The City of Savannah is seeking a visionary Water Resources Director to lead an innovative, customer service-oriented, and forward-thinking Water Resources Department. The next director will be outstanding in project management and lead with a customer service focus that effectively coordinates with all internal departments in the City, external stakeholders, and will work to meet City goals. The City of Savannah operates under a Council/City Manager form of government with a budget of $414.5M, AA+ bond ratings and over 2400 employees working across 26 departments.
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Water Resources Department and Position Overview
The City Manager realigned the Water Resources Department in 2020 which now consists of six divisions: Water Department, Sewer Department, Distribution, Engineering and Planning, Stormwater and an administrative team with specialties in contract coordination, environmental management and special projects
Reporting to the Chief Infrastructure and Development Officer (CIDO), the Water Resources Director will oversee a department with 334 employees working in diverse and complex operations and capital programs related to Wastewater Treatment, Storm water conveyance, Water distribution and Water Sewer conveyance, Industrial Pretreatment, Fats Oils & Grease Programs, Sewer Televising and Inspections, and a Wastewater Laboratory. This position is responsible for implementing comprehensive water resources for the city; and overseeing projects to ensure compliance and guiding the vision of the Water Resources Department.
With a water and sewer budget of $43.3M, Stormwater of $6.0M, a five-year capital plan totaling $94M budgeted for water and sewer projects, and $71.2M budgeted for Stormwater drainage improvement projects, the director oversees a department that interfaces with other departments in the City and has extensive external contact with citizens, business leaders, builders and developers.
Savannah Water Resources provides service to 80,000 accounts. Drinking water is pumped from either the Floridian Aquafer or the Savannah River. Water pumped from the Savannah River is pumped to the Industrial & Domestic Water plant on highway 21 for treatment. Water is also withdrawn from 42 deep Floridian Aquafer wells for water supply. The City of Savannah supplies roughly 34 million gallons of clean drinking water to its resident. The City of Savannah delivers clean water to residents through 800+ miles of water distribution infrastructure.
Used water is pumped to one of four treatment plants using 165 lift stations and 700 miles of sewer infrastructure. The City of Savannah owns and operates four water reclamation facilities (fifth under construction) that range in treatment capacity from 3 to 27 million gallons per day. The largest of the four water reclamation facilities supplies reclaimed water to one of three local golf courses for irrigation.
Key Priorities for the next Director include:
investigating, educating, and recommending methods to fund Stormwater infrastructure and maintenance;
evaluating staffing needs and ensuring diversity among employees who have the training and continuing education to be maximally effective in current and future positions as a part of ongoing performance excellence and succession planning;
continued work with department leaders, who are leaders in the region and state, on managing the complex issues related to changing weather patterns and the resulting environmental impacts;
developing a philosophy of long-range and strategic planning to manage a large number of ongoing capital improvement projects, capacity evaluations, and long-range planning for water, wastewater management, and Stormwater;
developing public education initiatives to inform citizens and elected officials about water resource issues, particularly in recently annexed areas.
To review a complete list of duties and responsibilities, click the link below,
Bachelor's Degree required in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Hydrology & Water Management, Environmental Engineering or related field; Master’s Degree preferred; 6 yrs of experience in upper level management; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Ability to obtain GA Class I Wastewater Treatment Operator License within 18 months.
Georgia Professional Engineer license is desired, but not required.
Must possess and maintain a valid state driver's license with an acceptable driving history.
Additional Requirements Background investigation, including supervised drug screen, post offer/pre-employment medical screen; and verification of education, certifications, and licenses required prior to employment.
NOTES:
Employer will assist with relocation costs.
Additional Salary Information: DOE, DOQ
About City of Savannah
If Savannah’s Trees Could Talk…
They’d tell you about pirates, cotton, and a revolutionary town plan dating to 1733. They’d tell you about a citizenry that treats hospitality as an art form, of a St. Patrick’s Day celebration that defies description, and of a city’s beauty so profound that it stopped even General William Tecumseh Sherman in his tracks.
They’d tell you about a group of women who banded together to protect this historic treasure, inventing the modern preservation movement in the process.
And then those same trees - an urban canopy unequalled in the United States - would offer a more recent story. They’d tell you about things happening on the Coast that are transforming Georgia’s first city into one of the most dynamic and creative economies in the southeast.
A Modern Innovation
Behind Savannah’s historic facade are vibrant, forward-thinking residents, a progressive government, and an innovative business community. Underneath those cobble-stoned streets lie 38 miles of fiber optic cable. Those jaw-dropping container ships that lumber past our picture post card waterfront? They’re headed to the fastest growing and fourth busiest port in the nation.
Sa...vannah’s got a history of technological innovation - we built the first cotton gin, and the first steamship that crossed the ocean - so we’ve got it in our veins. We’re headquarters to a host of technology-related business, everything from giant Gulfstream Aerospace to smaller graphic design and software development pioneers.
We’ve become a magnet for creative talent, and why not? Art galleries are everywhere. One of the world’s most respected design schools - the Savannah College of Art and Design - calls us home. The Savannah Music Festival has grown into one of the largest and most diverse music festivals on the East Coast. The Times of London placed it on its list of “The best events around the world in 2009” - the only event in the United States to make the cut.
Artists, musicians and writers have long been a fan of our jewel box squares and seductive coastline, serving as the muse for many accomplished creative practitioners. Johnny Mercer, of “Moon River” fame, was a native and is buried at Bonaventure Cemetery surrounded by his lyrics engraved in stone. Writers Conrad Aiken and Flannery O’Conner both hailed from here. Fascinating artists discover the Savannah muse each year.
The Most Beautiful City
Savannah’s charm is something out of a fairytale - it’s the most beautiful city in the nation. We’re not just saying that - we’ve actually earned the bragging rights on this one. USA Weekend Magazine declared Savannah one of the “top 10 Most Beautiful Places in America.” The New York Times named us one of the “World’s Top Ten Trendy Travel Hot Spots.” Conde Nast Traveler picked us as a “Top 10 U.S City to Visit.” Southern Living placed us as second on its “Best Southern City” list. And Outlook Magazine called us one of the “Top 25 Places to Live and Work.”
When you’re in Savannah, you know it. The City’s character has ripened over time by looking to our heritage - honoring and loving it - then driving change to realize dreams. Our gnarled, twisting trees - some hundreds of years old - have witnessed this change, but remain firmly rooted in our community’s history. If they could talk, these trees would spin remarkable tales of Savannah’s past. But they would tell even better stories about what lies ahead.
