Description
The Benton Washington Regional Public Water of the State of Arkansas is currently accepting resumes to be considered for a newly created Assistant General Manager position that is expected to start on or about January 6, 2025.
BWRPWA is a regional wholesale potable water located outside of Rogers Arkansas. It is a wholesale provider to 17 municipal and rural public water systems with a coverage area of approximately 2,000 square miles and currently serves an approximate combined population of 151,000 The Transmission system runs approximately 170 miles made up of large diameter Ductile Iron Pipe and Welded Steel lines, 5 storage locations, booster pump station and booster chlorination capabilities. Among the customers served is several large industrial users such as the Simmons Foods processing plant (largest US poultry processing plant), McKee Bakeries, and the NW Arkansas National Airport. There are currently 31 employees along with some summer temporary and High School intern positions and has an annual operating budget of 22 million. Over the last 24 years, the annual regional water system usage growth rate has averaged an increase of 5.15% per year and remained at over a 6% rate per year over the last 4 years. In response to that growth, several large Capital Improvements are currently under construction, and additional future Capital Improvement projects will be undertaken through 2025 -29 in accordance with the current 30-year BWRPWA Master Plan.
BWRPWA is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of 14 Directors representing the Utilities that BWRPWA serves. The current General Manager, who has full responsibility for day-to-day operations and management, has been in that position since 2002 and has tentatively set a retirement date between May 31, 2030, and December 31, 2030. As part of BWRPWA succession planning, the position of Assistant General Manager has been created as a stepped approach to allow the seamless transition of the Assistant GM into the GM role upon the current GM’s retirement in 2030
PAY AND BENEFITS
The position of Assistant General Manager is classified as an Exempt position and is salaried. The hiring range for this position will be $110,000 to $126,250 per year. Benefits include (after 30 days employment) Employer paid (all levels of coverage) Medical Insurance (choice of a PPO Gold Plan or High Deductible HSA Plan with Company contributions), Vision, Dental, Accident, and Life Insurance (all coverages include Spouse and dependent coverage except for Life, which is optional at employee expense), Voluntary Short Term / Long term Disability are also available at the employee’s cost. Paid Vacation and Sick Days (begin accruing on first day of employment), Personal Days, and 11 Holidays annually. After 1 year of employment, Employee is eligible to participate in 457(b) Retirement Plan with a 6% Company match and access to the BWRPWA Tuition Assistance Program which employees can use to complete College or Vocational Coursework applicable to their positions. This position also includes the use of a Company Vehicle and cell phone along with Uniforms provided. All cost for attendance to training events, conferences, and organizational meetings is provided by BWRPWA, along with all memberships in all related water advocacy organizations It is expected that the Assistant General Manger will obtain the memberships offered and actively participate in these organizations at a local, state, regional, and national level.
Relocation assistance for the Assistant General Manger position may be available if approved by the BWRPWA Board of Directors upon the acceptance of the position
Requirements
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
1.) A minimum of 5 (five) years of progressive management and /or administrative experience in a public water provider or public water agency setting; or a minimum of 7 (seven) years’ experience in a surface water treatment facility in a supervisory or Responsible Operator in Charge position
2.) Minimum of 2 years’ experience working directly with an elected and / or appointed governing body, as well as experience working directly with State and Federal regulatory officials.
3.) A good working knowledge and experience with the budgeting processes: as well as the workings of Municipal Bond financing, and knowledge and / or experience with other financing options such as SRF, USDA, WIFIA and other funding mechanisms.
EDUCATION / TRAINING
Experience and /or college coursework equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in business or public administration, engineering, finance, public policy, management, biological or chemical sciences, or a related field. Training provided through supervisory and managerial work experience and / or coursework in the public water supply and distribution fields would also apply to meeting this requirement.
LICENSES OR CERTIFICATIONS
1.) Valid Class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.
2.) Valid Arkansas Grade 4 Water Treatment Operator License or ability to obtain through reciprocity or testing within 12 months of hire. (must have a valid and current surface water or water treatment license, minimum of 2nd highest level, from your current State when applying)
3.) Valid Arkansas Grade 4 Water Distribution Operator License or ability to obtain through reciprocity or testing within 12 months of hire. (must have a valid and current water distribution license, minimum of second highest level, from your current State when applying)
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
1) The Assistant GM must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various BWRPWA outlying sites and various meeting sites within local, area, state, and national venues; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.
2) The Assistant GM must have the ability to make occasional public presentations to local, area, state, and national audiences and will have the ability to work with local, area, and state media.
3) This position is primarily a sedentary office classification, although standing in work areas and walking or driving between work areas is required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator, and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds and be able to climb stairs and ladders as necessary.
4) The ability to differentiate between colors in a laboratory setting is also required; as well as the ability to understand, interpret, and statistically categorize laboratory testing results.
5) The ability.to read, understand, interpret, and implement all regulatory requirements under the SDWA, Arkansas Department of Health, NPDES, RMP, Department of Labor, OSHA, and other agencies.
6) Assistant GM must be willing to travel on occasion and will be expected to participate in Conferences and meetings. This includes, but is not limited to local, area, state, regional, and national organizations such as Northwest District AWW&WEA, AWW&WEA, AWWA, SW Section AWWA, AMWA, and others.
7) Must be proficient in the usage of, and possess the ability to understand, the English language.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
The Assistant General Manager will typically work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. However, when working outside of the office environment at BWRPWA facilities, exposure to high noise levels, ambient temperature conditions, adverse weather conditions, confined spaces, and hazardous physical substances can occur, and appropriate safety measures must be taken. In addition, this employee may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
ARKANSAS ACT 593 OF 2017
Under Act 593, The position of Assistant General Manager is deemed to be Safety Sensitive.
For a complete job description of the Assistant General Manager position, please go to bwrpwa.com to download.
TO APPLY FOR POSITION
To apply for the Assistant Manager Position, please send a Cover letter and Resume that covers, at a minimum, your last 10 years of employment, relevant training or college coursework completed, current licensing, water related organizations that you are currently a member in and participate in, and please include contact information for previous employers. If you would prefer us not to contact your current employer regarding this position, please indicate that also. Please also include 3 professional references and their full contact information.
All resumes and cover letters must be received by no later than September 6, 2024. Interviews of selected candidates will be conducted by the BWRPWA Board of Directors Personnel Committee and other interested Board Members and BWRPWA staff beginning in mid-October 2024. For selected interview candidates, any associated travel costs to interview can be reimbursed if necessary. All prospective candidates for the position of Assistant General Manager must be able to pass a DOT drug test and pass a comprehensive criminal background check before any offer of employment is made.
To submit your Resume and Cover Letter:
By email: Send to Jana Wright jana.wright@bwrpwa.com and Scott Borman scott.borman@bwrpwa.com In the subject line please state - Resume for Assistant Manager Position.. These are the only acceptable locations for electronic submittal of the resume and cover letter. Resumes submitted through social media or other electronic means will not be accepted.
BY USPS: Jana Wright
c/o BWRPWA
15531 Woods Lodge Rd
Rogers AR 72756-9088
BWRPWA is committed to providing equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, or veteran status as required by all current federal and State of Arkansas laws. With respect to handicaps or disabilities, BWRPWA has certain physical minimums which any applicant must meet for specific job descriptions. BWRPWA’s commitment extends to all employment related decisions, terms and conditions of employment, including job opportunities, promotions, pay, and benefits.
For more information on the Benton Washington Regional Public Water Authority please visit bwrpwa.com
