Water Resources Project Manager

Purpose

This position plays an integral role in driving productivity and operational excellence across the Water Resources Service Center (WRSC) through exceptional project management, analytics, and continuous improvement. The Project Manager is responsible for managing projects that support business, technical, and operational initiatives, while also serving as a central coordinator for WRSC-wide data management, reporting, and process improvement efforts. The position ensures the effective use of asset management and GIS software platforms to support planning, infrastructure maintenance, and capital delivery. This role combines strategic thinking, technical aptitude, and strong communication skills to deliver projects and initiatives that enhance service delivery, optimize resource use, and promote transparency and accountability.

Essential Job Functions

• Leads the development and implementation of WRSC-wide data analytics systems and dashboards to monitor operational performance, support decision-making, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Coordinates and standardizes data collection, validation, and analysis activities across WRSC departments; compiles operational data to prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual performance and compliance reports.
• Administers and supports the City’s enterprise asset management (EAM) and geographic information systems (GIS) platforms for Water, Sewer, and Stormwater utilities; serves as the WRSC liaison to IT/GIS teams and ensures software integration with operations.
• Reviews existing policies, business processes, and procedures to identify inefficiencies; recommends and documents improvements through updated WRSC operational protocols.
• Provides subject matter expertise and support for utility-related data, including infrastructure inventory, maintenance history, and system condition assessments, in coordination with operations and engineering teams.
• Collaborates with departmental leaders to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and track service delivery metrics that enhance accountability and support internal and public reporting.
• Supports and leads cross-functional teams to streamline business processes and improve customer service, financial planning, and asset lifecycle management.
• Prepares and delivers presentations, briefings, and training materials for both internal staff development and external stakeholder engagement.
• Responds to all ongoing inquiries and requests from the public, the City Council, the City Manager’s Office, the WRSC Chief, and other departments by providing accurate and timely information. Uses sound judgment, discretion, and a thorough understanding of policies, procedures, and regulations to communicate both general and specialized information with professionalism, tact, and sensitivity.
• Maintains a log of all ongoing City Council requests and ensures updates are provided by City staff on a regular basis.
• Manages the WRSC items for the City Council agenda, workshop, and meeting preparation.
• Serves as project manager assisting with annual operating/capital budget development planning activities and communication tools, including editing, proofreading, and publishing of preliminary and final budget documents.
• Tracks key milestones and adjusts project plans, budget requests, and/or resources to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, adhere to high-quality standards, and meet customer expectations.
• Analyzes technology needs for WRSC budget preparation; serves as group leader in the implementation of technology solutions.
• Develop technical manuals for budget preparation.
• Acts as a liaison between WRSC and the budget department.
• Takes the initiative, interacts and communicates with City department heads, City executives, other City staff, and the public on a routine basis; demonstrates superior seamless customer service, integrity, and commitment to innovation, efficiency, and fiscally responsible activity.
• Coordinates the design and maintenance of the department's website.
• Coordinate the preparation of regular and special projects with department heads and co-workers.
• Develops and conducts surveys, collects information on operational and administrative problems, analyzes research findings, and recommends practical solutions.
• Manage projects with internal and external dependencies, moderate scope, integration with functional capabilities, moderate cost, and typically longer duration within more than one team of resources.
• Understand the goals and objectives of assigned projects, alignment with WRSC and stakeholder organization business strategy, and document scope with high level requirements.
• Understand the need for WRSC Business Case/ROI and ensure its completion.
• Responsible for developing, reviewing, validating, and approving multiple project plans, which include translating scope and user requirements to determine appropriate project milestones, deliverables, tasks, and subtasks needed to document the detailed project plan (work breakdown structure) associated with the following:
• Resource Management
• Budget/Financial Management
• Dependency Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Risk Management
• Quality Management
• Data Management & Analysis
• Information & Technology Management
• Change Management
• Issue Management
• Supports WRSC project teams by providing functional and technical team assistance.
• Manages the project delivery activities in accordance with Project Management Methodologies.
• Supports the detailed design and development of complex tools, systems, processes, programs, etc. that directly impact WRSC operational decisions and objectives.
• Leads or supports major development initiatives targeted at achieving WRSC operational goals and objectives.
• Develop and maintain cross-functional business partner relationships to develop, implement, and support effective operational readiness.
• Participates in change initiatives, including tasks and initiatives outside of specific job duties.
• Writes or reviews a variety of reports and correspondence.
• Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Finance or Information Systems Management; with three (3) years of experience in government budgetary/management analysis, accounting or quantitative analysis; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Must possess an accredited project management certification (traditional, agile & lean, specialized, or industry-specific) or the ability to attain it within 12 months.

May require the ability to conduct field investigations.

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.

Additional Information

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of government procurement and contract management.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of governmental accounting.
• Knowledge of municipal budgeting and finance principles, methods, and practices.
• Knowledge of various research techniques and their proper application.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and project management.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of systems and procedures analysis.
• Skill in critical thinking, logic, and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Skill to comprehend and make inferences from written material.
• Skill in establishing priorities and organizing work.
• Skill in analysis, coordination, research and interpretation, and implementation of policies.
• Skill in preparing reports and presentations with clearly organized thoughts in simple, non-technical language.
• Skill in the use of computers and various software applications.
• Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
• Skill in oral and written effective communication at a professional level with customers, City employees, etc.
• Knowledge of data analysis tools, business intelligence platforms, and data visualization techniques.
• Knowledge of enterprise asset management and GIS software systems (e.g., Cityworks, ArcGIS, etc.).
• Skill in collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting operational data in a clear and actionable format.
• Skill in process mapping, workflow improvement, and facilitating organizational change.

Minimum Standards

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS:  The Water Resources Administrator assigns work in terms of general instructions.  The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the results.
  
 GUIDELINES:  Guidelines include City policy, procurement guidelines, contract management guidelines, budget preparation manuals, ordinances, grant analysis and budgetary guidelines, project management guidelines, and federal and state regulations and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
  
 COMPLEXITY:  The work consists of varied project management and analysis duties. Strict deadlines and the need for accuracy contribute to the complexity of the work.
  
 SCOPE AND EFFECT:  The purpose of this position is to provide special project oversight and management for WRSC operations.  Successful performance in this position results in the provision of accurate and timely strategic capital improvement plans, operating budget plans, and other special project plans.
  
 PERSONAL CONTACTS:  Contacts are typically with co-workers, other City personnel, external auditors, and the general public.
  
 PURPOSE OF CONTACTS:  Contacts are typically to give or exchange information, provide services, resolve problems, negotiate and settle matters, and justify decisions.
  
 PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table.
  
 WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work is typically performed in an office, but sometimes requires field/outdoor investigative and assessment work.
  
 SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY:  None.