Assistant Director of Public Works - Utilities

Assistant Director of Public Works - Utilities

City of Celina, TX

Please follow this link to view the full brochure: https://www.affionpublic.com/position/assistant-director-of-public-works-utilities-celina-tx/

About Celina, TX

Welcome to the City of Celina - a community defined by connection, character, and shared purpose. Located along the northern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth region’s “Golden Corridor,” Celina offers a rare combination of hometown warmth and metropolitan accessibility, providing residents and visitors alike with a strong sense of place and opportunity.

With convenient access to major regional corridors, such as the North Dallas Tollway and Sam Rayburn Tollway, Celina remains closely connected to the broader region while preserving its unique local identity. As one of the largest cities geographically in North Texas, the City has the exceptional opportunity to guide growth thoughtfully, ensuring that new development enhances neighborhoods, strengthens relationships, and reflects the values that make Celina a welcoming, vibrant community.

At the heart of Celina is the historic Downtown Square, a hub of civic pride and community life. Locally-owned shops, restaurants, and businesses create an inviting environment where residents gather, connect, and support one another. Downtown serves as the stage for more than 30 annual events that celebrate Celina’s culture and traditions, including Celina Cajun Fest, Friday Night Market, Beware! of the Square, and Christmas on the Square. These signature gatherings foster connection, engagement, and shared experiences, reinforcing the strong bonds that unite the community.

Celina’s growth is a testament to the City’s appeal and the value residents place on community. With a population exceeding 60,000 and long-term projections approaching 380,000 at full build-out, Celina has expanded rapidly while maintaining a focus on belonging, family, and quality of life. Recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, Celina continues to attract new residents who are drawn not only by opportunity, but also by the City’s commitment to engagement, connection, and shared purpose.

At the core of this vibrant community is the City’s workforce. Employees are more than public servants - they are partners and stewards of Celina’s growth, working alongside residents to shape the City’s future. Guided by principles of collaboration, inclusivity, and service-driven leadership, the City invests in its employees, providing the tools, resources, and support needed to thrive. A career with the City of Celina provides the chance to make a tangible difference, contributing to a community where residents feel valued, connected, and proud to call home.

City Government

Celina is operated by a Council-Manager form of government, with six council members and a mayor, each of whom is elected, at-large, to three-year terms. The council appoints a City Manager to act as the Chief Administrative Officer of the city.

City Values

At the City of Celina, our Core Values guide everything we do. We are committed to Excellence, striving for the highest standards in every project and service we deliver. We foster a strong sense of Community, building meaningful connections and collaboration both within our organization and with the residents we serve. We act with Integrity, ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making in all interactions. And we prioritize Service, placing the needs of our community at the heart of every action.

These values are more than words - they are the foundation of our culture, shaping how we operate, make decisions, and work together as a team. At the City of Celina, we hold ourselves and our employees to these standards, ensuring that every contribution supports our mission to serve and strengthen the community.

The Position

The City of Celina is seeking an experienced and dynamic Assistant Director of Public Works - Utilities to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Utilities Division. This key leadership role supports the Director of Public Works in planning, directing, and optimizing daily operations across water distribution, wastewater collection, and related utility programs. The Assistant Director plays a pivotal role in advancing the City’s utility infrastructure, ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and alignment with long-term strategic goals.

In this role, the Assistant Director will lead, mentor, and develop a skilled, service-oriented team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Responsibilities include overseeing capital improvement projects, coordinating with internal departments, contractors, and regional partners, and responding to escalated service inquiries. The position also provides technical expertise, prepares and delivers reports to City leadership and community stakeholders, and ensures adherence to all federal, state, and regional utility regulations.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Department Leadership & Administration

• Supports the Public Works Director in planning and directing the daily and long-term activities of the Utilities Division.
• Assists in the development and implementation of departmental goals, performance standards, operational procedures, and strategic plans.
• Recommends and implements organizational improvements, system upgrades, and infrastructure priorities.
• Participates in annual budget preparation; monitors division expenditures and ensures fiscal accountability.
• Upholds and models the City of Celina’s Core Values in all interactions and decisions.

Utilities Operations Management

• Provides operational leadership for water distribution, wastewater collection, and related utility programs.
• Coordinates activities between the Utilities Division and other Public Works divisions, City departments, contractors, and regional partners.
• Oversees capital improvement and contracted utility construction projects; ensures compliance with design specifications, schedules, and budgets.
• Conducts field inspections of utility maintenance, repair, rehabilitation, and construction activities.
• Responds to escalated customer service inquiries and service delivery issues.
• Prepares and delivers reports, presentations, and technical information to City Council, boards, commissions, and citizen groups.

Staff Leadership & Workforce Development

• Supervises, mentors, and evaluates assigned staff, promoting a culture of teamwork, accountability, and professional development.
• Establishes clear expectations and performance goals; provides coaching and corrective action as required.
• Builds and maintains a skilled, service-oriented workforce capable of supporting the City’s utility needs.

Regulatory Compliance & Emergency Response

• Ensures compliance with TCEQ, EPA, and other applicable federal, state, and regional regulations.
• Assists with planning and execution of emergency response efforts, including after-hours incidents, service disruptions, or severe weather events.
• Serves as a departmental representative during interagency meetings and regulatory inspections.

Education and Experience

A Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field, as well as eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in water/wastewater operations, construction, and maintenance, including at least four (4) years in a supervisory or management role is required.    A TCEQ Class B Water and Wastewater License is required or ability to obtain within 6 months.  An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.  Experience in a fast-growing municipality within the North Texas region, a background in capital improvement program (CIP) management, and advanced knowledge of water/wastewater regulatory compliance, asset management, and utility infrastructure planning is highly preferred.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will bring a combination of technical expertise, leadership experience, and a commitment to public service. This individual is equally comfortable reviewing capital plans, walking job sites, mentoring staff, and explaining complex utility issues to elected officials or residents—without resorting to jargon or excuses.

The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated experience in municipal water and wastewater operations, understand the realities of working in a fast-growing community, and can balance regulatory compliance, infrastructure investment, and customer service demands with confidence and calm. This leader values accountability, communicates clearly, and takes pride in building trust—internally with staff and externally with stakeholders.

The successful candidate will have a proven ability to manage people, projects, and budgets; navigate regulatory requirements; and help guide utility systems through growth, modernization, and change. Just as important, they lead with integrity, professionalism, and a service-oriented mindset, recognizing that reliable utilities are fundamental to quality of life and economic development.

Salary

The City of Celina is offering a competitive salary range of $112000 -$165,000 commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Relocation assistance will also be available for the successful out-of-area candidate.

How to Apply

Applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:

resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: CELINAADPW

Affion Public

PO Box 794

Hershey, PA 17033

717.214.4922

www.affionpublic.com

*The deadline to receive resumes is February 12, 2026*

The City of Celina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

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