Public Utilities Director

Role Description: Franklin County is seeking an innovative, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as its next Director of Public Utilities. Located in one of North Carolina's fastest-growing counties, Franklin County offers a unique opportunity for an experienced utility executive to lead a growing countywide water and sewer enterprise while helping shape the future of a rapidly expanding community within the Research Triangle Region. Reporting directly to the County Manager, the Director serves as the chief executive responsible for planning, directing, organizing, and administering all functions of the County's Public Utilities Department, including engineering, water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, capital improvement planning, development review, customer service, utility billing, regulatory compliance, enterprise fund management, and organizational leadership. The Director provides strategic leadership for approximately 55 employees through three executive branches: Operations, Infrastructure Services, and Business Services. The current leadership structure includes the Chief of Operations, Assistant Public Utilities Director, and proposed Assistant Business Utilities Director/CFO. The Director may recommend and implement organizational changes necessary to strengthen accountability, technical performance, customer service, coordination, and succession planning across the Department. This position works closely with the County Manager, Assistant County Managers, Board of Commissioners, municipal partners, developers, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and regional water providers to ensure reliable, financially sustainable, and customer-focused utility services that support Franklin County's continued growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the Public Utilities Department. Advises the County Manager, Assistant County Managers, and Board of Commissioners and supports implementation of the County's Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals. Develops and executes a departmental business plan that translates County priorities into goals, policies, performance measures, assigned accountability, and continuous-improvement initiatives. Leads cross-functional initiatives that improve cost, efficiency, accountability, customer trust, and Utility Engineering & Capital Planning Oversees engineering activities, infrastructure and regional water-supply planning, capital improvement programs, consultant and contractor management, development review, inspections, GIS, project delivery, and technical studies through the Infrastructure Services branch. Directs project scope, schedule, quality, risk, resource prioritization, and financial performance for complex capital investments. Directs operating and capital budgets, long-range financial planning, rates and fees, debt and cash-flow planning, grants, forecasting, financial analysis, fiscal policy, and data-driven financial decisions. Presents clear financial and operational information and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Commissioners. Utility Operations Provides executive oversight of water treatment, wastewater treatment, distribution, collection, maintenance, SCADA, fleet, emergency response, and quality asset management through the Operations branch. Promotes operational reliability, enterprise resilience, safety, and service continuity. Customer & Business Services Provides executive oversight of accounting, utility billing, customer service, purchasing, finance, performance reporting, and administration through the Business Services branch. Regulatory Compliance Ensures compliance with NCDEQ, EPA, OSHA, and all other applicable laws, regulations, permits, and standards. Organizational Leadership Leads, mentors, and develops department leadership and staff; establishes clear expectations, strengthens succession planning, and promotes collaboration across all three branches. Evaluates and recommends departmental structure, staffing, systems, and processes needed to meet the County's next generation of utility needs. Builds productive relationships and communicates effectively across County government and with the community. Emergency Management Ensures continuity of utility operations and supports emergency coordination. Participates and coordinates in rotating emergency-response and on-call duties and responds as operational needs require. Community & Regional Partnerships Represents the County before municipal, regional, state, and federal partners and advances regional water-supply initiatives and infrastructure planning.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Extensive knowledge of utility engineering; water and wastewater systems; enterprise fund management; operating and capital budgets; rates and fees; debt and cash‑flow planning; grants; financial analysis, fiscal policy, forecasting, and Board‑ready decision support; strategic and business planning; capital improvement programming; project scope, schedule, quality, and risk management; resource prioritization; quality asset management; regional water‑supply and infrastructure planning; regulatory compliance; operational reliability and enterprise resilience; organizational leadership and succession planning; public speaking; change management; data analytics; process improvement; and GIS, computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), and asset‑management software. Ability to resolve complex issues using sound judgment, lead multidisciplinary initiatives, translate technical, operational, and financial information into clear choices, communicate effectively with governmental and community stakeholders, build consensus, and strengthen accountability and customer service through data‑driven decision‑making and continuous improvement.

Education: Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or another closely related engineering

Required: Must possess a current Professional Engineer (PE) license in N.C. or another U.S. jurisdiction at the time of appointment and obtain licensure as a Professional Engineer in North Carolina within twelve (12) months of the date of hire. Continued employment in the position is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining the required North Carolina PE license. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Application Requirements: Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, a completed Franklin County application, and at least three professional references. Join Franklin County This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of one of North Carolina’s fastest‑growing communities. Franklin County is seeking a leader who is ready to build upon a strong foundation, guide significant investments in our water and wastewater infrastructure, and develop the people, partnerships, and systems necessary to serve our community for generations to come. Hiring Range: $140-170k (Commensurate with education and experience) Relocation Assistance Available Franklin County offers a comprehensive public‑sector benefits package.