Manager, Southern Operations

Job Summary

Aquarion Water Authority is seeking an experienced and dynamic Manager to lead the operational, maintenance, and improvement activities throughout our Southern Division. Reporting directly to the Vice President, CT Operations, this position is responsible for leading all operational, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and capital improvement activities within the Southern Division, including pump stations, storage tanks, surface water treatment facilities, and distribution systems.

The Manager of Southern Operations is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of water treatment and distribution facilities while maintaining superior water quality and regulatory compliance. This role provides leadership to operational staff, supports emergency response activities, manages budgets and capital projects, and serves as a key representative of the Company within the community, industry organizations, and regulatory agencies. This position is required to participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation.

Principal Responsibilities

• Programs and directs the efficient and reliable operation, maintenance, protection, security and appearance of all water supply facilities, impoundments, watersheds, pumping, treatment, booster, storage facilities, properties, pipelines, valves, hydrants, services and other appurtenances.
• Prepares and oversees preparation and adherence to departmental expense budgets.
• Directly responsible for the operation and maintenance of various automated ground water and surface water treatment facilities, distribution pumping, storage systems and distribution piping systems throughout the Greenwich and Darien.
• Provides for meters and meter reading including installation, removal and repair, periodic testing and reading schedules.
• Programs, directs or contributes to water quality programs: EPA/DPH drinking water monitoring, watershed survey, cross-connection inspection/survey, Partnership for Safe Drinking Water. Assists in sampling, packaging and shipping samples to various labs when needed
• Responsible for the daily operations of the two surface water treatment facilities.  Responsible for the operation and maintenance of reservoir dams, spillways, intakes and other appurtenances.  Ensures that efficient operating procedures are in place.  Optimizes treated water quality.
• Primary responsibility for ensuring that treatment facilities are in compliance with all applicable federal and state drinking water and other environmental regulations.  Responsible for ensuring that all company treatment operation goals and water quality goals are met.
• Reviews and approves accounts payable invoices for compliance with specifications.
• Interfaces daily with our customer service department to resolve customer complaints for system operations.
• Makes recommendations to the VP-CT Operations and Engineering Department concerning required capital improvements.  Responsible for the successful implementation of capital projects under his/her control as part of the department’s recurring capital budget.  Acts as Project Manager for the more significant recurring capital projects.
• Manages the emergency response to system failures with contractors or department emergency response crews.
• Interfaces with outside agencies to obtain information affecting treatment operations, process optimization and implementation.  These contacts include various regulatory agencies, research organizations, universities and water utilities.
• Functions as a liaison for the towns served and participates in community and environmental affairs.
• Stays abreast of and adheres to all current safety practices in accordance with company policies and industry guidelines and regulations.  Expects the same of subordinates.
• Required to be on-call and reachable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Preferred Requirements

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive experience in a utility or water operations environment.
• Prior management experience required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing operational teams and complex water utility infrastructure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing operational demands.
• Strong understanding of organizational goals and objectives with the ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Prior experience managing a unionized workforce preferred.
• Strong labor relations and employee relations experience preferred.
• Excellent labor relations skills required.
• Problem Solving: Situations and circumstances, both operational and administrative, can be highly variable and complex. The successful candidate must demonstrate sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to make effective decisions under pressure.
• Accountability: This position reports directly to the Vice President, CT Operations and provides leadership to a team of 29 employees, including 25 union employees. The incumbent is accountable for managing departmental budgets, overseeing water treatment and distribution operations, implementing capital projects, maintaining water quality standards, and supporting customer service objectives throughout the Southern Division.

Education/Certifications

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related field, required.
• A master’s degree is preferred, but not required.
• Connecticut Class III Distribution Operator and/or Class IV Treatment Operator certification required.

Salary

• This role is a full-time, benefit-eligible role.
• This role is classified as an exempt salaried role, with a salary range of $124,000 to $154,500. 
• This role reports out of Greenwich Water Treatment Plant.
• Hours for this role are 7:00AM to 3:30PM, Monday through Friday.
• This position requires participation in a management on-call rotation.