The Director of Electric Utilities serves as a key staff person, working directly with an Assistant City Manager and is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the day to day management and operations of the Electric Department.

The City of Manassas Electric Department
The City of Manassas Electric Department, previously operating as a division within the Public Utilities department, is dedicated to the responsible management of the overhead and underground electric distribution and street light systems. The Department’s primary objective is to engineer, construct, operate, maintain, and monitor these systems in an efficient manner, ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable, and cost-effective services to the citizens of Manassas. The City of Manassas owns and maintains the electric distribution system within the city limits, which consists of 205 miles of primary lines, 15,150 electric meters, six electric substations, and 31 diesel generators that are used to reduce electric costs for our residents. The annual peak electric load is 140 megawatts(MW).

Departmental/Commission Relations
The Utility Commission is comprised of a seven-member board that serves to provide advice and recommendations to City Council and staff regarding efficient operations of the water, sanitary sewer and electric utility systems. The Commission makes recommendations on future capital improvements and master plans for the use and development of the utility systems. The Commission was originally formed in 1993 and has a set of governing by-laws that cover the operation of the body. The members are appointed by the City Council and serve staggered four-year terms.

Skills and Past Performance

Administrative Ability
Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Ability to communicate complex issues to a variety of audiences in a clear, comprehensive and effective manner. Must be highly organized, have excellent follow-through without being prompted, and use collaborative approaches with staff to reach conclusions. Must have the ability to shift gears between projects by rapidly multitasking, and have extensive experience making analytical and reasoned judgments on issues of public sensibility. Must be proficient with personal computers and have the ability to coordinate technology applications pertinent to the Department’s operations and management systems.

Departmental/Commission Relations
The position requires successful candidates to be adept at working in a complex and fast paced environment while possessing proven leadership skills with demonstrated abilities to build a strong and focused team of individuals. Competitive candidates shall have demonstrated the ability to provide strong and effective leadership and vision to staff, and will also establish clear objectives for the department that are tied to the City’s strategic goals. The candidate is expected to be a problem solver who is focused on positive outcomes, holding staff accountable for achieving positive results.

Management
Must have a demonstrated record or knowledge of planning, developing, organizing, implementing and coordinating budgets and financial activities of a municipal electric department. Competitive candidates shall have demonstrated the ability to interact effectively with citizens, the City Manager, other City department directors and elected officials. Candidates must possess strategic thinking skills and be able to make difficult recommendations on operational, financial and budgetary matters when necessary.

Governmental / Intergovernmental Relations

Our candidate will possess the ability to take time and interest in working with the Assistant City Manager and City Manager to keep them informed and to explain technical and sensitive concepts related to City issues. Must be able to work with elected officials on complex issues in a setting where different objectives and/or adversarial viewpoints may exist. Must have the ability to accept constructive criticism and to implement needed changes where identified. Candidate must be open and honest with the Assistant City Manager and able to use discretion in handling confidential information. Must stay current on trends and issues pertaining to the City. Must relate to and develop a good working relationship with other local, state, regional and federal agencies to advocate on behalf of the City.

Professional Skills and Management Style:

• Clearly understands and tactfully explains the role of the Electric Department in complex issues
• Well-versed in use of technology and its current and future importance to the City and its operations
• Critical thinker who provides no surprises to the City Council, City Manager and City staff
• A “hands on” leader; willing to communicate and develop a strong sense of coordination and cooperation with employees and other departments
• Develops and maintains good public relations with the City Council, City Manager, City staff, the City’s elected and appointed officials, as well as our regional partners
• Embraces ideas from outside sources; ability to communicate with various customers, groups and agencies openly
• Highly motivated to provide excellent internal and external customer service
• Good analytical skills; creative; an idea person
• Self-starter, hard working
• Cognizant of role as a public servant and service oriented
• Ability to manage with confidence; courage to do what is right even in the face of adversity
• Accessible to City Manager, Assistant City Manager and City departments as needed
• Is able to plan, direct, and coordinate the work of a highly competent staff

Compensation & Benefits:
The salary range for the position is negotiable based on qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits package includes participation in the Virginia Retirement System, group life insurance, long term disability insurance, health/dental/vision insurance, professional dues and conference expenses, annual leave, sick leave, as well as additional discretionary leave hours replenished each fiscal year. Candidate must maintain residency within an acceptable distance as determined by the City Manager to ensure appropriate response time during emergencies. Relocation allowance is negotiable.

Manassas Core Values
The City of Manassas’ core values guide our organization’s actions and decisions. We strive to live the following core values everyday in our work and interactions with others:

Customer Service: Our primary duty is to be accessible and responsible to the community that we serve. To that end we must maintain an organizational reputation for consistency, openness, transparency, understanding, and active engagement with the stakeholders that we serve.
Teamwork: It takes teamwork to create success. We work as a team that encourages trust, cooperation and a commitment to communications within the organization. We use our professional judgment to meet customer needs and exceed customer expectations through behaviors consistent with our values.
Respect: We honor diversity and individual rights in every interaction we have with another person. We look for balance between self, family, community and work.
Honesty: We must demonstrate the highest standards of being true to what we say and do and standing up for our beliefs so that our public activities inspire confidence and trust in our government.
Integrity: The courage to be true to yourself and your position. We value integrity in ourselves and others as we work every day with staff, residents and visitors.
Stewardship: We must be diligent to maintain an atmosphere where public resources are always used for the public good. Our organization constantly strives to provide the greatest possible efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of public services.

Application & Selection Process
Resumes received by September 15, 2023 will receive priority consideration. To be considered, please submit a cover letter, résumé with salary history and five (5) professional references online by visiting the City of Manassas website at www.manassascity.org/jobs

Following the filing date, résumés will be screened by the City of Manassas based on pre-established criteria. This hiring process will include interviews and reference checks for those candidates who are determined to be best suited for the position. For questions, please contact Darla Hicks, Human Resources Director, dhicks@manassasva.gov

The City of Manassas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field is preferred. Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering; supplemented by seven (7) years’ progressively responsible experience in public utility planning, operations and/or service; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Must possess state certification as a Virginia Registered Professional Engineer. Must possess and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license. Must hold all required licenses and certifications.

About City of Manassas

The City of Manassas, Virginia is a local government operating under the Council-Manager form of government, and is located 30 miles southwest of the nation’s capital. Manassas’ location in the Washington DC metropolitan area, its ease of access by car and public transportation, and its highly skilled labor force have attracted an increasingly varied residential and commercial mix. Our benefits package is very diverse. For applicable positions, we offer annual/sick leave, health insurance through Anthem BCBS/TLC, VRS, Deferred Compensation (457/401A) plans, Paid Holidays, Tuition Reimbursement and more!

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