Chief Operations Officer   Employer: Alexandria Sanitation Authority Job Location: Alexandria , VA Cash Compensation: Industry Type: Building Owners Job Description: The Chief Operations Officer position is a new senior level position requiring at least ten years experience in progressively responsible management with at least four years at the executive management level, preferably in wastewater, water, or utility fields. Working under the general supervision of the Engineer-Director/General Manager, this position is responsible for providing the executive leadership, management, and vision necessary to ensure the Authority has the appropriate operational controls, technical expertise, regulatory reporting, financial and administrative infrastructure, and people systems in place to increase operational efficiency and enhance procedural effectiveness. The Chief Operations Officer serves as principal advisor to Engineer-Director/General Manager as it relates to the development and implementation of the Authority's strategic business plans. This position will collaborate with Division Directors to develop and implement plans, strategies and initiatives that support the core mission of the Authority. S/he may interact with the Authority's Board of Directors on financial and customer issues and must work effectively with individuals and groups outside the organization. The Chief Operations Officer must provide effective leadership to all employees of the Authority. The individual may serve as the Engineer-Director/General Manager designee on certain delegated issues. ASA has recently completed a beautiful, state-of-the-art facility and features a creative and innovative work culture with a goal of being one of the leading wastewater utilities in the country. This is an opportunity to be part of an organization dedicated to public service, teamwork and protecting the environment. If you want the opportunity to shape the future, innovate in your field, and learn and grow, this position may be what you are looking for. Examples of duties include: * Design, implement, and monitor the Authority's strategic, organizational objectives for the successful operation and maintenance of the facility based on current and anticipated regulatory requirements, all applicable permits and contractual obligations. * Define, track, report and periodically assess the Authority's performance objectives as it relates compliance and federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. * Understand regulatory drivers and tradeoffs. * Research, promote and direct ongoing research into new technologies. * Incorporate viable new industry trends and equipment into the Authority's treatment processes. * Maintain up-to-date knowledge and complete risk analyses of emerging issues impacting neighboring municipalities and our surrounding community. * Oversee the entire operational, maintenance and laboratory functions for the facility including the collection systems and pump stations during normal, emergency and intense weather conditions. * Responsible for administration of all trust agreements, construction documentation, contracts and other agreements to which the Authority is a party. * Oversee preparation of plans specifications and bid proposals for construction projects. * Identify and develop relationships in an attempt to identify alternate funding sources. * Ensure that the financial procedures and reporting obligations meet all accounting standards and are done in a transparent manner. * Review all budgetary submissions and monitor expenditures to insure compliance with the Authority's financial management strategies. * Manages budget/finance - tracks, adjusts, integrates - balances short and longer term needs/drivers; * Foster and develop relationships with key stakeholders, the general public, our partners, community and staff to identify marketing opportunities, new business developments and to increase awareness of our services. * Represent the Authority at appropriate City Council, industry conferences, government forums and other events. * Present technical papers or communicate new practices to partners, government organizations, and/or at industry conferences. * Implement strategies to attract and retain a talented, diverse workforce to meet the changing needs of the organization. * Oversee and direct the activities of all Authority staff engaged in meeting the permit requirements, programs, obligations and policies of the Authority. * Regularly set and evaluate performance objectives for each direct report and each division within the organization. * Serves as principal advisor to Engineer-Director/General Manager in developing and implementing business plans for the Authority; * Serve as Engineer-Director/General Manager designate on assigned issues. * Perform all work in a safe manner. * Promote and support the organizational team-based and learning philosophies. To qualify: * Seasoned and mature leader with a minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible management experience of which at least 4 years of experience at the executive management level, preferably in the wastewater, water or utility industry. * Minimum requirement is a B.S. degree in civil, sanitary, environmental, or chemical engineering. Advanced degree in technical or management field preferred. * A valid Professional Engineer license is preferred. * Class I Virginia Wastewater Operator license is preferred or as an alternative, must be able to obtain a Class I Virginia Wastewater Operator License within one year of employment. * Must have strongly demonstrated professional leadership, management and organizational skills. * Must have the ability to foster professional relationships within the Authority and between the Divisions and other Authority staff. * Must have considerable project management experience; and a demonstrated leadership record as a senior manager. * Required knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Possesses a comprehensive knowledge of the principles and practices of senior management, project direction and coordination and continuous organizational improvement; * Demonstrated understanding of wastewater reclamation systems and approaches to the organization and management of related staff and functions; * Strong understanding of information management systems and available research tools; * Demonstrated excellence in managing finance and business functions; * Strong analytical and abstract reasoning skills and experience interpreting strategic vision into an operational model; * Ability to make complex decisions using sound judgment while considering the maximum optimization of multiple factors; * Effective communicator with strong verbal, written and listening skills, which includes the ability to write reports and prepare and deliver effective written and persuasive oral presentations; * Must be able to interface and work well with all levels of government and industry organizations and display good professional judgment, management expertise and decisiveness; * Proven facilitation, mediation and presentation skills using considerable tact and diplomacy. * Demonstrated experience as an initiator and leader of organization change; * Relationship-oriented leader with a collaborative and flexible style and a strong service mentality; * Ability to inspire, motivate and coach others to perform well and accept feedback from others. * Positive outlook and energy with a passion for public service and the organization's mission. Company Description: Our plant is an Advanced Waste Treatment (AWT) facility with a design capacity of 54 million gallons per day (MGD). It is located on a 30-acre site on the north bank of Hunting Creek near its junction with the Potomac River. We provide sewage treatment for 350,000 people in a service area of 51 square miles, which includes the City of Alexandria and portions of Fairfax County. The Authority also owns and operates three pump stations and three interceptor sewers. Current processes include preliminary, primary, and secondary treatments followed by chemical addition (metal salt) for phosphorus removal, sedimentation, filtration, ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and post aeration. Solids processing includes gravity thickening of primary and tertiary sludges, mechanical thickening of waste activated sludge, centrifuge dewatering, prepasteurization, anaerobic digestion and land application.