Water Superintendent

Position Description

Join the Tacoma Public Utilities Team and Lead the Future of Water Delivery in the Region!

Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) is seeking a strategic and experienced leader to serve as the Superintendent of Tacoma Water. This pivotal role oversees the delivery of clean, reliable drinking water to a diverse customer base, ensuring safe and responsive operations, sound financial performance, exceptional customer service, and compliance with all applicable regulations. As a key member of the TPU executive leadership team, the Superintendent will collaborate on shared priorities impacting employees, customers, and policymakers.

About Tacoma Water:

Tacoma Water operates one of the most complex and comprehensive water systems in Washington State. Our system includes a diverse supply mix of surface and groundwater, advanced treatment processes, extensive transmission and distribution infrastructure, and wholesale water delivery to numerous regional purveyors. We are also the owner/operator of the Regional Water Supply System (RWSS) , a collaborative partnership ensuring regional water security. Our operational scope and the technical, resource, funding, and regulatory challenges we face are comparable to the largest water utilities in the nation.

As the Superintendent, you will have financial responsibility for a $343 million biennial budget and personnel decision-making authority for six direct reports and a total staff of 325 FTEs.

Responsibilities:

The Superintendent will provide strategic leadership and oversight in the following key areas:

• Utility Management and Operations: Lead Tacoma Water’s senior leadership team, ensuring cost-effective, compliant, and high-quality operations. Drive innovation and modernization in service delivery. Oversee watershed management, treatment processes, transmission and distribution systems, and wholesale water operations, including the RWSS.
• Policy Development/Industry Leadership: Develop and present policy recommendations to the Director of Utilities, Public Utility Board, and City Council. Represent Tacoma Water with elected officials, regulators, customers, and industry stakeholders. Advocate for the organization's interests and contribute to strategic initiatives related to environmental protection, climate change, asset management, resource protection, and infrastructure financing.
• Planning and Strategy: Lead the development and implementation of Tacoma Water’s strategic plan, aligning it with the TPU Strategic Plan and Public Utility Board guiding principles . Analyze industry trends and ensure accountability for resource management and performance measurement.
• People Management/Staff Development/Labor Management: Foster a positive and inclusive work environment. Hire, develop, and retain a high-performing workforce. Build and manage productive relationships with labor unions.
• Customer/Community Relations: Ensure excellent customer service and maintain strong relationships with customers, residents, business groups, tribes, and other stakeholders. Promote public awareness and understanding of Tacoma Water’s programs and services.
• Financial Management: Oversee the division’s financial performance, ensuring long-term stability and predictable rates for customers. Lead budget preparation, rate setting, and financial planning.
• Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance: Establish systems and processes to promote safety, minimize liability, and ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
• Intergovernmental Relationships: Cultivate strong relationships with key stakeholders at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Interdepartmental Cooperation and Teamwork: Foster collaboration with TPU and City of Tacoma shared service providers and other departments to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate for the Superintendent of Tacoma Water is a proven and visionary leader with a deep understanding of the complexities of modern water utility management. This individual possesses a strong and unwavering commitment to public service, environmental stewardship, and the delivery of safe, reliable, and affordable water to the community.

Key Attributes and Experiences:

• Extensive Water Utility Expertise: The ideal candidate has a substantial track record of success in leading and managing water utility operations, ideally within a large and complex system similar to Tacoma Water. This includes experience in areas such as water treatment, transmission and distribution, watershed management, regulatory compliance, and wholesale water operations. Experience with regional water supply systems and partnerships is highly desirable.
• Strategic and Innovative Thinker: This individual is a strategic thinker who can anticipate future challenges and opportunities facing the water industry. They possess a demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative solutions to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer service, and ensure long-term financial sustainability.
• Policy Acumen and Stakeholder Engagement: The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of water policy and regulatory frameworks at the local, state, and federal levels. They are skilled at building and maintaining positive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including elected officials, regulators, customers, community groups, tribes, and industry partners. They can effectively represent Tacoma Water’s interests and advocate for sound water policy.
• Exceptional Leadership and People Management Skills: This individual is a highly effective leader who can inspire and motivate teams to achieve exceptional results. They have a proven ability to build and manage high-performing teams, foster a positive and inclusive work environment, and effectively manage labor relations. They prioritize employee development and create a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Financial Management Expertise: The ideal candidate possesses strong financial management skills, including experience in budget development, rate setting, financial planning, and cost control. They understand the importance of balancing financial sustainability with affordable rates for customers.
• Commitment to Customer Experience and Community Engagement: This individual is deeply committed to providing excellent customer experience and engaging with the community. They understand the importance of transparency, communication, and responsiveness in building public trust and support.
• Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills: The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills. They can effectively communicate complex technical and policy issues to a variety of audiences, including elected officials, the public, and industry professionals.
• Ethical and Collaborative Approach: This individual operates with the highest ethical standards and fosters a collaborative and transparent approach to leadership. They are committed to building strong partnerships and working effectively with other City departments and regional stakeholders.

In summary, the ideal candidate is a dynamic, experienced, and results-oriented leader who is passionate about ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable, and sustainable water services to the Tacoma community and the region. They are a strategic thinker, a skilled communicator, and a collaborative partner who can effectively lead Tacoma Water into the future.

Compensation and Benefits

This salary range for this position is $196,664.00 - $276,889.60 DOQ.

The City offers a comprehensive total rewards package with one of the best pension packages in the market. For complete details, please explore the City of Tacoma Benefits Guide and Tacoma Employee’s Retirement System website.

Qualifications

Minimum Education *

Bachelor's Degree in business or public administration, engineering or related field.

Minimum Experience*

12 years including prior supervisory and managerial experience.

*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education

Desired Qualifications:

• 10 years total experience managing a major section of a similarly sized water utility or a water utility serving greater than 50,000 services with a proven track record of leadership and success.
  
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage effective teams and foster positive labor relations.
  

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:
Washington State Water Distribution Manager 4 or ability to obtain within one year
Valid Washington State driver's license or ability to obtain
Washington Professional Engineer License, desired

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

This recruitment is being managed by Joanna Hambrick ( jhambrick@cityoftacoma.org ); if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn !

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play .

The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.

Apply
Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.

Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates. Appointment is subject to passing a background check and to confirmation by the Tacoma Public Utilities Board as required pursuant to the City Charter Section 4.21.

Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or governmentjobs.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.

If you have any additional questions regarding this position, please contact the Human Resources Department at 253.591.5400 before 4pm on the closing date of this posting.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 3/3/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

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• City of Tacoma

• 253-591-5400

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