Job Bank

The City of Charlottesville is seeking its next Director of Public Utilities. Reporting to an Assistant or Deputy City Manager, the Director of Public Utilities provides overall leadership, fiscal management, administration, operational and strategic direction and oversight for all activities, resources, and personnel for the Department of Utilities which includes natural gas, water, wastewater and stormwater. Completes work with substantial discretion and within broad parameters. 

Application Deadline

Thursday, May 7, 2026 by 5:00 PM EST

Online Job Application, Full Position Description, and Benefits Information

Please go to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/charlottesville/jobs/5300442/director-of-public-utilities to view the direct link to the application and full job description.

How to Apply

To view the complete job information and to apply, visit our employment website listed. Applications are only accepted online through the City of Charlottesville employment page, www.charlottesville.gov/jobs, and must be submitted prior to the listed closing date and time.

General Job Description

The City of Charlottesville Director of Public Utilities provides overall leadership, fiscal management, administration, operational and strategic direction and oversight for all activities, resources, and personnel for the Department of Utilities which includes natural gas, water, wastewater and stormwater. Completes work with substantial discretion and within broad parameters. Reports to an Assistant or Deputy City Manager. To learn more about the Charlottesville Department of Public Utilities and its operations, please visit: https://www.charlottesville.gov/458/Utilities

 

The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $172,000.00 - $195,000.00 Annually. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. As a Department Head this position is also eligible for the following benefits:

• Vacation leave accrual rate of 4.62 hours per bi-weekly pay period, increasing with years of service
• Up to 80 hours of discretionary administrative leave per calendar year
• Choice of retirement plan: 
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan (5% employee contribution)
  • Defined Contribution 401(a) Plan (19.50% City contribution for executive-level positions)
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the “Benefits” tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description.  The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Provides overall oversight, direction, planning, and management of the operations, maintenance, activities, and services of the Utilities Department.
• Provides leadership, executive-level vision, and strategic decision making to enable and ensure core department functions continue to operate without interruption.
• Provides strategic oversight and direction to outreach staff responsible for utility customer engagement and public awareness initiatives.
• Assesses and monitors City’s utility infrastructure to provide adequate levels of service both for existing systems and development.
• Identifies and implements strategic plans and objectives at departmental and organization level.
• Oversees departmental policies and procedures, supporting and implementing changes as appropriate.
• Oversees departmental personnel administration of staff and subordinate supervisors, monitors, coaches, and evaluates performance; interviews, selects, assigns work, sets expectations, and administers disciplinary action to subordinate employees in accordance with established personnel policy and procedures. Establishes professional standards for work quality, quantity, performance, and accountability.
• Oversees and provides necessary support and guidance for management staff; delegates work responsibilities, sets expectations for work quality and quantity, and maintains accountability among staff directly supervised.
• Provides leadership and management direction to planning and executing team building and professional development of staff.
• Reviews departmental performance and implements programs to meet current and future needs and improve overall performance.
• Provides fiscal management for Department; oversees and leads in development and administration of Utilities Department operating and capital budgets, and in annual rate development; including the presentation of information.
• Provides timely and effective communication to the public when issues arise that could impact services provided or could result in unexpected disruption of service.
• Serves as City’s representative to outside stakeholders such as Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority, Albemarle County Service Authority, University of Virginia, Virginia Department of Health Office of Drinking Water, Virginia State Corporation Commission, and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
• Provides executive level customer service for the department and addresses concerns from residents, businesses, other City departments, City Management, and City Council.
• Manages staff responsible for Capital Improvement Programs related to City’s water distribution, sanitary sewer collection, natural gas distribution and municipal stormwater utility systems; using technical expertise and broad experience, provides direction, guidance and prioritization for key projects.
• Ensures regulatory compliance is maintained for all four utilities; makes sure all necessary reporting is completed and submitted to appropriate governing authority in an accurate and timely manner.
• Consults and collaborates with executive staff and senior departmental leadership and provides advice and counsel on complex management issues, organizational structure, feasibility and the potential impact of varying courses of action.
• Manages and monitors annual action plans of department in support of Council’s strategic priorities. Ensures that departmental goals are incorporated into performance objectives and provides direction and oversight for quarterly progress reporting.
• Subject to being called back to work to the City in emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time. 
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related field AND at least 8 years of experience managing or supervising public utilities operations, including water, wastewater, natural gas and stormwater design, construction, operations regulatory compliance and contract administration.

OR

• Associate’s Degree in Engineering or a related field AND at least 10 years of experience managing or supervising public utilities operations, including water, wastewater, natural gas and stormwater design, construction, operations regulatory compliance and contract administration.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Preferred:  

• Master’s degree in Engineering or Public Administration.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Professional Engineer (PE) license required. (If certified outside the Commonwealth of Virginia, must be eligible to transfer or obtain Virginia licensure.)
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Driver’s License and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain all certifications required by applicable federal, state and local regulations.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:
Job Knowledge

• Subject matter expert in all aspects of utilities including, but not limited to, budgeting, engineering, operations, regulatory compliance, performance management, and other administrative areas.
• Comprehensive knowledge of municipal public utilities administration.
• Comprehensive knowledge of modern principles and practices of civil engineering; modern methods and techniques for design, construction and maintenance of utilities.
• Expert knowledge of contract administration and project management.
• Expert knowledge of procurement laws, policies and procedures related to the development and administration of architectural, engineering and construction proposals and contracts.
• Expert knowledge of health and environmental rules, OSHA, regulations and laws.
• Thorough knowledge in asset management, condition rating and setting priorities to maintain functional infrastructure.
• Thorough knowledge of City policies and procedures relating to effective supervision, training, and personnel management.
• Thorough understanding of the purpose, processes, procedures, methods, technologies, tools, equipment, terminology, standards, performance measures, and outcomes of work teams, and specialty areas of multiple functional areas.
• Knowledge of land and engineering survey systems, methods, and techniques.

Reading

• Advanced: ability to read, understand, and interpret complex written materials such as federal, state and local code, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, technical journals, financial reports, and/or legal documents.

Writing

• Advanced: Ability to develop and recommend policies and procedures, complex research and reports, and ensure appropriate materials such as researched editorials, journals, speeches, manuals, or critiques. Ability to tailor writing to specific audiences and explain complex thoughts and ideas in writing.

Math

• Advanced: ability to apply fundamental concepts of theories, work with advanced mathematical operations methods and functions of real and complex variables. Ability to determine cost and expenditures of projects and ensure fiscal accountability.

Communication Skills

• Advanced: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with employees, city management, elected officials, contractors, other agencies, and the public. Ability to communicate efficiently, effectively, and accurately both orally and in writing to a diverse audience. Prepares and presents technical oral reports, with the ability to effectively convey complex planning concepts to diverse audiences. Communicates current and revised policies and makes recommendations regarding development and implementation of policies. Contact may involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Evaluates customer satisfaction, develops cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve customer satisfaction. 

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Administrative Direction: Normally completes work with substantial discretion and within broad parameters defined by general organizational requirements and accepted practices. Ability to work independently and concurrently manage staff of several areas, disciplines, or groups of different roles and specialties and empowering them to make complex decisions. Overall results determine job performance.

Technical Skills

• Advanced: high level skills and extensive knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively. Skilled at applying systematic multi-factor analysis, trend analysis, and other forms of data analysis and assessment to a variety of operations and programs for the purpose of planning and managing resources. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and department systems/software such as AutoCAD and ESRI ArcGIS.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Provides overall fiscal management for Department. Oversees and leads development and administration of Department operating and capital budgets, and in annual rate development. Provides final approval of budget and expenditures.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manages, monitors and directs the overall work performance of the department, subordinate employees and managers. Evaluates work performance and objectives; makes final decisions on hiring, discipline, setting program/work objectives, establishes organizational goals, realigns work, and staffing as needed.
• Equitably and effectively assigns responsibilities to others to accomplish projects and meet service demands, ensuring projects are guided by clearly defined roles.

Other Characteristics

• Disciplined, empathetic, strategic advocate, and an empowering leader who models the organizational excellence performance standard.
• Models transparency and trust-building in decision making. Highlights listening, psychological safety, and feedback culture.
• Assesses multiple, complex tasks or projects and service demands and develops processes to address them.
• Effective time management and organizational skills; sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• Tedious or exacting work.
• Independently balance multiple, frequently changing, complex tasks simultaneously.
• Exceptional leadership, supervisory, and coaching skills.
• Sound independent judgement in a fast-paced environment; tact, diplomacy, and resourcefulness in resolving problems and managing stressful situations.  
• Effectively work with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
• Occasional travel to attend trainings and conferences.
• Demonstrates patience and professionalism when assisting frustrated and/or upset individuals.
• May require additional hours outside of normal schedule, such as weekends, nights, holidays and/or after-hour meetings.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Light work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must frequently operate computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer. Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so other can understand.  Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is typically performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare, and dust.  
• The noise level is usually moderate.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov.

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City’s policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City’s policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.