Director Collection System Wastewater

Join the City of Chattanooga Team

Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation’s first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network.​  The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City,” the first of its kind in the United States.  

Our Organization

As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately ​2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

• Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
• Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
• Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
• Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
• Innovation: Leading-edge  smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.

Why Choose Chattanooga?

The City of Chattanooga’s workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees. .
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
• ​The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground:  Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it.  As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim.  Whether you are an 
• adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
• ​Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
• Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
• Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.

Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you’d like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we’d love to talk to you.

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Salary: WWFG.15E $95, 664 - $114,797 per year

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments or projects.*

Work Location: 455 Moccasin Bend Rd (Wastewater Treatment Plant)

FLSA Status: This is an EXEMPT position.

Department: Wastewater - Sewer Maintenance 

SERIES LEVEL:  

 This is a stand-alone position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

• Directs staff, to include prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained appropriately; ensuring employees follow policies and procedures as required by the City Employee Instruction Guide, maintaining a healthy and safe working environment and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations. 
• Leads  the day-to-day activities of applicable division work groups which includes planning, coordinating, administrating and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems and standards. 
• Oversight of department's personnel activities, including staffing, hiring process, employee actions, employee evaluations, discipline, salary administration and employee relations in conjunction with the City's Human Resource Department.
• Communicates and collaborates with internal departments, external consultants, vendors, external agencies, regulatory officials and/or other interested parties to coordinate work activities, exchange information and resolve problems. 
• Facilitates collaborative and innovative problem-solving and decision-making process to address operational circumstances or operational issues. Serve on the Wastewater Leadership Team to ensure the execution of division mission and strategic plans and may act on behalf of the Deputy Administrator as requested.
• Represents the City and/or the Regional Wastewater System at a variety of internal and/or external meetings, public events, training sessions, on committees, and/or other related events or groups in order to receive and/or convey information to receive and convey information pertaining to City policy, projects or programs.  This includes managing the division’s items on the City Council agenda and working with City and departmental staff on external communications with citizens and the news media
• May prepare, review, interpret and analyze a variety of information, data and reports; makes recommendations based on findings; communicates pertinent information to internal and external parties.
• May prepare resolutions and ordinances, requests for proposal, MOUs, and other documentation 
• Directs and manages subordinate wastewater utility staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and, making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations. Approves leave requests.
• Performs departmental leadership duties, including developing policies, operating procedures, rules, regulations, and work methods, and makes recommendations for their improvement. Formulates long- and short-range goals and objectives for better operating efficiency. Evaluates staff procedures on a continuous basis; recommends and implements improvements where necessary. Interprets rules, policies, and procedures for staff members.
• May drive and support continuous improvement activities related to safety, quality, and cost
• May represent the City of Chattanooga’s interests towards suppliers and contractors. 
• May compile and provide reports related to area of responsibility
• May cooperate and collaborate with groups and individuals across all departments and divisions, operations, engineering, and other service units with focus on achieving optimal results/solutions
• May perform all tasks and assignments in accordance with The City of Chattanooga’s policies and procedures
• May ensure all required training is completed in a timely manner made by all team members in his/her area of responsibility.
• Must meet regular attendance requirements.
• Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.
• Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• This position is deemed essential during inclement weather situations, and must report to or remain at work, even when administrative closings are announced, as determined by the Department Head.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):

• When serving as Director Collection System:
• Directs and leads the strategic planning and operations of the City's wastewater collection system infrastructure, including over 1,400 miles of sewer lines, manholes, and related infrastructure. Provides executive oversight for all collection system maintenance, infiltration and inflow (I&I) reduction programs, and sewer construction initiatives to ensure system reliability and regulatory compliance.
• Develops and implements comprehensive collection system management strategies, including long-range capital improvement planning, asset management programs, and system performance optimization initiatives. Establishes division-wide policies, procedures, and performance standards for collection system operations.
• Serves as the City's senior technical authority on collection system matters, representing the utility in negotiations with regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders. Provides expert testimony and recommendations to City Council, regulatory bodies, and community groups regarding collection system infrastructure and investments.
• Directs the development and administration of the collection system operating and capital budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and strategic allocation of resources. Oversees multi-million dollar rehabilitation and replacement programs, including trenchless technology initiatives and innovative system improvements.
• Leads the implementation of the City's smart sewer program and other innovative technologies for collection system monitoring, predictive maintenance, and system optimization. Champions the adoption of industry best practices and emerging technologies to improve system performance and operational efficiency.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations governing wastewater collection systems, including EPA and TDEC requirements. Oversees the development and implementation of the Capacity, Management, Operations, and Maintenance (CMOM) program and related Consent Decree obligations.
• Collaborates with the Director of Engineering and other division directors to coordinate collection system improvements with treatment plant operations, ensuring integrated system performance. Participates in regional planning initiatives and inter-jurisdictional agreements affecting collection system operations.
• Directs emergency response protocols for collection system failures, overflows, and natural disasters. Ensures 24/7 operational readiness and coordinates with other City departments and external agencies during emergency events.
• Develops and maintains relationships with professional organizations, regulatory agencies, and industry groups to stay current with collection system management trends, regulations, and best practices. Represents the City at state and national conferences and professional forums.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Public Administration, or a related field preferred
• And a Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible management experience in wastewater collection systems, including five (5) years in a senior management role

       Or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:

A valid Driver's License.
Tennessee Grade II Collection System Certification required,  or must be able to attain in 18 months Grade IV preferred.
Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required.
 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Knowledge of managerial and leadership principles and practices; public administration principles and practices; property management principles and practices; public relations principles; budgeting principles; contract development, administration and management principles; strategic planning principles; sustainability principles; environmental and natural resources management; conservation; human consumption management; research methods; financial management principles; program development and administration principles and practices; procurement principles and practices; project management principles and practices; construction principles and practices; negotiation principles; mathematical concepts; customer service principles and practices; applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies and/or procedures; policy and procedure development practices.

Skill in monitoring and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; prioritizing and assigning work; setting and monitoring performance standards; analyzing issues and problems related to operations, services, and management information to direct the development of project plans, develop complex programs, present and obtain consensus on recommendations, processes, goals, and solutions; directing the completion of projects; performing mathematical calculations; in using spreadsheet, word processing and database software to review, analyze, and compile data and reports; implementing public relations; preparing and analyzing reports; reading, comprehending, and reviewing financial information; making program decisions based on financial considerations; adapting to rapidly changing administrative and operational requirements; interpreting and applying applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and making recommendations in support of organizational goals; conducting negotiations; handling multiple tasks simultaneously; directing the development and management of; collaborating with external agencies; and, communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinate employees, coworkers, supervisor, community groups, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction. responding to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies and business community; presentations to administrators, public and boards;

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Positions in this class typically require reaching, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Safety Sensitive: N
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check / HepB Titer.

The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

KJS 09.02.2026