Federal Program Manager Jobs in Cleveland, GA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $78,707.20 - $129,916.80 Annually
Location : 757 Queen City Parkway SW, Gainesville, GA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01064
Department: Department of Water Resources
Division: Finance and Administration
Opening Date: 06/30/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Summary
This position is designated as safety-sensitive. As such, a pre-employment physical examination and drug screening are mandatory. The incumbent will also be subject to random drug and alcohol testing throughout the duration of employment.
Plans, organizes, directs, and manages utility asset management efforts. Directly responsible for vertical assets and supervises maintenance, AMI, and utility analysts. Major coordination efforts with the linear assets team, especially Distribution and Collection and GIS. Supports the Director of Water Resources by supervising and managing these activities, including consultants, vendors, and contractors as well as regulatory and intergovernmental coordination.
Job Duties
Strategic Utility Leadership
Provide strategic vision for asset management initiative, engage staff in both the development and implementation of vision, and coordinate with Director of Water Resources, City Manager, and elected leadership as appropriate.
Update and promote the asset management framework (Strategic Asset Management Plan and Tactical Asset Management Plan(s)) to improve the reliability and resilience of the City's infrastructure by prioritizing business needs, managing asset inventories, and developing condition assessment strategies.
Keep informed of changes to legislation, policies, codes of proactive relating to the position, advise the Director as necessary and take action as appropriate.
Manage projects (internal and with outside consultants and contractors) and operations to ensure that objectives, outcomes, milestones, and actions are achieved on time and within budget. Engage, supervise and monitor contractors, vendors and consultants as required. Evaluates and effectively communicates project progress results, risks issues, and needs.
Manage and participate in multi-disciplinary teams to deliver effective asset management outcomes.
Proactively build and maintain effective working relationships with City of Gainesville staff and other key stakeholders from local, state, and federal governmental entities, developers, utilities, industry and the community, to facilitate a collaborate approach to the business of the Department of Water Resources and the City of Gainesville, as related to the asset management aspects of the Department.
Asset Management Responsibilities
Responsible for the cross-divisional collaborative efforts associated with proactively managing our assets. Lead Asset Management Team meetings.
Responsible for the Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) and periodic updates. Coordinates with others and audits the development and implementation of Tactical Asset Management Plans (TAMPs).
Manages multiple complex projects simultaneously.
Directs and coordinates with assigned managers in the operation and prioritization of daily activities.
Oversees the development of expense budgets, monitors expenditures to ensure proper use of funds; exercises authority to approve expenditures, requisitions, purchase orders, and invoices for assigned functions.
Assists in the development of long and short-range plans for systems improvements and expansions; works with staff to provide input to the five year capital improvement plan.
Investigates and resolves public complaints and requests for service, interpreting established policies and guidelines; consults with Director of Water Resources and makes recommendations on matters not covered by specific policies and guidelines.
Directs the administration of the Department's Asset Management and Data Management efforts.
Monitor, evaluate, and improve operational efficiencies and service delivery methods for assigned areas.
Communication and Coordination Responsibilities
Coordinates with City IT Department, Finance Department, and other City departments on asset management efforts.
As related to asset management and other assigned areas, coordinates with Georgia EPD and other State officials, Corps of Engineers, EPA, and other Federal officials.
Prepare and/or guide the preparation of complex reports, graphics, and other communications materials to a high standard.
Effectively represent the City within relevant committees and forums and deliver presentations as required.
Supervisory Duties
Directly supervise the Asset Management Specialist, and the Utility Senior Database/AMI Analyst, as well as future AM staff as assigned.
Directly supervise the Maintenance Manager (vertical assets). Directs activities associated with the operation and maintenance of 60+ wastewater pump stations. Directs activities associated with maintenance of vertical assets at two wastewater treatment plants and two water treatment plants as well as other DWR facilities. Optimizes preventative maintenance, predictive replacements, and corrective maintenance to maximize the life of equipment while minimizing life cycle costs. Implement mechanisms to monitor and improve practices.
Closely coordinates with the treatment plant operations staff and Assistant Director of Operations on asset management associated with vertical assets.
Closely coordinate with the Distribution and Collections groups, the GIS group, and others on the linear assets.
Directs and coordinates with assigned managers in the operation and prioritization of daily activities.
Identify and implement professional development training of assigned staff and others as related to AM.
Interviews, makes hiring recommendations, and evaluates performance of employees in the assigned divisions.
Select, train, motivate, and evaluate personnel within assigned divisions; provide or coordinate staff training, work with employees to correct deficiencies' make personnel recommendation to the Director of Water Resources as needed.
Other Duties
Project the image of the Department of Water Resources and City of Gainesville government as being efficient and sensitive to the needs of the community.
Work with limited supervision, be innovative, self-motivated and support the Director in the motivation of other team members.
Manages special projects and programs for the Department of Water Resources as assigned by the Water Resources Director.
Attend Council meetings, committee meetings and public meetings as required.
Performs other related duties as required.
Is subject to recall to duty in cases of emergency.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
High School diploma or G.E.D.
Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Business, Accounting or related field.
Master's degree in Engineering, Business, Finance, Accounting or Public Administration is desirable.
Ten to fifteen years water and wastewater services experience, including seven in a management capacity. Experience at similar or larger utility with developing and/or implementing an asset management program.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the minimum level of qualifications stated above.
Licenses and Certifications:
Class I Water Operator, Class I Wastewater Operator, and/or Laboratory Analyst.
Professional Engineer Certification desirable.
Valid Class C Driver's License and a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of general utility operations, as well as water and wastewater treatment, sewage collection, construction, water treatment and storage and distribution as well as laboratory and technical services.
Knowledge of asset management, levels of service, and performance metrics.
Knowledge of maintenance strategy fundamentals, estimating remaining useful life, and life-cycle costing.
Strong financial acumen with proven ability to utilize team building techniques and link project results and organizational benefits for operation effectiveness.
Knowledge of municipal budgeting procedures and multi-funded financing operation.
Knowledge of professional environmental service provider practices.
Knowledge of current federal and state regulations and trends for water resources management.
Skill in negotiating and administering contracts.
Ability to select, develop, organize, motivate and effectively utilize staff.
Ability to plan, direct and manage a number of concurrent and diverse activities of multiple staff members.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, utility companies, Federal, State, City, and County officials and the general public.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with developers, consulting engineers, contractors, suppliers, local government officials, other professionals, and the general public.
Ability to manage operations and maintenance staff to accomplish a wide array of challenges and projects as well as the ability to make decisions and recommendations with impact operational success while remaining within schedule and budget.
Supplemental Information
ADA Minimum Requirements
Physical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert medium physical effort in medium level activity which may require some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of objects and materials of heavy weight (up to 50 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation as well as work in the field at construction sites. Duties require the ability to use a personal computer, to operate a motor vehicle, and to use tools and equipment used in inspection and measurement of construction elements. Field duties may involve standing or walking for long periods of time and may be exposed to hot, cold or inclement weather, extreme temperatures and hazardous situations requiring the use of personal protection equipment.
Sensory Requirements: Tasks require the ability to communicate orally in person and by telephone. Tasks require the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using various tools and equipment. Field work may involve ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps; maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or navigating narrow or slippery surfaces.
Environmental Factors: Essential functions are performed with frequent exposure to adverse environmental conditions including weather, dust, debris, chemicals, and machinery involved in construction as well as water and wastewater treatment, pumping, and pipeline facilities.
This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.
The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity employer. The City of Gainesville prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The City of Gainesville conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
Overview
Part of the City of Gainesville's success is due to the efforts and loyalty of City employees. Gainesville offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees and retirees. In assessing our comprehensive programs, the City has taken great care to seek a fair balance between business needs and employment security. There are many options available which afford City staff with coverage to best suit individual and family needs. In many cases, deductions are available on a pre-tax basis.
City Benefits Paid at 100%

• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Clinic & Wellness Center
• GMEBS Retirement Plan (select positions)
• Life Insurance (up to $75,000)
• Paid Holidays (10)
• Paid Jury Duty Leave
• Paid Military Leave
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Protective Safety Equipment
• Short-Term Disability Insurance (After 12 months of employment)
• Tuition Reimbursement (After one year of employment)
• Uniforms (select positions)
• Workers' Compensation

Supplemental Benefits

• Accident
• Critical Illness
• Death and Dismemberment
• Deferred Compensation
• Dental
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Long-Term Disability
• Medical
• Plan A Retirement (50% City paid - select positions)
• Vision
• Voluntary Life Insurance

Other Benefits

• Biweekly Paycheck
• Credit Union
• Direct Deposit
• Discount PC Purchase Plan
• Employee Recognition Events
• Employee Wellness Opportunities
• Free Flu Shot
• Free Parking
• Health and Benefits Fair