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SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV) - WASTEWATER OPERATIONS

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SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (EXE LEV) - WASTEWATER OPERATIONS

Salary

$168,663.82 - $183,015.04 Annually

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Executive Level

Job Number

37555

Department

Houston Public Works

Opening Date

11/10/2025

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

POSITION OVERVIEW

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

DIVISION: WASTEWATER OPERATIONS

REPORTING LOCATION: 4545 GROVEWAY DR.

WORKDAYS & HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8AM - 5PM*

*Subject to change

ABOUT HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS

Working for the City of Houston and Houston Public Works is an exciting and challenging career choice that you will be proud to be a part of. Together, we build a strong foundation for Houston to thrive. The Houston Public Works Department is a team of talented, diverse staff that provides many of the basic services that affect the daily lives of everyone who lives and works in Houston and the surrounding region. Primarily, the department is responsible for all the things we take for granted daily: the administration, planning, maintenance, construction management, and technical engineering of the city's infrastructure. This includes the production and distribution of over 146 billion gallons of water per year and the treatment of over 90 billion gallons per year of wastewater. That is enough to fill the Astrodome four times per day with fresh water and over twice per day with wastewater. It also includes the maintenance of the city's over 16,000 lane miles of streets, over 60,000 stormwater manholes, over 100,000 stormwater inlets, over 1,100,000 street name and traffic control signs, over 17,000 freeway and under bridge light fixtures.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Houston Water has over 1500 employees and is made up of Drinking Water Operations, Planning, Regulatory Compliance, Customer Service/Account Services, and Wastewater Operations. Wastewater Operations has over 600 employees. The City of Houston is working under a wastewater Consent Decree, and this creates an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the city’s infrastructure and improve operations. You will be a part of a large interdepartmental team working together to meet the requirements of the Consent Decree and this will be both challenging and very rewarding and meaningful work.

The Senior Assistant Director will perform the following duties:

+ Leads over 600 very talented and diverse Wastewater Operations branch’s personnel, policy definition, adoption, and interpretation.

+ Promotes and aligns the branch’s practices with the purpose and values of Houston Water and Houston Public Works centered on Respect, Ownership, Communication, Integrity, and Teamwork.

+ Working with and leading a diverse and very talented multi-disciplinary (Regulatory Compliance, Capital Delivery, Legal, Finance, Consent Decree Group) team to ensure compliance with all federal and state regulatory requirements, including the EPA/DOJ Consent Decree, which is presently in year 5 of 15.

+ Responsible for the overall operations and maintenance of 38 WWTP, 382 lift stations, and over 6,000 miles of collection systems to ensure regulatory compliance.

+ Develops, analyzes, and monitors key performance indicators to meet service and financial objectives, balance resources, and improve overall effectiveness and organizational efficiency.

+ Build the branch’s public relations as well as participate in state and national professional organizations.

+ Develops an annual budget and ensures effective operations protection of public assets and ratepayers' interests. Must be able to lead and communicate and build relationships with entry-level front-line staff, plant operators, engineers, executives, elected officials, and members of the community from all walks of life.

+ Responds to the needs of the public, administration, City Council, and executive management. Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of program initiatives across multi-functional lines. Implements various program initiatives.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., an essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, and temperature.

This is a Department of Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier I Level.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Requires a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline; or the basic knowledge of more than one professional discipline. Knowledge of the discipline would normally be obtained through a formal 4-year degree from a college or university and a professional certification/licensing is required.

Directly related professional experience may be substituted for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

More than ten years of experience is required.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

Valid driver's license and compliance with the City of Houston driving policy (A.P. 2-2).

PREFERENCES

Preference will be given to candidates who possess:

+ Understanding of federal and state regulatory requirements, including the EPA/DOJ Consent Decree

+ Large scale operations and maintenance experience

+ Experience managing large scale budget

+ Experience working with elected officials

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION Yes

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE 34

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call (832-393-0453).

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832-393-0453). (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

+ Medical

+ Dental

+ Vision

+ Wellness

+ Supplemental Insurance

+ Life insurance

+ Long-term disability

+ Retirement pension

+ 457 deferred compensation plan

+ Employee Assistance Program

+ 10 days of vacation each year

+ 11 city holidays, plus one floating holiday

+ Compensable Sick Leave

+ Personal Leave

+ Flexible schedules

+ Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions

+ Professional development opportunities

+ Transportation/parking plan

+ Section 125 pretax deductions

+ Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan

+ Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves

+ Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

+ Yes

+ No

02

Which best describes your highest level of education?

+ High School Diploma / GED

+ Associate's Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree

+ Master's Degree or higher

+ None of the Above

03

If you answered that you have a college degree what was your field of study?

+ Engineering

+ Construction Management

+ Business Administration

+ Public Administration

+ Non-related field of study

+ I do not have a degree

04

Which best describes your years of experience that relates to the duties of this position?

+ I have no experience that directly relates to the duties of this position.

+ Less than 8 years

+ 8 - 9 years

+ 10 - 11 years

+ 12 - 13 years

+ 14 years or more

05

Please describe your related experience. If none use N/A. (See resume is not an acceptable answer.)

06

How many years of experience in a managerial capacity do you have?

+ I have no managerial experience

+ Less than 3 years

+ 3 - 4 years

+ 5 years or more

07

How many years of executive wastewater leadership experience do you have?

+ Less than 3 years

+ 3 - 5 years

+ 6 - 8 years

+ 9 years or more

08

Do you have an understanding of federal and state regulatory requirements, including the EPA/DOJ Consent Decree?

+ Yes

+ No

09

How many years of large scale operations and maintenance experience do you have?

+ Less than 3 years

+ 3 - 5 years

+ 6 - 8 years

+ 9 years or more

10

How many years of experience managing a large scale budget do you have?

+ Less than 3 years

+ 3 - 5 years

+ 6 - 8 years

+ 9 years or more

11

Do you have a current/ valid Driver's License?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question