Public Utilities Director

Salary: $131,328.00 - $156,443.00 Annually
Location : Public Utilities - 124 East Hancock Avenue, Athens, GA
Job Type: Appointed
Job Number:
Department: Public Utilities
Division: Admin
Opening Date: 11/08/2026
Closing Date: 12/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Purpose & Job Related Requirements
First review of applications begins on November 23, 2026

The Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County, GA seeks candidates for the position of DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC UTILITIES. The Director is the chief executive of Athens-Clarke County's water and wastewater utility. The Director is accountable for safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater service, for regulatory compliance, and, for the financial health of a self-supporting enterprise fund. The Director leads a workforce of more than 200 employees, sets the department's strategic direction, and advises the Manager, Mayor, and Commission on rates, capital investment, growth capacity, and water resource policy. The position represents the Unified Government with regional partners, regulators, and the community.

REPORTS TO: Executive Director of Engineering and Infrastructure/Deputy Manager
FLSA STATUS: Exempt - Executive
CLASSIFICATION: Regular Non-Merit; Serves at the discretion of the Manager.
PAY GRADE: 135; $131,328 - $156,443 depending on qualifications
SAFETY SENSITIVE: No

Purpose of JobThe Public Utilities Director is the chief executive of Athens-Clarke County's water and wastewater utility. The Director is accountable for safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater service, for regulatory compliance, and, for the financial health of a self-supporting enterprise fund. The Director leads a workforce of more than 200 employees, sets the department's strategic direction, and advises the Manager, Mayor, and Commission on rates, capital investment, growth capacity, and water resource policy. The position represents the Unified Government with regional partners, regulators, and the community.

Job Related Requirements
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm. Some evenings and weekends.
May be required to work on religious holidays.
Regular and predictable attendance is required.
Must work cooperatively with others.
When requirements include vehicle operation, responsible for the safety, readiness and operation of the vehicle, must abide by ACCGov's safe driving policy.

Emergency Position: This position responds to work during emergency events that may include inclement weather, utility failure, fire, forced evacuation, a state of emergency as declared by state or local authorities, or other emergency event as defined by the ACCGov Manager that closes ACCGov workstations.
Minimum Training & Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, or related discipline, with seven years of experience involving water/wastewater design, operations and maintenance of a similar sized system, to include two years of experience involving senior level management responsibilities required; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

Five years of supervisory experience is required.

Valid driver's license required.

Certification as a Georgia registered Professional Engineer (PE) or ability to obtain reciprocity within 90 days of employment preferred.

Master's Degree preferred.

Class I Water Treatment or Wastewater Treatment Certification preferred.
Essential Duties, Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Executive Leadership and Strategy

• Sets the department's vision, strategic plan, and performance measures in line with community and the Mayor and Commission's priorities; reports progress to the Manager, to the Mayor and Commission, and to the public.
• Leads, develops, and holds accountable division managers and staff; addresses personnel matters in coordination with Human Resources; and maintains a culture of safety, accountability, fiscal responsibility, and customer service.
• Builds and maintains succession plans, training, and operator certification pathways to recruit and retain a skilled operations and maintenance workforce and leadership team.

Operations and Compliance

• Ensures water treatment, distribution, wastewater collection, and water reclamation operations comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Clean Water Act, Georgia Environmental Protection Division rules, and NPDES and other permit conditions.
• Plans, directs and coordinates departmental activities, goals and objectives, including conferring with subordinates, making recommendations concerning personnel matters, and reviewing weekly and monthly reports and records.
• Anticipates and prepares the utility for evolving requirements, including lead service line, PFAS, and other emerging contaminants, and nutrient discharge standards.
• Supervises and evaluates assigned staff, handles all employee concerns, directs work assignments, counsels and disciplines employees when necessary, and completes employee performance appraisals.
• Directs asset management, condition assessment, and preventive maintenance programs using hydraulic modeling, GIS, SCADA, maintenance management systems, and metering technology to reduce I&I, main breaks, sewer overflows, and service interruptions.

Financial Management and Capital Planning

• Prepares and manages the department's operating and capital budgets; monitors expenditures under current budget.
• Develops water and sewer rate structures and multi-year rate forecasts that fund the operating and capital needs of the enterprise, meet reserve and debt coverage requirements, and account for customer affordability.
• Develops financing strategies for the capital program, including revenue bonds, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority loans, and state and federal grants; supports rating agency reviews and continuing disclosure.
• Oversees the operations of the Water Billing Office to ensure that excellent customer service is used in the timely and accurate implementation of monthly bills.
• Implements bill pay assistance programs to help low-income residents.
• Uses a Service Delivery Plan to master plan for water supply, treatment, distribution, collection, and reclamation capacity based on growth projections and asset condition, which are then used to regularly develop and maintain the short- and long-term capital improvement plan.
• Oversees planning, design, procurement, and construction of capital projects, including the management of consultants and contractors; ensures projects meet scope, schedule, budget, and quality standards.

Environmental Protection and Resilience

• Directs the department's response to main breaks, treatment disruptions, spills, severe weather, and other emergencies.
• Supports ACCGov's clean energy goals by integrating energy conservation and renewable energy generation into the department's operations.
• Develops and manages a water supply portfolio from a variety of sources, including the adaptive reuse of a publicly owned rock quarry; leads conservation and drought response planning.
• Maintains the utility's risk and resilience assessment and emergency response plan; partners with Information Technology on cybersecurity for operational technology and SCADA systems.
• Implements, expands, and promotes the use of a recycled water system (purple pipe) to offset water needs from larger users in target areas.
• Oversees a Water Conservation Office that incentivizes efficient use through education, rate structures, and targeted intervention.
• Designs and constructs new infrastructure projects in a manner that balances legal compliance, environmental impact, reliability, and cost efficiency.
• Serves in the Emergency Operations Center during emergency events to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of water and sewer services.

Intergovernmental Coordination and Public Relations

• Represents the Unified Government on the Upper Oconee Basin Water Authority and regional water planning bodies; manages raw water supply and interjurisdictional service agreements.
• Serves as primary liaison to Georgia EPD, U.S. EPA, GEFA, and other regulatory and funding agencies.
• Coordinates with Planning, Transportation and Public Works, Economic Development, and other related departments in long-range planning and developmental impacts on system capacity, extensions, and development standards.
• Prepares and presents recommendations, reports, ordinances, and resolutions to the Manager, Mayor, and Commission.
• Works with the department's Water Conservation Office to serve as the department's spokesperson to customers, media, and community groups on service, rates, projects, and incidents.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of ACCGov and the operations and functions of the Public Utilities Department.

Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, and reclamation operations and the federal and state regulations that govern them.

Knowledge of management, human resource management/personnel and financial practices, policies and procedures as are necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.

Knowledge of all applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the job.

Knowledge of and proficiency with computers.

Knowledge of local, state and federal codes, acts and policies concerning the operations of the water distribution and sewer collection system, water treatment and water reclamation facilities, water and wastewater reclamation system maintenance activities, water/sewer line construction and maintenance procedures, civil engineering, and land surveying principles and practices.

Knowledge of public administration, municipal accounting, and budget procedures, grant and bond requirements and availability, capital financing techniques, management and supervision.

Knowledge of changes in policy, methods, operations, budgetary and equipment needs, etc., as they pertain to departmental and personnel operations and activities.

Skill in public relations and in oral and written communications.

Skill in leading managers and building high-performing, accountable teams.

Skill in strategic and financial planning, and in analyzing technical, financial, and operational data.

Ability to develop and administer policies, procedures, plans and activities and to monitor performance of subordinates against measured established goals.

Ability to develop and implement long-term goals for the department to promote effectiveness and efficiency.

Ability to negotiate agreements and build effective relationships with partner jurisdictions, regulators, contractors, and community stakeholders.

Ability to effectively communicate and interact with subordinates, management, employees, members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of ACCGov as they relate to the Public Utilities Department.

Ability to make sound, independent decisions under pressure, including during emergencies.

Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear, and effective manner.

Ability to employ good organizational, management, human relations, and technical skills.

Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in managing subordinates including the handling of emergency situations, determining and deciding upon procedures to be implemented, setting priorities, maintaining standards, and resolving problems.

Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information. Ability to handle required mathematical calculations using statistical methods.

Ability to read, understand, and interpret personnel and financial reports and related materials.

Ability to operate various office equipment including a computer, printer, scientific calculator, and telephone.

Ability to utilize various word processing, spreadsheet, and/or other software programs relevant to the position.

Supplemental Information
(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a computer, printer, scientific calculator, and telephone. This position requires: walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, seeing, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. M