Assistant Director of Public Utilities (Admin Division)

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Position Description

Position Description

The City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities is currently recruiting for an Assistant Director position in Public Utilities Administration. This is an unclassified position in which the incumbent serves at the will of the Department Director.

This Assistant Director position in Public Utilities Administration leads and manages the Department’s financial and administrative operations. This Assistant Director works directly with the Director of Public Utilities, administrative staff, and the operating utilities’ business management teams to advance the mission of delivering essential utility services to the City’s customers. Incumbent leads the preparation of the annual budget and routine financial reports, leads and oversees the analysis of the operating utilities’ cost of service and rate revenue requirements, leads and manages rate report preparation and the Proposition 218 process, provides oversight of grant pursuits and management, reviews and prepares new and updated department policies, coordinates with outside agencies, and provides support and oversight to the Department’s three operating utilities in the areas of finance, business management, and administration.

The Department seeks an individual with exceptional managerial and leadership skills to serve as an Assistant Director in Public Utilities Administration. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong communications skills with staff at all organizational levels, and be able to remain focused, proactive, and steady in a fast-paced, politically dynamic environment. A levelheaded individual with strong crisis management skills and a collaborative approach to management is desired. An appreciation of diversity and the strength that diversity brings to the workplace is essential. The selected Assistant Director should also be sensitive to labor-related matters and have demonstrated experience working effectively with labor organizations.

The Assistant Director exercises considerable judgment and discretion in directing and administering the Department and its operations. In addition, the Assistant Director acts as technical advisor to the Director of Public Utilities and City Manager, and attends meetings of the City Council, boards, commissions, and committees relevant to public utilities and related services. The Assistant Director participates in the preparation and administration of the Department’s annual operating and capital budgets and is expected to coordinate activities with other City of Fresno departments, the operating utilities, and outside agencies.

The Department of Public Utilities

City of Fresno Public Utilities provides reliable, efficient, low-cost water, wastewater, and solid waste services to City of Fresno Public Utilities customers. Public Utilities strives to provide the highest level of service through innovative technologies, extensive planning efforts, ongoing process improvement, employee development, and collaborative teamwork. To accomplish these goals, the Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget includes funding for 633 full-time equivalent positions and appropriates $490 million for all department activities.

Public Utilities is organized into four divisions:

• Administration - Coordinates all Public Utilities’ services, providing oversight and support for each operating division. This includes Utilities Planning and Engineering which is responsible for master planning, capital program budget development and management, and development services support. It also includes the Water Resources Manager position, that oversees and manages the City of Fresno’s water rights and entitlements, water agency coordination, and preparation of water resource related reports and documents, under the direct supervision of the Director of Public Utilities.

• Water - Manages and operates the City of Fresno’s water system, delivering drinking water to more than 144,000 customer accounts through a network of over 1,900 miles of water mains. Water production facilities include three surface water treatment facilities; over 260 municipal groundwater production wells, with wellhead…