ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) is a not-for-profit, community-owned water utility, overseen by elected officials and citizen appointees from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County. TMWA has a highly skilled workforce who ensure the around-the-clock treatment, delivery and availability of high-quality drinking water for more than 400,000 residents of the Truckee Meadows.

We are looking to hire a Director of Natural Resources, to join our Natural Resources Department.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, leads, and provides strategic direction for the following areas of responsibility: Water Rights; Lands; Conservation, Hydrologic Sciences; and Watershed Protection which includes the management and use of water rights; the acquisition, contracting from and management of present and future water supplies; the preparation of Water Resource Plans; the development adjustment and modification of TMWA’s Rates and Rules. Serves as the analytic and strategic core of TMWA’s growth, stabilization, sustainability, innovation, conservation, and operational initiatives, leading to the development of comprehensive water resource, operational and business strategies, and policies.

Receives policy direction from the General Manager. Provides input and direction as a member of the executive leadership team in establishing policies, procedures, goals, and objectives for TMWA and exercises direct supervision over department and divisions through subordinate levels of supervision.

Oversees, leads, and participates in all activities of assigned departments, including short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of departmental directives, procedures, and services. Assists the General Manager in a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of Board policy, TMWA functions and activities, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement interdisciplinary projects and programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
We believe that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the incumbent nor TMWA to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors.

• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of assigned staff; with staff, develops, implements, and monitors policies and procedures, work plans to achieve goals and objectives; contributes to the development of and monitors performance against department budget and TMWA’s business objectives; supervises and participates in developing, implementing, and evaluating work plans and processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards.
• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends compensation and provides other rewards to recognize performance; subject to management concurrence, takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with TMWA’s rules, policies and labor contract provisions.
• Provides day-to-day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high performance, customer-focused environment that supports achieving TMWA’s vision, objectives, and values.
• Participates in the preparation and development of the Department’s annual budgets, monitors expenditures against goals and objectives; directs budgetary changes to meet changing conditions.
• Prepares formal reports; makes presentations to the TMWA Board, and professionally represents TMWA before regulatory and permitting agencies, other governmental agencies, committees, boards, advisory boards, planning groups, and the public.
   
• Prepares special and recurring studies and reports; develops recommendations to improve the operations of assigned areas and coordinates activities with other divisions, departments, and agencies.
• Confers with, advises, and provides technical assistance to staff regarding and for assigned areas.
• Reviews, coordinates, and works with staff to ensure the implementation of local, state, and federal laws and regulations for assigned areas.
• Facilitates work, negotiates and works closely with other utilities and agencies in regard to operating agreements, water regulation issues, river issues, regional-water supply and water quality issues, changes to environmental regulations and compliance, interfacing with regulatory agencies and legislative bodies.
• Works on issues related to water resource management, sustainability, innovation, conservation, proposed developments, development of annexation agreements, rights-of-way. Negotiates complex agreements related to storage, supply, resources and land issues.
• Coordinates with the General Manager regarding potential future water resources
• Analyzes, develops and recommends strategies to enhance sustainability, innovation, conservation, and optimization of the region’s water resources; identifies opportunities for TMWA to leverage cross-program strengths to take advantage of new opportunities and/or to address organizational or regional challenges.
• Provides leadership and direction for analyzing and long-range planning of TMWA’s response to changing environmental and water quality issues affecting the Region’s and TMWA’s water sources/supplies.
• Oversees all planning and analysis activity regarding water resources to ensure TMWA has adequate rights and permits to surface and groundwater supplies for its current and future customers.
• Oversees all activities relating to acquisitions, agreements, maintenance, and purchase of rights-of-way, surveys, easements and real property necessary for TMWA facilities and activities.
• Provides project management on one or more critical and/or complex engineering, environmental, or regional utility projects or programs which may include procuring, organizing, directing and managing multiple specialized consultants.
• Directs the activity regarding development and maintenance of relations with the Nevada Division of Water Resources and other outside agencies involved with area water supply.
• Direct, coordinate and/or participate in work with other water utilities, wholesale water customers and development customers.
• Coordinates and negotiates agreements with other agencies, Truckee River users, wholesale water customers and development customers (i.e. annexation agreements); meets and communicates with other water utilities regarding water issues.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the minimum requirements is:

Experience:  Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive responsibility and experience in planning, resources, sustainability, conservation innovation, and resiliency projects.

Education & Training: Graduation from high school, or G.E.D equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in mathematics, business, economics, engineering, environmental science, or hydrologic sciences with a preference given to advanced degrees in similar or related field.

Must have working-level knowledge of the English language including reading, writing, and speaking English.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSURE & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

A valid Nevada (or California – depending on state of residency) Driver License at time of hire and continuing thereafter.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation. During hire by TMWA and periodically during employment, background investigations may be conducted.

This position is considered a safety sensitive position and employment is contingent upon the results of drug and/or alcohol testing which includes screening for marijuana. The presence of marijuana or other screened for substances on any employment related substance test may result in a refusal to hire or termination of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of water utility operations, Truckee River operations; hydrology/hydrogeology; lands, survey and right-of-way management; local, state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the operation areas of responsibility; principles and practices of public administration, budget development and administration; administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, project management, and program development, implementation, and analysis; principles and practices of effective communication, management, and supervision; principles of labor relations; standard office practices and procedures, including computer applications related to the work.

Skill/Ability to:

Plan, assign, direct and coordinate a variety of functional areas with overlapping work; select, motivate, and evaluate staff and provide for their training and development; prepare, administer, and monitor a division budget; analyze complex efficiency, operational and administrative problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend or implement effective courses of action; develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards and management controls; exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines; establish and maintain effective working relationships with managers, staff, contractors, consultants, vendors, regulators, and others encountered in the course of work; use tact, discretion, and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive situations and concerned people and customers both internal and external; collaborate and cooperate with other departments on company wide projects and initiatives; understand, interpret, explain, and adhere to federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and codes and TMWA policies, procedures, and rules; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;

model and encourage open, honest, and direct communications both internal and external to department; encourage an organizational culture of inclusion and empower staff at all levels to take a solutions-focused approach to resolve problems and implement appropriate conflict management strategies; prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials; contribute effectively to the accomplishment of team, departmental and organizational goals, objectives, and activities.

TMWA is an equal opportunity employer.  It is TMWA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. TMWA’s commitment to equal opportunity includes all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, job placement, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, advancement, and termination.

All decisions affecting any terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, salary, disciplinary action, and an employee’s caregiving responsibilities, will be made without regard to race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, gender, religion, age, national origin, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, military and/or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. 

TMWA complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@tmwa.com or 775-834-8294.

TMWA is committed to providing a safe work environment and to fostering the health and well-being of our employees. That commitment is jeopardized when any of our employees illegally use drugs at home or at work, comes to work under the influence, possesses, distributes, or sells drugs in the workplace, or abuses alcohol on the job. As part of our commitment to safeguard the well-being of our employees and to provide a safe environment for everyone, TMWA has established a drug-free workplace policy.