Deputy Director of Water Internal and External Relations

Salary to be commensurate with experience

The hiring range for this position is $127,352.22 - $159,190.28/annually

The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, October 17, 2024. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

Please include a resume, cover letter and an example of Public Relations or Customer Service initiative you have worked on.

OVERVIEW OF POSITION / DEPARTMENT

Aurora Water is responsible for enhancing and protecting the quality of life for Aurora citizens by providing quality water, sewer, and stormwater services in a manner that balances social, environmental, and economic needs. Responsibilities and roles within the organization include: operation and maintenance of the water, sewer, and stormwater systems; water purification and reuse water treatment; utility financial monitoring, planning, customer billing, and revenue collection; infrastructure planning and engineering, inspections, and management of the capital improvement program; public information and water conservation; water resources planning, acquisition, and development; permitting, watershed protection, and water and wastewater regulatory compliance; and administration.

The Deputy Director of Water Internal and External Relations plans, organizes, directs and implements a comprehensive public relations program including legislative and public affairs, public information and education, customer service, employee engagement, community and media relations, crisis communication, event planning, and risk communication under the direction of the General Manager of Aurora Water.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directs the day-to-day for all departmental external and internal relations including Government and Community Relations, Customer Service, Communications, and employee engagement
• Oversees and participates in the development of policies and procedures
• Coordinates, administers and reviews the work of Managers of Customer Service, Water Education, Employee Cultural Engagement and Public Affairs and the Intergovernmental Affairs Principal
• Establishes short and long-range priorities, goals and objectives including the development, maintenance and revision as needed of a proactive departmental communication plan
• Monitors completed work and work in progress to promote quality and quantity standards
• Coordinates with other Utility Divisions to ensure customer service expectations are understood and met
• Leads programs and processes to builds and maintain positive/active relationships with customers
• Provides leadership in developing and executing plans to increase community confidence in the utility, including identifying and addressing issues of interest and concerns to customers
• Provides professional advice and assistance to the General Manager, senior management, and other divisions on customer service, public information, media relations, community outreach, stakeholder communication, internal communication, and related matters
• Directs the implementation of Department goals and objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the sections; represents the city at regional and local utility meetings and hearings, monitors and reports on water, wastewater, and stormwater outreach efforts
• Provides strategic leadership in the execution of long and short‐term plans as they relate to legislation at both the state and the federal level that affects the water industry
• Prepares and monitors the operating budgets, including expenditures
• Develops operational priorities, goals, and objectives
• Prepares and presents information to the General Manager of Aurora Water and senior management, City departments, Citizens Water Advisory Commission, Water Policy Committee, City Council, and others
• Supervise and lead direct reports, this includes but is not limited to making recommendations regarding selection, hiring, training, evaluating and disciplining of assigned employees
• Performs other related duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Education: 

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public affairs, management, business administration or directly related field

Experience: 

• At least 7 years progressively responsible directly related experience in a full-service water utility or similar.
• At least 3 years supervisory/managerial experience in a full-service water utility or similar.
• At least 2 years division-level managerial experience in a full-service water utility or similar.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 5 years supervisory/managerial experience in a full-service water utility

Knowledge:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and operating requirements of a full-service water utility.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of legislative processes, public relations planning and the services and activities of local governments

Skills: 

• Strong interpersonal, decision making, and managerial skills
• Skill in the use of windows-based programs
• Strong customer service skills
• Skill in customer relations, crisis communications management, public speaking and media relations
• Skill in checking information for accuracy and completeness and correcting errors

Abilities: 

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials
• Handle sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Direct and effectively supervise a diverse workforce
• Administer budgets
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner

Licenses and Certifications Required: 

• Colorado Driver's License with a good driving record.

Essential Personnel: 

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the city, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel.

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary physical work that involves moving no more than 10 pounds at a time
• Occasional walking and standing
• Some lifting and carrying of materials for presentations and displays
• May require frequent pushing, pulling, bending and stooping
• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and citizens
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard, carts and moveable shelving
• Foot/eye for operation of motor vehicle to presentation sites

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in a clean, comfortable environment.

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel and menu driven databases
• This position may require the incumbent to regularly use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment.
• Operates motor vehicle