Sewer Operations Administrator

Job Description

General Statement of Duties

Plans, organizes, and directs the operations and activities of the Sewer Maintenance Division, responsible for the overall operation of the city’s sewage collection system, and the administration of the City’s flood control plan.

The principal function of an employee in this class is to provide administrative oversight to all sewer collection and conveyance activities. The work is performed under the general direction of the Public Works Director, but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgement and initiative. Supervision is exercised over the work of all employees within the Sewer Division, during routine operations as well as emergency flood and snow operations. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees, business and community groups, outside contractors, state and federal officials, representatives of the media and the public.

Click here to review the full job description : Class Specifications | Sewer Operations Administrator | Class Spec Details

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, construction management, public administration, business administration, or a related field; and
• Seven (7) years of experience in public works operations with a management role including emergency operations such as flood and snow events.
• Relevant graduate education may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Additional related experience in areas such as infrastructure management, utilities, transportation, or municipal services may be considered toward meeting the experience requirement.

Please note: College transcripts and any applicable certifications must be submitted with your application or separately to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department by email to humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail or hand delivery to 1200 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309 on or before the application deadline.

Required Special Qualifications

• Registration as a professional Civil Engineer in the State of Iowa preferred but not required.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer background check, physical examination, and drug screen.
• On-call status, must respond to flood and ice/snow emergencies.

Please Note: If possess an out-of-state Driver's License, you are required to submit certified driving records. These records must be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department by the application deadline. You may submit them electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org, by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1200 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309 by the application deadline date.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Plans, organizes, directs and evaluates the work of the Section Chiefs supervising the TV, Construction, Cleaning, and Pump Station crews in completing sewer maintenance, repair and construction activities.
• Develops policies and procedures designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Division operations and address sewer maintenance infrastructure needs within the City of Des Moines.
• Organizes resources within the Division, including developing equipment and materials specifications, requisitioning supplies and coordinating maintenance.
• Coordinates projects with other City Departments, outside contractors, state and federal agencies/monitoring officials, other governmental jurisdictions and/or authorities.
• Receives, investigates and resolves complaints from the public.
• Oversees emergency operations, including flood control, snow and ice removal and emergency sewer repairs.
• Oversees cost accounting within the Division and provides cost estimates on major projects planned and pending.
• Provides status reports to the Sewer Enterprise Administrator on Divisional operations and recommendations for future development.
• Participates in various aspects of personnel administration within the Division, including hiring, termination, grievance procedures and coordinating employee training.
• Performs special projects for the department as requested.
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Responds to residents’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Performs related work as required.

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Closing Date/Time: 11/16/2026 4:00 PM Central