Assistant Manager - IT

This is not a Civil Service Position.  DWSD employees are subject to provisions of Court Orders entered in United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, Case No. 77-71100 with regard to certain terms and conditions of employment.  DWSD does not honor reversion rights for internal candidates.

Applicants for open positions at the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. 

SUMMARY:
The Information Technology Assistant Manager - leads and manages the day to day tasks for Line of 
Business and/or Enterprise G I S /  C M M S  Applications Group to achieve the level of service 
required to  support  the  various  departments,  which  includes  staff  responsible  for  some  
or  all  of  the following functions: application development, maintenance and support; internet 
and intranet software platforms; enterprise content management; Geographical Information Systems; 
enterprise reporting; business process and technology integration, fleet visualization. Collaborate 
with other teams and vendors to implement changes, updates, and troubleshoot issues to find 
solutions. This role also prepares analysis and reports on active systems with a focus on managing 
a team of developers, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of applications, and 
maintaining high standards of quality and performance.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Participate in the development of policies, processes and procedures; actively interact and develop 
positive relationships with primary customers and suppliers. Responsible for providing support to 
the management and administration of the Applications Delivery function of the DWSD-IT unit. Assist 
to develop, design and implement project plans based on detailed requirements. Manage and motivate 
staff, promote effective teamwork, demonstrate continuous learning, and encourage innovation in 
others. Ensure the effective management of all assigned staff; develop training and developmental 
plans as necessary. 

Actively review and assess DWSD business processes, work methods, equipment and software requirement to ensure the most effective and efficient practices are adopted. Participate 
in the development, recommendation, and administration of DWSD-IT operating and capital budgets for 
the unit. Follow security and safety policies and procedures in carrying out work duties. A valid 
Michigan Driver’s License and the ability to drive a motor vehicle on all terrain. Provide on the 
job training.

RELATED JOB FUNCTIONS:
Assist other IT staff and team members as needed with overflow activities involving the support and 
maintenance of computers, printers, applications, databases, networks, servers, storage, and data 
center facilities, and the installation, decommissioning, and relocation of related IT equipment.
Recommend changes in general administrative policies. Enforce established department policies and 
procedures. Address complaints and inquiries of an administrative nature. Perform related work 
duties as assigned.


KNOWLEDGE OF:

•  Advanced spatial analysis, custom reporting, and troubleshooting web-based GIS or enterprise 
system integrations
•  Business and management principles involved in strategic and operational planning, resource 
allocation, leadership techniques, service delivery, and coordination of people and resources
•  Current applications architecture and data architecture practices; applications operations; 
internal controls; performance monitoring and tuning; and systems upgrade
•  Programming development languages and relational database management principals
•  Concepts,  practices  and  procedures  (COBIT  and  ITIL),  including  Change  Management, 
Software/Systems Development Life Cycle for application development and management.
•  Lead Data Governance & QA/QC: Help enforce data standards, maintain enterprise geodatabases, and 
ensure metadata accuracy
•  Demonstrate effective decision-making through innovation and results oriented leadership, the 
ability to promote and foster teamwork, and establish and operate in an environment which provides 
the capacity for excellence; contribute to leadership planning and change
•  Communicate both verbally and in writing at all levels of the organization, negotiate and 
develop solid internal and external relationships
•  Respond to internal or public inquiries and assist staff with spatial analysis; conduct 
occasional site visits, GPS data collection, or physical inspections
•  Contribute to leadership planning and change

ABILITY TO:
•  Manage staff and utilize management experience gained through progressively more responsible 
positions in the utility industry
•  Prepare financial budgets and monitor expenditures for tasks
•  Plan and build reliability and efficiencies into the organization to ensure uninterrupted 
services
•  Motivate, train, lead, and develop staff for improved performance and efficiency
•  Display resourcefulness and initiative in performance of duties
•  Effectively utilize appropriate security and safety equipment and procedures
•  Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
•  Understand and follow verbal and written instructions
•  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
•  Communicate frequently with team members and other units across the Department about process, 
equipment or potential problems
•  Develop proficiency in unit specific operations and software
•  Maintain regular and reliable attendance
•  Manage a multidisciplinary staff including employee relation issues
•  Direct team activities or to work as a team member



REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

•  Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or 
related discipline
•  A minimum of two (2) years of leadership and operational experience gained through progressively 
more responsible positions
•  Professional Accreditation in related functional field preferred
•  Work experience in the utility industry preferred



Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to 
successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to 
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This position requires the ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, 
walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, feel, talk, hear see, and perform repetitive motions. Essential 
duties require the mental and/or physical ability to work in a standard office environment; read 
fine print on blueprints and display terminals; converse by telephone, two-way radio and in person 
using writing instruments, calculators, and personal computers; and strength to lift and carry up 
to 40 pounds. The work requires the ability to distinguish colors and to hear audible alarms. 
Incumbents may be subject to potentially hazardous physical conditions, atmospheric conditions, 
extreme temperatures, intense noise, and/or vehicle traffic.

Environmental Working Requirements:
Work is performed in a plant, remote sites, office environment or other locations within the DWSD 
Service Area, with exposure to computer screens, working in team offices and closely with all 
staffing levels. Employees within this classification may be exposed to dust and electrical 
connections, and frequent work with computer equipment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Valid Michigan Driver’s License
The ability to work irregular hours, to commute to DWSD facilities and work sites, and respond to 
after hour emergencies and on-call responses
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned 
to the class. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other 
than those stated in this specification. Specific job duties may vary from position to position. 
Employees in this class are required to
undergo alcohol and drug screening and are subject to a criminal background investigation.