About the Department

The City of Lake City is seeking a collaborative and experienced Utility Director to oversee the administration and operations of our electric, water, and wastewater utilities. This is a key leadership role responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective services for our community.
As Utility Director, you’ll work closely with the Public Works Director, utility supervisors, and regional partners to guide infrastructure planning, operations, and long-term sustainability efforts.
What You’ll Do

• Provide leadership and coordination across electric, water, and wastewater divisions
• Supervise utility supervisors and support team development, performance, and safety
• Oversee day-to-day operations and ensure regulatory compliance across all utility services
• Assist with annual budgeting, capital improvement planning, and long-term financial strategies
• Manage utility infrastructure projects, including planning, procurement, and implementation
• Support customer service initiatives, policy implementation, and public communications
• Collaborate with engineers, contractors, regulatory agencies, and regional partners
• Serve as acting Public Works Director when designated

• Leadership experience managing personnel, budgets, and projects (8+ years preferred)
• Experience in municipal or utility operations (electric and/or water/wastewater preferred)
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, public administration, utilities management, or related field
• Knowledge of utility systems, regulatory requirements, and capital planning
• Experience with SCADA systems, GIS tools, and asset management platforms

Position Duties

1. Provides administrative leadership and coordination across utility departments.
   1. Oversees day-to-day operations through direct supervision of utility division supervisors.
   2. Coordinates interdepartmental utility activities to ensure alignment with City goals and compliance requirements.
   3. Facilitates communication and workflow between utility departments and other Public Works divisions.
   4. Serves as acting Public Works Director during scheduled absences or as delegated.
2. Oversees personnel and supports staff development within utility operations.
   1. Provides leadership and administrative direction to supervisors in Electric, Water, and Wastewater operations. 
   2. Assists with hiring, evaluations, performance management, and training initiatives in coordination with the Public Works Director. 
   3. Ensures safety policies, procedures, and training requirements are consistently implemented across all utility divisions.
   4. Promotes a culture of accountability, professionalism, and teamwork.
3. Assists with utility budgeting, capital improvement planning, and resource management.
   1. Works with utility supervisors to prepare annual budgets and 10-year capital improvement plans.
   2. Supports the Public Works Director in developing utility rate recommendations and long-term funding strategies.
   3. Assists with procurement of utility equipment, materials, and services in accordance with City policies.
   4. Helps prioritize and develop long-range capital improvement plans for substations, AMI upgrades, underground conversion, water/sewer infrastructure, and related assets.
4. Oversees utility projects and regulatory compliance coordination.
   1. Oversees assigned utility projects and monitors adherence to budget, schedule, and technical specifications.
   2. Supports supervisors in preparing and submitting reports to regulatory agencies (e.g., Minnesota Department of Health, MPCA).
   3. Ensures compliance with environmental and safety regulations across water, wastewater, stormwater, and electric operations.
   4. Assists with grant applications, permitting, and external agency coordination.
5. Supports utility-related public engagement, policy implementation, and board communications.
   1. Assists with addressing utility service inquiries, complaints, and customer support issues.
   2. Supports implementation and enforcement of utility policies, including the City’s Electric Service Rules and Regulations.
   3. Coordinates utility-related updates and agenda materials for the Utility Board and may serve as liaison or presenter.
   4. Maintains positive relationships with consultants, contractors, suppliers, and regional utility partners.
   5. Serves as the City’s representative to SMMPA (Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency), attends member meetings, reviews technical and policy updates, and supports implementation of SMMPA programs and initiatives.
6. Performs other duties as assigned to support departmental success and leadership continuity.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, public administration, utilities management, ora related field preferred. A minimum of 8 years’ experience in a managerial position supervising personnel and managing budgets and projects. Significant experience in utility operations, including oversight of electrical and/or water/wastewater systems is preferred. Equivalent combinations of education, technical field experience, and demonstrated leadership ability will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Familiarity with municipal electric utility operations, including overhead and underground distribution systems
• Familiarity with water and wastewater treatment, collection, and distribution systems
• Strong leadership and managerial ability, emphasizing accountability, teamwork, and professionalism
• Understanding of utility budgeting, capital planning, rate structures, and regulatory compliance
• Competence with SCADA systems, GIS tools, and asset management platforms
• Proven ability to supervise supervisors and coordinate multi-division operations
• Ability to interpret system studies, project plans, engineering reports, and technical recommendations
• Strong communication skills and ability to build positive relationships with staff, contractors, regulators, and the public
• Effective organizational and problem-solving skills

Other Qualifications

Physical Demands & Working Conditions
This position is primarily office-based with occasional field visits and site inspections. Work may require lifting up to 25 pounds and includes regular use of standard office equipment. Fieldwork may include exposure to outdoor weather conditions, construction sites, and utility infrastructure. Occasional attendance at evening meetings or after-hours emergencies may be required.

Benefits

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, and Paid Time Off (PTO).

• Health Insurance: CIty pays 90% of Single coverage, 70% of Family coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA): City contributes $1,500 to Individual plan HSA's and $3,000 to Family plan HSA's
• 100% City paid long term disability
• Optional Life Insurance
• Dental and Vision programs available
• MN PERA retirement
• Optional deferred comp participation
• Paid Time Off accrual immediately
• 14 Paid Holidays

 

Supplemental Questions

01

The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a work sample or during an interview. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

02

Are you a current City of Lake City employee?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you a United States Veteran?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have any relatives working for the City of Lake City?

• Yes
• No

05

If you answered 'yes' to the previous question, please provide the name(s) of any relatives who work here, the department they work in, and their relationship to you.

06

How many years of experience do you have supervising in a leadership role?

• Less than 3 years
• 3 to 5 years
• 5 to 7 years
• 8 to 10 years
• More than 10 years

07

Which option best describes your experience supervising supervisors, foremen, team leads, or other employees who are responsible for directing staff?

• I do not have experience supervising employees in leadership roles.
• I have limited experience with supervising employees in leadership roles.
• I have directly supervised one or more employees in leadership roles.
• I have significant expereince supervising multiple employees in leadership roles across separate work groups or divisions.

08

How many years' experience do you have working in or overseeing utility, public works, engineering, infrastructure, construction, industrial, or similar technical operations?

• Less than 3 years
• 3 to 5 years
• 5 to 7 years
• 8 to 10 years
• More than 10 years

09

In which of the following operational areas do you have professional experience? Select all that apply.

• Municipal Utility Operations
• Water Distribution or Treatment Systems
• Wastewater Collection or Treatment Systems
• Stormwater Systems
• Public Works Operations
• Engineering, Infrastructure, or Construction Project Management
• Industrial, Manufacturing, or Similar Technical Operations
• None of the Above

10

How would you rate your experience preparing, administering, or overseeing operating budgets and/or capital improvement plans?

• No Experience
• Limited Experience assisting with budget or capital-planning activities
• Some experience managing portions of a budget or capital plan
• Considerable experience preparing and administering departmental budgets and capital plans
• Extensive experience developing multi-year budgets, capital plans, and long-term funding priorities

11

How would you rate your experience overseeing technical projects involving consultants, contractors, vendors, or regulatory agencies?

• No Experience
• Limited Experience
• Some experience assisting with project coordination
• Considerable experience overseeing project scope, schedule, budget, and communication
• Extensive experience managing multiple complex infrastructure or technical projects

12

How confident are you in supervising experienced staff members who may possess specialized technical expertise outside your primary professional background?

• Not Confident
• Somewhat Confident
• Confident
• Very Confident

13

How confident are you in evaluating existing work practices and implementing changes intended to improve organizational structure, accountability, communication, and operational effectiveness?

• Not Confident
• Somewhat Confident
• Confident
• Very Confident

14

How would you rate your experience addressing difficult employee performance, workplace accountability, or interpersonal issues?

• No experience
• Limited experience
• Some experience with support from management or human resources
• Considerable experience directly addressing difficult personal issues
• Extensive experience managing complex personnel issues while maintaining productive working relationships

15

How confident are you communicating technical or operational information to elected officials, appointed boards, regulatory agencies, contractors, employees, and members of the public?

• Not Confident
• Somewhat Confident
• Confident
• Very Confident

16

How would you rate your ability to resolve conflict between employees, supervisors, or work groups with competing priorities or differing perspectives?

• Limited Experience
• I am somewhat comfortable addressing routine workplace disagreements
• I am confident in facilitating constructive resolution of workplace conflict
• I am very confident addressing complex or ongoing conflicts while maintaining accountability and productive working relationships

17

How would you rate your experience working with bargaining units, understanding contracts, and contract negotiations?

• No Experience
• Limited Experience
• Some Experience
• Considerable Experience
• Extensive Experience

18

Are you willing and able to attend occasional evening meetings and provide after-hours support when needed for utility coordination or emergency response?

• Yes
• No

19

The Utility Director will provide leadership and coordination across the City’s Electric, Water, and Wastewater divisions. The City recognizes that qualified candidates may bring greater technical depth in some utility areas than others. This position will require an individual who can work effectively with experienced division leaders, evaluate existing practices, strengthen communication and accountability, and implement constructive organizational improvements.

Please describe the leadership experience, technical background, and personal strengths you would bring to this position. Include how you would approach leading multiple utility divisions, particularly in operational areas where you may have less direct experience and explain how you would build trust while implementing necessary changes.

Required Question

Agency Information

Employer

City of Lake City (MN)

Address

205 W Center St








Lake City, Minnesota, 55041

Website

https://www.ci.lake-city.mn.us/