Vice President Aqua Operations

At Aqua, we know that water is a precious resource – one that plays a critical role in sustaining life. That’s why we take seriously our mission: protecting and providing Earth’s most essential resource. At Aqua, we are guided by a set of principles that embody the character of our company and inspire our work together. They are embedded within our business practices and our behavior. We are proud to be united by integrity, respect and the pursuit of excellence to be the best we can be for the customers and communities we serve.

Together, the women and men of Aqua America serve 1 million customers across eight states. Aqua uses science, technology, capital investments, and amazing talent to provide communities with clean, safe drinking water and responsibly return wastewater to our rivers and streams. Join our team and make a difference!

Are you looking for a fantastic career at Aqua America? We have a great opportunity for a Vice President Aqua Operations. This role directly supports the President, has direct oversight of three subsidiary state utilities (or as assigned) and has responsibilities in all operating divisions with an emphasis on operational excellence, employee engagement and safety, identification of operating cost-saving capital investments, and other situational high-priority assignments. Directly supervises the Director of Asset Management and Field Services, with a focus on customer service, operational efficiency and asset management and the Director of National Safety, with a focus on improving Aqua’s safety culture and performance. Works with Engineering and Environmental Compliance in corporate and in each state with a goal of integrating and aligning priorities, responsibilities and processes with those of Operations.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Oversee assigned state subsidiaries, including regulatory and legislative priorities, business development, operating and capital budgets and any employee policy matters, including labor relations.
• Develop and establish company operating policies with a goal of standardization across systems. Guide and direct management members in the development of departmental goals and objectives and strategies to attain the company goals.
• Supervise staff including employee selection, mutual development of performance goals and measurements; performance evaluation; providing training and growth opportunities; planning and directing work assignments; creating atmosphere of trust and support; fairly administering Company policies affecting staff; and communicating information for effective job performance.
• Assist all subsidiaries in developing, prioritizing and maintaining the operating and capital budgets.
• Advise President of current operations, serious problems, unusual condition of equipment and techniques required or being used for production, treatment, and distribution and collection. Furnish President with reports analyzing operation costs and other related cost initiatives.
• Assess problems and events daily and ensures assignment of appropriate personnel to resolve accordingly. Be available to handle high-priority, emergency situations as needed.
• Ensure that all corporate activities and operations are carried out in compliance with local, state and federal regulations and laws governing business operations.
• Work with business development in the identification, due diligence, pro forma review, project approval, and smooth transition of acquisitions.
• Interact with environmental and health regulators regarding current regulations, permit compliance and other matters regarding water and waste water operations.
• Direct and oversee daily activities of the Aqua Asset Management & Field Services department to ensure assets are inventoried and updated and risk-based operations and maintenance and capital improvement is implemented, ensure electronic service and work orders are effectively and efficiently scheduled and dispatched.
• Direct and oversee daily activities of the Aqua Safety department to ensure safety of Aqua employees, compliance with pertinent OSHA regulations, appropriate training is provided based on job role, and state operations and facilities are continuously audited and improved for safety. Ensure safety performance metrics and reports are completed.
• Work with others in the organization to develop performance matrices to assure that all resources are used in the most cost-effective manner. Use technology where appropriate to monitor and manage. Continue to maintain and search for new methods of increasing productivity and quality. Maintain operations scorecard with key performance metrics and benchmarks so operational and financial performance is monitored regularly and continuously improved.
• Act as backup to Aqua President in times of absence.
• Be the liaison between Operations and Engineering to maximize operational efficiencies.
• Lead various Aqua cross-functional teams, as necessary or assigned. May include an emergency response team during times of operational crisis. May be dispatched to interact with employees, regulators, public officials, customers and other stakeholders during emergencies or other non-routine situations. Also includes, special projects of either corporation-wide or local importance.
• Assist in developing and controlling corporate-wide operating and maintenance and capital budgets, as well as providing direction in the areas of construction , purchases or other acquisitions, operations, maintenance and protection of all property, facilities and equipment required to maintain water quality standards and continuity of service.
• Duties performed in usual office conditions, will require travel, sometimes with little notice. Time spent in the field involves exposure to the elements, noise, and potentially hazardous substances and conditions.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical utility management field required. (Masters degree preferred).

• Practical experience that will provide a sound background and level of knowledge in operational, environmental and financial aspects of managing a water utility is highly desired.

• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience with increasing management responsibilities. Experience in managing multiple locations in a growth environment is desired.

• Must possess strong leadership skills and decision-making characteristics to thrive in a highly decentralized environment, and be able to interact positively with employees, customers, communities, public officials and regulators.

• Must be able to motivate people, manage differences and resolve conflicts and unite people in a common effort to obtain company objectives.

• Must be able to anticipate change and organize people to adapt to the environment.

Additional Knowledge and Skills:

• Leadership
• Supervision
• Knowledge of Organizational Structure
• Interpersonal Skills
• Capital Projects
• Analysis
• Technology Transfer
• Customer and Field Service Policies and Procedures
• Asset management
• Diagnose, Analyze and Correct Problems in Water/Wastewater Systems
• Knowledge of Functions, Policies and Procedures of Department
• Excellent Oral and Written Communications Skills
• Problem Solving/Decision Making
• Procedures for Accident Investigation
• Customer Accounting Procedures
• Teaching and Training
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Cost Control
• Motivational Skills
• OSHA safety awareness and appreciation
• Safe Driving Practices and Record with a Valid Driver’s License
• Scheduling, Organizing and Planning
• Knowledge of Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act
• Mid to Expert skills in Microsoft Office Applications

Aqua America, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.