Description

City of Lowell
Job Description
Please Post: August 29, 2025
Deadline: September 12, 2025
Water Utility
Executive Director
Job Title: Executive Director (1100-DH01, J#6461,4032)
Department: Water Utilities
Reports To: Chief Utility Officer
Union: Ordinance, Non-Union
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary: $133,576.52 (min) to $156,939.78 (max) annually
SUMMARY
Directs and administers all jurisdictions including engineering, maintenance, operations and capital improvements of the physical facilities and the Utility.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Formulates and administers policy concerning all functions of the Utility; including personnel.
Is directly responsible for efficient fiscal planning and budgeting, the development of modern management programs, centralized purchasing, inventory control, and the recruiting of qualified personnel.
Shall be responsible for implementing modern methodology to insure a productive working relationship with personnel at all levels.
Responsible for the development of resources to obtain all available Federal and State funds for the Utility.
Maintains an effective and ongoing relationship with various representatives of the City and the general public.
Responsible for overseeing all requirements are met for DEP and EPA reporting.
At the discretion of the Chief Utility Officer, the Water Utility Director may be required to perform similar job duties and responsibilities as described in the job description for Wastewater Director.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Manages four subordinate supervisors who supervise a total of 40 employees in the Administration Office, Operations Division, Laboratory, Maintenance Division, and Engineering Division. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Five to seven years of managerial experience with municipal water systems or years of management
experience working in a Grade 4 water system. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices
of the operation, maintenance, process control, administration, engineering and industrial pre-treatment of
a large modern Water Treatment facility. Comprehensive knowledge of modern principles and practices
of public administration; working knowledge of the principles and practices of engineering as it relates to
and is applied to the operations and administration of diversified Utility activities; knowledge of the laws
and regulations concerning labor negotiation and collective bargaining contract administration.
Demonstrated ability to direct and supervise the Utility and public activities on a large scale and in a
coordinated and efficient manner. Strong supervisory and interpersonal skills required.
Knowledge of United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Massachusetts Dept. of
Environmental Protection (DEP) permit requirements, laws, rules and regulations. Ability to establish
effective working relationships with subordinates, representatives of the City, and the public. Initiative
and resourcefulness in handling general administrative problems.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical
procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and
procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of
managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and
fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions,
percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an
extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract
and concrete variables.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee
frequently is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and taste or smell. The employee is
occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally
lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision,
distance vision, color vision, and depth perception.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters
while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
The City of Lowell is a smoke and drug free employer and requires a physical with drug screen, and CORI post offer.
Qualified individuals should apply by the deadline of September 12, 2025 by submitting application/resume with cover letter using the City of Lowell job opportunities online portal:
https://cityoflowellma.munisselfservice.com/ess/employmentopportunities/default.aspx
The City is committed to encouraging diversity and inclusion through equitable opportunities for all community members. The aim is for our workforce, including contractors, to be truly representative of all sections of society and our community, and for each team member to feel respected while fostering belonging.
"The City of Lowell assures that every individual shall have equal access to all City employment opportunities. The City is all-inclusive and no person shall be denied equal access because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, military service, or physical/mental disability."
EOE/AA/504 Employer