Commission Manager

Position Details:

Employer: Aspen Regional Water Services Commission

Location: Athabasca, AB

Industry: Municipal Government & Utilities

Position Outline:

• Athabasca County
• Town of Athabasca
• Village of Boyle

The ARWSC owns and operates a raw water pumping system, a class III regional water treatment plant, and approximately 145 km of regional distribution system.  The ARWSC delivers roughly 600,000m3 of bulk potable water each year, serving a trading area of nearly 13,000 permanent residences.  The seasonal regional population is estimated at around 20,000 individuals.

Recognizing the operational and administrative management requirements of the ARWSC, and the limited resources available, the Board of Directors has established the position of Commission Manger as a “dual role position”, including both CAO and Operations Manager duties. 

With an annual operational budget of approximately $2.5M (within a full cost recovery model), and approximately $75M worth of constructed capital infrastructure, the Commission Manager functions as the principal advisor to the ARWSC Board of Directors, while leading a staff of three Operations Technicians, and the Administrative Services Coordinator.

The duties and responsibilities that the Commission Manager oversees include:

• CAO related duties as per the ARWSC Administration By-Law 1-2021.
• Supervising and participating as required in the day-to-day operations.
• Developing operational and technical reports and reviews for the Board.
• By-law and policy development.
• Preparing and managing grant applications.
• Leading human resource management, and the development of staff.
• Acting as the FOIP coordinator, and as the point person regarding all legal matters.
• Serving as the primary contact for command and control, during emergency operations including but not limited to:
  • regional fire concerns, flooding, water quality failures (chemical or microbiological), long term power failures, water transmission line failures, certified operator unavailability (pandemic), and significant equipment break downs.
• Risk and Consequence Management Coordinator - Drinking Water Safety Plan lead.
• Serving as the primary contact with external relationships including but not limited to:
  • Provincial and federal regulatory agencies, vendors, contractors, consulting engineers, non-government agencies, the media, the general public, and other municipalities.
• Negotiating Alberta Environment operating approvals and water license agreements.
• Acting as the ARWSC Project Manager.
• Acting as the primary driver of business development including public awareness campaigns, ongoing infrastructure development, and operational services growth (distribution and collection regionalization).
• Organizational development including both strategic and operational planning.  Ability to see the “big picture”.
• Other related activities required to advance the Commission’s business model.

The Commission Manager will possess the following to be successful:

• Proven leadership capabilities including the ability to maintain and promote a cooperative and constructive work environment.
• Excellent political and public relations skills.  Consistent and compassionate.  
• Thorough practical knowledge and experience specifically in Finance, Human Resources and Communications.
• In-depth working knowledge and understanding of municipal water and wastewater processes, as well as plant operational principles, practices and procedures in Alberta.
• Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas on technical subjects, both verbally and in writing.
• High skill level regarding new technologies including computer competency - both operationally and administratively.
• Ability to apply analytical skills and sound judgement, in order to develop practical solutions to an assortment of possible issues.
• Awareness of applicable federal and provincial legislation, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to:
  • Alberta Municipal Government Act (MGA).
  • Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act.
  • Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
  • Alberta Water Act.
  • Canadian Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality.
  • Fisheries Act.
• Physical ability to use Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) in confined spaces, maneuver equipment of varying weights, work with heights, and work with highly corrosive chemicals and/or wastewater. 
• Walk long distances for extended periods across rural landscapes under all weather conditions.
• Operate equipment such as forklifts and four-wheel drive trucks under all weather conditions, and off-road environments.
• Knowledge of the Athabasca Region geographical and demographical parameters.

The successful candidate will possess the following, or an acceptable combination focused on senior administrative and operational leadership:

• Successful completion of a Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Engineering, Chemical, Biological, or Environmental Sciences.
• Possession of an unrestricted Alberta Environmental Protection Level III Certification in Water Treatment, Level II or higher Water Distribution, Level II Wastewater Collection, and Level II Wastewater Treatment.
• Completion or enrolment in the Certified Local Government Management Program and/or a Government Studies Program would be an asset.
• Occupational Health and Safety Certification.
• Minimum 5 years working within a municipal utilities system.
• Valid Alberta Class 5 Drivers’ License.

A competitive compensation package will be provided to the successful candidate.  This includes an attractive and competitive base salary (ranging from $138 to $171K per year), a comprehensive benefits package, as well as enrollment in LAPP (Local Authorities Pension Plan).  Further details will be discussed in future conversations.

James Davies                        

Managing Director

DCG Executive Search Services Ltd.

Phone: (780) 758-9796

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: www.daviescg.com