Area Manager III

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we're delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you're looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S.

Are you looking for a fantastic career at Aqua? We have a great opportunity for an Area Manager for our Central division in Kankakee & Will counties.

The duties of the Area Manager shall include the management and administration of all activities within assigned divisions. The Area Manager shall direct the staff for the efficient operation of the company to ensure quality customer and community service, employee and regulatory relationships and appropriate shareholder return. The Area Manager is responsible for growing the customer base and for acquiring additional systems to make company operations more efficient. The position is one of integrity and appropriate disclosure will be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Develop plans, establish priorities and allocate resources to carry out company programs including, but not limited to:
  • Long range planning
  • Annual operating and capital budgets
  • Growing customer base and acquiring additional systems where prudent
  • Other company goals, objectives and programs
  • Establishment of goals and objectives for assigned functional area (customer service, distribution, treatment or government relations).
• Follow procedures and establish direction to ensure proper financial controls which best utilize and protect company assets.
• Follow procedures and establish direction to ensure proper controls are in place for the safe, proper and efficient operations of any water and waste water systems including water supply, treatment, and distribution systems.
• Actively promote the company's position and image by establishing and maintaining positive communications and relationships with customers, communities, public officials, regulators and media.
• Manage departmental supervisors and ensure they are planning, assigning, and directing work within their areas of responsibility. Supervisors will utilize technical software for work order management, and review accounts/billing accuracy. Responsible for driving Company initiatives within the division for technology, process and systems innovation in order to ensure timely and pervasive utilization.
• Overall management of the Collective Bargaining Union to ensure company is following agreement, maintaining strong relationships with union officials, and strategic partner during union negotiations.
• Implements programs to ensure quality service is provided to customers, including compliance with all federal and state regulations, and compliance with state business and economic regulations for public utilities. Seeks to deliver value to the customer through best management practices.
• Administration of all employee relations, including staffing, labor relations, compliance with personnel policies and programs, staff development and personnel reviews, as well as compliance with Aqua Illinois' safety programs and policies.
• Safeguard shareholders equity and assure adequate return on the same.
• Exhibit strong leadership skills and have the personality and characteristics necessary to lead company employees and conduct business with customers, regulators, communities and public officials.
• Actively engage and motivate people, manage differences and resolve conflicts and unite people in a common effort to obtain company objectives. Must be able to anticipate and help the company and its employees adapt to change.
• Must be available for emergencies or consultation 24/7 and respond if necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATIONAL & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Required five years experience in water utility industry.
• Required three years management experience.
• The ideal candidate will have knowledge in both operational and financial aspects of water & waste water utility operation.
• Must be computer literate and proficient with Microsoft Office applications, as well as other software applications used in the normal course of business.
• Must have a valid U.S. Drivers License.
• Frequent travel across division as needed.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.