COLUMBUS WATER WORKS, COLUMBUS, GEORGIA
This is an exciting opportunity to live and work in a city where southern hospitality is alive and well. Columbus, Georgia’s third largest city and fourth largest metropolitan area, is a thriving community where old and new come together with a sense of new city growth, old city charm and genuine love of life.
Columbus Water Works (CWW) is seeking a dedicated, responsive, and experienced individual for its next President. The ideal candidate will be a proven leader and manager as well as be someone with an understanding of the diverse needs of the Columbus community.
The successful candidate must possess a Bachelor's Degree in Public or Business Administration, Engineering Science or a related field. A Master’s Degree in a related field as well as ten (10) years of progressively responsible senior-level leadership and management experience in the water and wastewater industry is preferred.
Under the general direction of the Board of Water Commissioners, the new President will be responsible for general management and direction of all aspects of CWW to ensure proper use of public funds for the daily operation and long-term effectiveness of the water and wastewater systems.
The City of Columbus encompasses an area of approximately 221 square miles, of which 216 square miles is land and 4.7 square miles is water. The City is located in the west central part of the State of Georgia bordering on the Alabama state line. Columbus is located 90 miles southwest of the City of Atlanta and approximately 80 miles east of Montgomery, Alabama. A vibrant and growing community of 250,000 people, Columbus has extended its corporate limits eight times since 1828 in order to maintain pace with urban development.
Columbus is Georgia’s first consolidated government. The City of Columbus merged with Muscogee County in 1971, creating a streamlined system that provides a very high level of citizen services at a very low per capita cost.
The City of Columbus operates under a Council-Manager form of government. There is a Mayor and ten Council Members who serve staggered terms. The Mayor is elected at-large and council represents single member districts. The Mayor serves as the principal spokesperson and representative of the City and is the presiding officer at Council meetings.
Clean drinking water is critical to the quality of life of any community, and Columbus Water Works is dedicated to providing a consistent supply to more than 66,000 homes, businesses, and industries every day. Environmentally-sound wastewater treatment is equally important to a community’s health and well-being, and CWW offers collection and treatment of wastewater from more than 62,000 customer locations daily. CWW also owns and operates the water and sewer systems in Fort Benning, which trains 140,000 soldiers per year. CWW operates in 5 different water treatment facilities, employs 259 full-time employees and has a current annual operating budget of over 65 million dollars which includes Fort Bening.
As a result of the most recent military Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) action, Fort Benning, adjacent to Columbus, will be experiencing a large expansion. This will add substantially to the demand for services provided by Columbus Water Works.
The Board is made up of five members, with the Mayor of Columbus serving as an ex-officio member and the remaining four seats appointed by the Columbus City Council (two from districts, two at-large).
The starting salary for the President position for the Columbus Water Works will be market competitive, depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected individual. In addition, an excellent fringe benefit package will be provided along with reasonable relocation expenses.
For additional information on this outstanding opportunity, please contact James L. Mercer, President/CEO, The Mercer Group, Inc. at 770-551-0403; mercer@mindspring.com.
Confidential resumes should be sent by close of business January 27, 2012, to James L. Mercer, President/CEO, The Mercer Group, Inc., 5579B Chamblee Dunwoody Road, #511, Atlanta, GA 30338. Voice: 770-551-0403; Fax: 770-399-9749. E-Mail: mercer@mindspring.com; Website: www.mercergroupinc.com
The City of Columbus is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minority and Female Candidates are Encouraged to Apply.