CITY OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
The City of Kansas City, MO Seeks an Experienced and Entrepreneurial Water Executive to Manage the Operations of the Kansas City Department of Water Services as the Deputy Director
The Community
Located in the Heart of America, Kansas City, Missouri (pop. 460,000) is a world class community with a long tradition of performing arts, outstanding sports, superb restaurants and spectacular entertainment. Located at the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, Kansas City was incorporated as a Town in 1850 and by the State in 1853.
Kansas City has a rich history of supporting the cultural arts. The City hosts two renowned art museums, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, which have extensive collections by a variety of world-renowned artists. Kansas City has commemorated its world-renowned jazz with the American Jazz Museum. There are numerous opportunities for theatre-goers, including the outdoor Starlight Theater, the American Heartland Theater located at Crown Center, the beautiful and fully restored Midland Theater, the Folly Theater and the Lyric Opera building, which hosts both opera and ballet. In addition, the Kaufman Family Foundation is in the process of constructing a $310 million Performing Arts Arena in downtown Kansas City near the Bartle Hall Exposition facility.
The City of Kansas City is served by all or parts of fourteen school districts, the largest of which is the Kansas City, Missouri School District. The Catholic Diocese sponsors 26 K-8 schools and six high schools, and there are several schools sponsored by other denominations and religions. There are more than 45 colleges and universities serving a broad and diverse population.
More than a dozen hospitals serve the City of Kansas City. In addition, Kansas City is home to the Stowers Institute for Medical Research that aspires to be one of the most innovative biomedical research facilities in the world. The Stowers Institute is a key component of the City’s Life Science Initiative. The Kansas City Area Life Sciences Institute is a not-for-profit organization jointly funded by the Kansas City Civic Council and the Kansas City Area Development Council and is dedicated to transforming Kansas City into a center for excellence in life sciences research.
Kansas City is home to numerous corporate headquarters including Hallmark Cards, H & R Block, DST Systems, Inc., Black and Veatch, Kansas City Southern Industries, and American Century (formerly Twentieth Century Investments) to name just a few. The Kansas City economy is multifaceted, with a healthy retail sales base. Continued economic growth is vital to the City’s financial condition.
Kansas City provides all of the amenities of a world-class city in an historic, charming neighborhood environment. Residents can choose from a variety of housing styles and price ranges including affordable housing in newer subdivisions or in older, renovated neighborhoods; traditional suburban homes located just minutes from the Country Club Plaza and Westport; or, beautiful mansions along scenic Ward Parkway. With more fountains than any city except Rome and more parks than any city except Paris, Kansas City is a thriving, exciting city with ambitious plans for the future.
The City Government
Granted a charter in 1850, Kansas City now operates under the Council-Manager form of government. The elected leadership of the City is comprised of a Mayor elected at large and 12 Council Members. Members are elected for four-year terms of office with a two-term limit. The City Manager is appointed upon recommendation by the Mayor and confirmation/approval of the appointment by a majority of the City Council. The City Manager is responsible for a large, varied, multiple-purpose municipal organization, representing a workforce of 6,727 FTE spread across 17 departments and a current annual budget of $1.0 billion. Additional information on the City government and its departments can be found at the City’s website: www.kcmo.org
The Water Services Department
Kansas City, Missouri Water Services Department is comprised of Water, Wastewater and Storm water utilities serving an expanding customer base in six counties. Water Services operates two water treatment plants and eight wastewater treatment plants and has an active industrial pretreatment program. The Departments operate treatment facilities that have a total capacity to treat 240 MGD of treated water, with a daily average of 120 MGD and a daily average of 105 MGD of treated wastewater. The Department has 1, 020 full time employees and total operating revenues of $141.7 million for FY 2005.
The Position
The Deputy Director reports to the Director of Water Services and has responsibility for all the operations working through the Assistant Directors. The Deputy Director serves as the Chief Operations Officer for the Department.
Issues/Opportunities
Labor management issues
Rapidly changing regulations from state and federal regulators
Develop and implementation of a large capital infrastructure rehabilitation
Participate in management of a nationally respected leader in water/wastewater utilities
Develop skills leading to the opportunity to manage a large water/wastewater utility
Act in the absence of the Director
Ability to utilize entrepreneurial strategies to grow the utility beyond the traditional water services
Ability to enhance and improve customer services.
Develop marketing and sales strategies to increase wholesale and bottled water sales.
The Ideal Candidate
Education and Experience
Candidates for the position will have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, engineering or related field, with ten years increasingly responsible water/business management experience in a comparably sized utility system. Candidates should have five years experience as a Director or Assistant Director in a comparable sized water or other public or private utility system. A Master’s degree in business administration is highly desired and may be substituted for similar experience and a proven record of success in a large water or other public/private utility system.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of regulatory requirements for water, waste water and storm water Knowledge of water plant security
Demonstrated familiarity with water and wastewater rate setting
Strong budgetary skills knowledge of financial management of water and wastewater utilities, including capital and operating financing tools
Demonstrated skill in the analysis of operations, including process improvements and the ability to recommend necessary changes to organizational structure
Thorough understanding of customer service approaches and ability to implement through out organization
Familiarity with private sector business development strategies.
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to think strategically and communicate a shared vision to the organization and community
Demonstrated ability to build a strong management team
Knowledge of sound business practices
Ability to work with and communicate to people of diverse cultural backgrounds
Understanding of the role and importance of technology in organizational productivity
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, objectives, and goals in a timely manner. Instill same values in staff.
Management Style and Personal Traits
Unquestionable ethics and high moral character
Entrepreneurial approach to water/sewer operations
Demonstrated success in managing a large water/sewer operation
Ability to set clear objectives allowing Assistant Directors to perform while holding them accountable for results
Proven team management approach
Proven management skills in workforce culture embracing cultural and generational diversity
Innovative – open to new ideas and encourages staff to do likewise
High energy level
Confident in his/her leadership
A progressive leader with a strategic orientation and the ability to anticipate rather than react to organizational/community issues, concerns and opportunities
Politically astute without being political
Good sense of humor
Strong work ethic
Compensation
The salary range is $67,488 to $106,644 plus excellent benefits. Final salary and compensation is negotiable, DOQE and record of achievement.
How to Apply
Qualified individuals should send resumes (email preferred) immediately. The position will remain open until filled. Please submit credentials, current salary and five (5) business related references promptly for consideration. Non-residents must establish residency within Kansas City, Missouri within 9 months after date of hire. Any offer of employment is contingent on the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen, background check and employment verifications.
Resumes and inquiries should be directed to:
Jim C. Blagg, Sr. VP
The Mercer Group, Inc.
405 Sommerville Court
Arlington, TX 76013
Voice: 972.740.3519 / Fax: 817.275.0897
Email: mercertx@sbcglobal.net
Resumes will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure. Candidates with relevant qualifications will be given preliminary interviews by consultants. Candidates deemed qualified will be reported to the City. A final interview process will be scheduled for selected candidates.
The City of Kansas City is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at all levels of its workplace.
The Missouri law may require disclosure of applicant information at any stage of the recruitment process.