Chief of Operations Full Time

The hiring salary range for this position is $102,608.39 – $134,417.00 annually, commensurate with experience.

Open until filled with a best consideration date of November 6, 2025.

Charles County Government is seeking a dynamic Chief of Operations to perform administrative and managerial duties to support the Operations function of the County’s Department of Public Works, Utilities Division. This work involves responsibility for planning, organizing, budgeting, and managing the various programs and activities of the division, directing a diversified staff tasked with managing the operation and maintenance of the County’s water and wastewater systems, and is performed with considerable independence under the general direction of the Deputy Director of Public Works – Utilities.

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, organizes, and directs the programs and activities of the Department of Public Works – Utilities Division’s Operations functions to ensure economical and efficient treatment, processing, disposal, and/or delivery of water and wastewater treatment.
• Reviews plant and laboratory reports, and directs the adjustment of processing methods to improve treatment efficiency; analyzes water and wastewater facilities and costs associated with them and makes plans and takes action for reducing costs through Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and operating/maintenance work; recommends changes to improve the operation of the Department’s facilities to improve the effluent from the wastewater facilities and maximize the quality of water to our customers.
• Plans and schedules implementation or replacement of critical processes or equipment providing for all contingencies to preclude violations of regulations or permits related to water and wastewater facilities through ongoing development of long-range operational plans.
• Makes recommendations on major policy and operational issues.
• Interacts with and maintains effective working relationships with various federal, state, County officials, associates, consultants, contractors, the public, and a number of the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) sections such as MDE’s Air and Radiation Management Administration (ARMA), SDWA Implementation Division, Water Quality Financing Administration, Municipal NPDES Permits Division, Industrial Permits Division, Laboratory Certification Office, and WMA-Compliance Program.
• Implements public awareness and customer relations efforts, attends town meetings, gives presentations to local groups, and develops and distributes written correspondence and other collateral on pertinent issues.
• Deals with business process re-engineering (BPR), including workflow analysis, staffing and infrastructure, operational and maintenance processes, and integration of technology.
• Organizes and administers the Division’s training program.
• Monitors the Division’s Safety Program to ensure a safe working environment for the Public Works – Utilities operations and maintenance staff.
• Supervises employees engaged in the environmental operations of the department’s water and wastewater functions.
• Makes decisions on issues concerning areas of responsibility, based on general direction and guidance from, and in the absence of the DPW Director and Deputy Director.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management or a related field. Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in the operation of water and wastewater systems, five of which should include supervisory and/or management experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Licenses or Certifications:
Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Class 5A Wastewater Certification, with eligibility to obtain Superintendent Certification within twelve months.
Class 2 Water Certification, with eligibility to obtain Superintendent Certification within twelve months.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:
Subject to work beyond normal scheduled hours.
The position is required to receive climate competency training level 2.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of water and wastewater operation as applied to the requirements of the County.
• Knowledge of effective methods of managing large scale water and wastewater operations.
• Knowledge of administrative processes including budgeting, facilities management, purchasing and personnel.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements applicable to the operation of water and wastewater treatment facilities.
• Knowledge of effective techniques of supervision.
• Knowledge of County computer systems, programs, and procedures.
• Ability to administer and manage large scale water and wastewater operations.
• Ability to monitor operations and take appropriate actions to ensure that operations meet requirements.
• Ability to train and supervise others in the work.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others encountered in the work.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to provide timely and effective program oversight and direction.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is mostly sedentary with periods of light physical activity. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 30 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office and plant surroundings environment. This is a sewage and water treatment plant and employee are subject to hazards of that environment.

Department/Division: Public Works/Utilities
Pay Grade: 120
FLSA Status: Exempt
Telework Eligible: Yes
Reports To: Deputy Director
Supervises: Environmental Operations Superintendent(s), Assistant to the Chief

Charles County Government – BENEFITS SUMMARY

Health Insurance
Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.

Flexible Spending Account
Provides medical and dependent care options.

Supplemental Income Products
Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.

Long Term Disability Insurance
No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month. Retiree Health Insurance New hires who elect health insurance coverage with County Government are enrolled in a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Account (VEBA). This coverage allows employees to pay health insurance premiums and other medical expenses following retirement or separation from employment.

Life Insurance
No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.

Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan — Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.

Deferred Compensation Plan
457(b) Governmental Plan — Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.

Employee Leave

• Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
• The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.

Transfer of Sick Leave
New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.

Work Schedules

• Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.

Additional Fringe Benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
• Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
• House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
• Free, Employee Wellness Programs
• Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
• Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)

Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2025

C1OO