MERRIMACK VILLAGE DISTRICT

Position Title: Water Superintendent/Business Manager

Statement of Duties

The Water Superintendent/Business Manager (Superintendent) shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the MVD and shall carry out the policies laid down by the Board of Commissioners (BOC). The Superintendent shall be responsible to the BOC for the proper administration of all affairs of the District including the preservation of the public water supply, public health and safety of all citizens and customers of the District and maintenance of all District owned property and utilities and be in responsible charge of the maintenance, care, construction or otherwise of all water mains, wells, appurtenant fixtures and equipment, buildings and all other District owned structures.

The Superintendent shall keep the BOC informed of the condition and needs of the District and shall make such reports as may be required by law (RSA:52, for example) or ordinance, by-law or as may be requested by the BOC and such other reports and recommendations as the Superintendent may deem advisable and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the BOC or required by ordinance, by-law or resolution of the BOC not inconsistent with the law or policy as established by the BOC.

The Superintendent shall have and perform such other powers and duties not inconsistent with the provision of any MVD by-laws as are or hereafter may be conferred or imposed on the Superintendent by municipal ordinance or by-laws. The Superintendent shall have the right to take part in the discussion of all matters coming before the BOC but not the right to vote.

Supervision

Incumbent works under the general direction of the BOC, receiving very little instructions for daily responsibilities, general directions (usually verbal, sometimes written) for specific assignments, and occasionally specific instructions for a special project. Incumbent has substantial responsibility for determining the sequence and time of actions and substantial independence in planning and organizing administrative and field responsibilities and activities, usually determining the work methods. Work performed is reviewed by keeping the BOC informed of work progress, providing information for final review/approval; and through an annual evaluation. Incumbent decides most methods and practices for completing work assignments, referring certain issues to BOC in order to receive feedback on critical issues.

The incumbent has access to confidential personnel records, law suits against the District and criminal investigations and records.

Job Environment

Position requires that District rules and regulations, by-laws, and state statutes are fully understood. Judgment is used to examine, analyze, and evaluate each issue or problem presented, and to initiate a response consistent with the guidelines available. The position's responsibilities require the practical application of various practices and procedures provided by District policies, rules and regulations. When issues come to the Superintendent, a determination must be made on what route to process the request or inquiry. Another example of judgment exercised is in dealing with confidential materials that come into the office and using proper judgment as to whom and when materials can be released to the public.

Errors can result in monetary loss or legal repercussions; for instance, if processing requisitions and overseeing contracts related to the purchase of field equipment, engineer and professional services, legal bills, and general supply purchase, is incorrect, there could be a loss of revenue; or if inaccurate and incorrect information concerning District by-laws and procedures is provided, legal repercussions could result.

The position has frequent contact with the public. This position acts as the liaison for the BOC to the community, the amount of time dealing with the public in person, via email and on the telephone can vary from day to day. There is constant daily contact within the District, frequent contact with outside agencies such as area businesses, other water departments, non-profit organizations, press, community members, BOC members, town boards, state offices, federal agencies and congressional offices. Contacts concern outside organizations, school district, business and individuals looking for information on District policies, by-laws and procedures; the press requesting information on District activities. Contact types are usually by email, telephone, fax, in person or in writing.

Position Functions

The Superintendent is primarily responsible for providing safe, healthy drinking water and fire protection to the businesses and residents of Merrimack. The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The listing below is not intended to be in a priority order.

Essential Functions

1. Oversees the management of the Administrative, Treatment and Distribution staff, provides work direction, intimately involved in day to day operations of the MVD, this includes but is not limited to supervising, working with and requesting information from department heads.
2. Insure that pumping stations, distribution and treatment facilities perform to meet water quality and sampling requirement required by federal and state agencies and solving water quality issues which may arise.
3. Coordinates plan review and reviews plans for waterline/mainline installations and submission of same to the District's engineer as may be required prior to plan approval of the Town of Merrimack planning board for water availability letter.
4. Assures that all reports, required by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) are submitted in a timely manner and that the District complies with all operational guidelines of federal and state law, regulations and administrative rules.
5. Oversees the organization and internal process of the Backflow Program with the Water Quality Testing and Operational Data person and the distribution division.
6. Provides construction and project management for pumping stations, water treatment, distribution and storage systems.
7. Oversees the GIS/GPS information technology system working closely with the NRPC, town agencies and field personnel to assure accurate and updated information on the MVD infrastructure.
8. Responsible for preparing the annual budget in conjunction with finance and the Capital Improvement Program for the District, processing and approval of bills and requisitions throughout the year.
9. Assures record keeping (as-builts, record drawings) and related subject filing systems of all relevant documents ensuring record and file adequacy and organization.
10. Negotiate and administer contracts for the District related to professional services (audits, etc), engineering, purchasing/leasing and any other general contracts.
11. Prepare all information related to regular, annual or special Village District meetings including developing agendas, researching and writing background materials regarding items going before the BOC and the public at regular, annual or special Village District meetings.
12. Oversees and directs the overall reading and billing operation on a regular basis to assure equity in treatment of all readings of customers and insures the maximum return to the District for water and services supplied.
13. Oversees the hours of operation of all personnel and approving overtime as necessary and as budgeted.
14. Supervise and review the work of secretarial, clerical , distribution and treatment staff members, performing initial and annual evaluations for staff members.
15. Represents the District at offsite meetings, take notes and reports on matters discussed.
16. Will manage or assist in the management of the computer, billing and telephone system for the District including programming the system.
17. Participation on committees as assigned by the BOC, including writing reports for the committee.
18. Prepare policies and resolutions for adoption by the BOC.
19. Prepare and write administrative and BOC District policies for adoption by the BOC.
20. Handles coordination for recruitment of employees in conjunction with human resources, distribution and treatment including advertising, dealing with applicants, checking references and gathering materials in preparation for conducting interviews.
21. Should reside within a thirty (30) minute response time.
22. After hours meetings are required.
23. Performs all other related functions as required.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Physical and Mental Requirements

The incumbent works in a moderately noisy office setting as well as in other District facilities and in the field subject to varying climatic conditions; and is required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms up to 1/3 of the time; sit and talk or listen/hear up to 2/3 of the time; and use hands more than 2/3 of the time. The incumbent occasionally lifts up to 20 lbs and occasionally moves up to 75 lbs. The position has normal vision requirements. Equipment operated includes automobile, office machines and computers and may include other heavy equipment.

Education and Experience

A candidate for this position should have at a minimum an Associates Degree (Bachelors Degree preferred), Civil or Mechanical Engineering or closely related field from an accredited college or university. Five (5) to seven (7) years experience in municipal management, water treatment, storage systems and distribution; participation in annual certified seminars to assure leadership in the industry; good oral, written and communication skills; familiarity with contract and risk management; familiarity with state laws pertaining to municipalities and the development and administration of local ordinances and by-laws.

Certificate, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid New Hampshire operators license required
• Grade II or III Water Treatment license
• Grade II or III Water Distribution license (or the ability to obtain II and III above within a 12-18 month period)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

A candidate for this position should have or be able to gain in a short period of time extensive knowledge of the District by-laws, policies of the Merrimack Village District and operations of a water district; ability to read, analyze and interpret engineering plans common scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents; ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportions to practical solutions; ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables; considerable knowledge of the basic and advanced principles and practices of office and general business management; working knowledge of word processing, database, spreadsheet and plant control automation software; comfortable accessing the internet; considerable knowledge of the English language to ensure appropriate grammar, spelling and punctuation, knowledge of the operation of the treatment and distribution and billing areas of the District; the ability to deal with the public in a tactful manner as situations may include encounters with hostile people; the ability to work fairly with minimal supervision; and the ability to comprehend and be familiar with the enormous amount of information related to District policies.

Merrimack Village District Water Works
2 Greens Pond Road
Merrimack, NH 03054

© 2006 All Rights Reserved

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