Utilities Manager

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Are you an experienced utility operations leader looking to make a meaningful impact in a community-focused municipal environment? The Utilities Manager is responsible for leading the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of essential municipal utility services, including water treatment, wastewater treatment, water distribution, sewer collection, and related infrastructure. This hands-on leadership role oversees operational planning, regulatory compliance, workforce development, budgeting, contractor management, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring our client’s utility systems continue to meet the needs of residents and businesses. The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining critical infrastructure, supporting capital projects, and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and service excellence.

PERKS:

• Defined benefit pension with Municipal Pension Plan
• Relocation assistance of up to $15,000 for eligible candidates
• Northern Living benefits, including a residency allowance of $5.50 per day
• Taxable travel deduction for trips each year out of the region

YOUR DAY-TO-DAY:

Operational Leadership and Service Delivery

• Directing the planning, coordination, and execution of utility operations and maintenance activities related to water treatment, wastewater treatment, water distribution, sewer collection, and associated infrastructure.
• Establishing operational priorities, work plans, and resource requirements to ensure safe, efficient service delivery aligned with departmental goals and approved budgets.
• Monitoring the performance, condition, and reliability of utility systems, identifying operational risks, service improvements, and opportunities to enhance performance.

People Leadership and Supervision

• Providing leadership, supervision, and performance management for assigned staff, including workforce planning, recruitment support, training, coaching, employee development, and the establishment of clear expectations and accountability.
• Fostering a respectful, safety-focused workplace culture and ensuring timely follow-up and continuous improvement related to incidents, hazards, and operational concerns.
• Supporting a positive work environment by modelling respectful workplace behaviours in accordance with the employer’s policies and values.

Planning, Budgeting, and Resource Management

• Supporting the development and administration of operating and capital budgets, including forecasting labour, materials, equipment, contracted services, and operational requirements.
• Tracking expenditures, job costing, and operational metrics to support financial accountability, informed decision-making, and the effective use of municipal resources.

Projects, Contractors, and Capital Support

• Coordinating internal projects and contracted services, including scope development, cost estimation, scheduling, contractor oversight, and quality assurance activities.
• Providing operational expertise and recommendations during capital planning, project design, and construction to support safety, service reliability, maintainability, and long-term asset performance.

Reporting, Coordination, and Continuous Improvement

• Preparing and reviewing operational reports, recommendations, and supporting documentation to facilitate management decision-making, performance evaluation, and regulatory or corporate reporting requirements.
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal departments, consultants, contractors, regulators, and external agencies to support operational objectives and service delivery.

Digital Systems and Asset Data Management

• Ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and timely entry of operational data into corporate systems to support asset lifecycle management, service level reporting, and data-driven decision-making.
• Collaborating with Information Technology, Finance, and GIS teams to support system configuration, enhancements, and integration initiatives, ensuring digital tools meet operational requirements while maintaining corporate data governance standards.

Compliance, Safety, and Risk Management

• Ensuring departmental activities comply with applicable legislation, regulatory approvals, municipal standards, safety requirements, and internal policies and procedures.
• Supporting compliance with the employer’s occupational health and safety program and legislative requirements by reviewing incidents and accidents, recommending corrective actions, delivering safety orientations, and facilitating safety meetings as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution in Civil Engineering, Environmental Studies, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education, training, and progressively responsible experience in municipal utility operations will be considered.
• 5+ years of progressive supervisory or management experience in municipal water and wastewater operations, utility infrastructure maintenance, or a related public works environment, preferably within a unionized setting.
• Valid BC Class 5 Driver’s Licence.
• Ability to successfully obtain and maintain a Police Information Check.

PREFERRED CERTIFICATION:

Preference will be given to candidates who possess EOCP certifications in multiple utility disciplines. The employer’s utility systems include:

• Water Treatment – Level II (WT II)
• Water Distribution – Level III (WD III)
• Wastewater Collection – Level II (WWC II)
• Wastewater Treatment – Level I (WWT I)
• Wastewater Treatment – Level III (WWT III)

The ideal candidate will possess:

• EOCP certifications in two or more of the above disciplines; or
• A combination of three or more EOCP certifications at varying levels that demonstrates broad technical knowledge, operational competency, and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Equivalent combinations of certifications will be considered. Candidates from municipalities with smaller or less complex utility systems, where opportunities to obtain higher certification levels may be limited, are encouraged to apply.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of municipal utility systems, operational planning, regulatory compliance requirements, project coordination, and service delivery practices.
• Sound understanding of occupational health and safety legislation, risk management principles, and safe work practices applicable to utility operations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, and develop staff through effective communication, coaching, performance management, accountability, and employee development.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to plan, prioritize, and coordinate operational activities, projects, and resources in a fast-paced municipal environment.
• Proven ability to assess complex issues, exercise sound judgement, and make effective decisions that support operational, safety, and regulatory objectives.
• Ability to establish, maintain, and foster positive working relationships with employees, internal departments, contractors, consultants, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Experience with budget development, expenditure monitoring, contractor administration, operational reporting, and resource management.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and municipal or operational software systems used for work management, reporting, record keeping, and communication.

COMPENSATION:

• $117,000 – $130,000/year