Bessemer Utilities Director

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

12/31/2026

PAY GRADE:

Grade 38

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

Bessemer Utilities Directors perform executive-level administrative and managerial work directing the business operations, financial management, regulatory compliance, and strategic direction of the City's electric and water utilities. Employees in this job class are responsible for overseeing utility revenue, billing, financial reporting, customer service, and administrative operations; ensuring compliance with utility contracts and regulatory requirements; and leading initiatives to improve departmental performance, financial accountability, and service delivery. Employees in this job class are distinguished from the Bessemer Utilities Operations Manager by their broader responsibility for the overall administration and business management of the utility department, including executive oversight of technical operations performed through subordinate managers. Work is performed primarily in an office setting, with occasional visits to utility facilities and operational sites. Employees in this job class report to the Mayor, receive general administrative direction regarding departmental objectives and priorities, and exercise considerable independence in implementing departmental programs and operations. Employees directly and indirectly supervise managerial, professional, administrative, and operational personnel.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The City of Bessemer provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages, including medical and dental insurance, an employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is presented below:


$106,329 - $164,944

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience overseeing billing, revenue management, financial operations, or organizational improvement initiatives, including evaluating processes and implementing operational improvements.
• Experience managing departmental or organizational operations, including directing subordinate managers or supervisors, establishing operational priorities, and evaluating organizational performance.
• Experience developing or administering operating and capital budgets (e.g., monitoring revenues and expenditures, evaluating financial statements and revenue performance, assessing cost recovery, or making funding and resource allocation decisions).
• Experience managing contracts or procurement activities (e.g., evaluating proposals, administering agreements, negotiating contract terms, or monitoring vendor performance).
• Experience interpreting and applying regulatory or contractual requirements (e.g., monitoring compliance with applicable laws or contractual agreements, implementing compliance procedures, identifying and addressing compliance deficiencies, or preparing reports for regulatory agencies or oversight bodies).
  

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Directs the overall administration and business operations of the electric and water utility department by establishing departmental goals, developing strategic and operational priorities, evaluating organizational performance, and directing subordinate managers to ensure efficient operations, financial accountability, regulatory compliance, and reliable delivery of utility services.
• Directs the financial administration of the utility department by developing and administering operating and capital budgets, overseeing revenues and expenditures, evaluating utility rates and cost allocations, reviewing financial statements and audit findings, and establishing internal financial controls to maintain fiscal accountability and support the department's financial stability.
• Oversees compliance with applicable utility regulations, wholesale power agreements, and contractual obligations by interpreting regulatory requirements, coordinating required financial and operational reporting, monitoring compliance activities, addressing identified deficiencies, and communicating with regulatory agencies, wholesale power suppliers, and auditors to maintain regulatory and contractual compliance.
• Directs utility billing, revenue collection, and related business-office operations by overseeing rate classifications, billing practices, customer accounts, payment arrangements, collection procedures, and account adjustments to ensure accurate revenue accounting, consistent application of established policies, and effective resolution of complex billing and revenue issues.
• Directs the administration and continuous improvement of departmental business systems and processes by evaluating operational performance, identifying process and system deficiencies, overseeing billing, accounting, customer-information, and related technology systems, coordinating system improvements and upgrades, and establishing performance measures to improve operational efficiency, financial accuracy, and utility service delivery.
• Develops and recommends departmental policies, administrative procedures, utility rates and fees, and service regulations by evaluating organizational needs, reviewing financial and regulatory requirements, consulting with appropriate stakeholders, and presenting recommendations, reports, and performance information to the Mayor, City Council, and the public to support informed policy and operational decisions.
• Oversees departmental capital planning, procurement, and contractual activities by evaluating long-term infrastructure and financial needs, coordinating capital priorities with the Operations Manager and technical consultants, reviewing major project funding requirements, and monitoring procurement and contract administration to support planned improvements and responsible use of departmental resources.
• Directs department personnel and organizational management through subordinate managers by establishing performance expectations, evaluating managerial effectiveness, reviewing staffing and workforce needs, participating in hiring and disciplinary decisions, and supporting employee development and organizational improvement to maintain effective departmental operations.
• Directs department-wide emergency preparedness and crisis management by establishing organizational response priorities, coordinating with the Operations Manager and external agencies, evaluating resource needs, and overseeing communications with government officials, customers, and the public to support service continuity and effective response to utility emergencies.
• Engages in professional development by reviewing industry publications, participating in professional organizations, attending training and conferences, and monitoring changes in public utility administration, financial management, and regulatory practices to maintain current knowledge and support effective departmental leadership.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work is primarily sedentary and may require sitting for extended periods while performing administrative duties, using a computer, reviewing documents, and attending meetings. Job may require occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing steps during visits to utility facilities, construction sites, and other operational locations. Job may also require walking on uneven or unstable ground during field inspections and site visits.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is primarily sedentary and may require sitting for extended periods while performing administrative duties, using a computer, reviewing documents, and attending meetings. Job may require occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing steps during visits to utility facilities, construction sites, and other operational locations. Job may also require walking on uneven or unstable ground during field inspections and site visits.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.