Job Posting - Executive Director

Executive Director

Organization: Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA)
Salary: The position offers a highly competitive salary and excellent benefits
Close Date: The position will remain open until filled and will move forward immediately upon receipt of a sufficient pool of well-qualified applicants. For best results, please email your resume and cover letter with current salary by February 18, 2020

Job Description:

Greater Chapel Hill is situated in the center of North Carolina, equidistant to the mountains and the beach, and nestled in the rolling, wooded Piedmont. The region includes the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Carrboro, southern Orange County, northern Chatham County, and southwest Durham County. With small town charm and big city cultural and athletic events, the Greater Chapel Hill region features one of the best public school systems in the country, world class health care facilities, and access to one of the best work forces in America. Chapel Hill is the 2nd most educated city in the nation according to the US Census Bureau. The region is home to several top tier universities including UNC-Chapel Hill, NCCU, Duke, and NC State.

The Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) is a nationally acclaimed public, non profit authority that provides water, sewer (wastewater) and reclaimed water services to the Carrboro Chapel Hill community including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in southern Orange County, North Carolina. OWASA currently provides services to about 83,000 people. In FY 2020, OWASA's Operating Revenue was $38.6 million; its Operating Expenses were $23.6 million and Capital Improvements amounted to $26.4 million. The Authority has 142 authorized positions. Its bond rating is AAA.

OWASA’s services are funded with fees and charges for the services. Almost all of OWASA’s revenue comes from monthly bills for water and sewer service. The Authority does not receive property taxes, sales taxes, etc.

OWASA is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors. The Chapel Hill Town Council appoints five members; the Carrboro Town Council appoints two members and the Orange County Board of Commissioners appoints two Board Members. The Board adopts the annual budget; sets rates, fees and charges based on cost of service principles; approves bond issues to fund capital projects; makes policy decisions; and appoints the Executive Director, General Counsel and independent auditor.

The Executive Director is directly responsible to and serves at the pleasure of the Board. He or she serves as the organization's Chief Administrative Officer and is responsible to provide leadership and executive management to the Authority in accordance with policies, plans and budgets adopted by the OWASA Board; North Carolina law; Federal and State regulations; OWASA's (Revenue) Bond Order; and other agreements including those with the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He or she oversees administrative hiring and other human resource decisions.

The Executive Director works closely with the Board of Directors to establish OWASA’s strategic direction and implements the adopted strategic plan. He or she oversees the planning, construction, operations, maintenance, evaluation and financing of services and projects consistent with OWASA's Vision, Mission and Values. The Executive Director prepares the annual operating and capital budgets and the 5-year Capital Improvement Program and administers their implementation after adoption.

Ed Kerwin, OWASA's long-term (and only second Executive Director) has announced his retirement. The Board is unanimous in its desire to seek a new leader who will carry on OWASA's tradition of management excellence as he or she applies his or her own brand of superior leadership in support for the OWASA Boards now and into the future. For more information about OWASA, visit www.owasa.org.

Requires ten years or more of progressively responsible experience successfully leading a water and/or wastewater utility or similar organizations. Prior experience in a governmental utility is desired. Bachelor’s degree in related field is required; Master’s degree desired. Preferred candidates will have a proven history of successfully leading a diverse team in the efficient, sustainable and effective operation of water and/or wastewater utility operation. Well-qualified candidates will have exceptional communication skills and the proven ability to build relationships with diverse people and stakeholders internally and outside the organization including intergovernmental relationships. The selected candidate will be a visionary and a strategic systems thinker who understands the water utility business and public administration. He or she will have the utmost integrity and honesty and a genuine passion for his/her work.

Compensation: The beginning pay for the Executive Director will be highly competitive and will include an excellent benefit package. The Board of Directors is prepared to pay reasonable and customary moving expenses.

Application and Selection Process: The position will remain open until filled and will move forward immediately upon receipt of a sufficient pool of well-qualified applicants. For best results, please email your resume and cover letter with current salary by February 18, 2020 to: slavin@bellsouth.net. A comprehensive recruitment profile for this position is available at www.slavinweb.com. For more information please contact Robert E. Slavin, President, or Barbara Lipscomb, Florida and Southwest Manager at Slavin Management Consultants by phone at (770) 449-4656 or by email at slavin@bellsouth.net.

OWASA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT, SUSTAINABILITY, CREATIVITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

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