of maintenance for water and wastewater infrastructure. This position develops, maintains and reports on Columbia Water's prioritized long term infrastructure capital improvement program based on agreed criteria supported by Columbia Water's risk framework and asset management plans. The incumbent provides strategic advice and support to other managers within Columbia Water to assist them in developing asset management/maintenance plans for assets under their respective control based on a sound understanding of condition assessment and criticality of those assets. This position reports directly to the Director of Utility Operations.
The work is considered sedentary in nature and involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: fingering, handling, hearing, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, visual acuity, and walking.
Work environment may involve exposure to bright / dim light, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, dusts and pollen, extreme noise levels, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery, and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.
Essential Job Functions - Plans, organizes and supervises all activities and operations of the Asset Management, CIP Management, Clean Water 2020 and Project Management groups, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards of quality and safety;
- Coordinates and facilitates periodic planning and strategy development workshops/meetings with Columbia Water management team;
- Manages the development of the Columbia Water utility master plans for treatment and conveyance;
- Oversees development of short and long range strategic goals;
- Develops, monitors and reviews performance criteria for effectiveness of programs, planning exercises and strategic activities;
- Oversees development of customer service and satisfaction strategies;
- Works closely with the Information Technology Department to enhance/expand customer portals to maintain high-level of customer satisfaction, improve customer communication and customer's use of Columbia Water's utility related technology;
- Oversees development, coordination and implementation of Columbia Water's five-year CIP;
- Participates in pre-bid conferences and bid openings as required;
- Participates in pre-construction conferences as required;
- Assists in execution of the strategy, leadership and management of the Clean Water 2020 Program as well as similar Columbia Water Program Management initiatives and directs high level strategic oversight of associated budgets;
- Oversees development, coordination, implementation, maintenance and operations of the asset management functions for Columbia Water;
- Monitors potential new regulations, potential growth of service areas and changes in customer expectations to assure that Columbia Water has a plan to meet these expectations without resorting to emergency measures;
- Works as part of the management team with the Assistant City Manager/Columbia Water, the Director of Utility Operations, the Director of Engineering, other Deputy Directors and Superintendents to strategically manage Columbia Water;
- Provides strategic advice and support to other managers within Columbia Water to assist them in developing asset management/maintenance plans for assets under their respective control based on a sound understanding of condition assessment and criticality;
- Develops, maintains and reports on Columbia Water's prioritized long term infrastructure capital improvement program based on agreed criteria supported by Columbia Water's risk framework and asset management plans;
- Manages and leads the team in the continuing development and implementation of policies and strategies regarding Columbia Water infrastructure to ensure it delivers upon business needs and objectives including determination of asset life cycle, levels of service and effective maintenance levels, and definition of maintenance for water and wastewater infrastructure;
- Assists in the development and management of potential rate changes;
- Manages a number of assigned subordinate supervisors and is ultimately responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the unit(s). Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the City's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems;
- Oversees special project work assignments with utility leaders in the areas of water quality, water treatment process, wastewater treatment process, water and/or wastewater compliance, environmental policy/regulation/legislative review, infrastructure assessment studies/projects, as required;
- Collaborates and facilitates communication between key stakeholders such as regulatory agencies (SCDHEC, US EPA, OSHA, etc.) attorneys, developers, consultants, contractors and cross-functional departments such as Budget and Finance, Information Technology and Human Resources;
- Oversees development and management of needs and prioritization metrics for future capital projects;
- May be required to work under emergency conditions;
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: - Bachelor's degree in engineering or closely related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in the design, construction, management or operation of water and wastewater or comparable systems, or any equivalent combination of education and experience;
- Professional Engineer in the State of South Carolina preferred;
- Valid South Carolina Driver's License.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - Ability to think strategically and anticipate potential future conditions and changes that could affect the management and operation of the Water, Wastewater, and Storm water utilities.
- Ability to work collaboratively as a team member to foster the overall improvement of the department.
- Ability to lead others and motivate them to a common purpose;
- Ability to apply concepts of advanced algebra, statistics and geometry to practical and abstract situations. Ability to develop and analyze budgets, complex spreadsheets, financial analyses, etc. Ability to calculate statistics, trends and make projections.
- Knowledge of personal computers and programs such as Microsoft Windows, Outlook, Excel and Word or similar software;
- Ability to gather, organize, analyze, examine or evaluate data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information;
- Ability to develop and write detailed technical reports;
- Ability to provide information, guidance or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give directions or assignments to helpers or assistants;
- Ability to handle or use machines, tools or equipment requiring brief instruction or experience, such as computers for data entry, fax machines, copiers, telephones or similar equipment; may service office machines, including adding paper and changing toner;
- Ability to perform coordinating work involving guidelines and rules, with constant problem-solving;
- Ability to read technical instructions, procedures, manuals and charts to solve practical problems; composing routine reports and specialized reports, forms and business letters with proper format; speaking compound sentences using normal grammar and word form;
- Ability to perform specialized technical or entry-level professional work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; application of specialized technical or professional principles and practices or the use of a wide range of administrative methods in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure; and
- Ability to guide others, requiring frequent decisions affecting co-workers and others who depend on the service or product; works in a somewhat fluid environment with rules and procedures but with many variations from the routine.
The City of Columbia is proud to offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees. This package includes health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Part-time or temporary employees, including interns, are not eligible for City benefits.
To learn more details, visit our benefits page at:
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Do you have a Bachelor's degree in engineering or closely related field?
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Do you have at least 7 years of experience in design, construction, management or operation of water and wastewater?
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Do you have a valid Driver's License?
Required Question
