Special Project Consultant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Work Objective Performs highly advanced professional, administrative, and technical work involving regulatory compliance, strategic initiatives, and the planning and execution of critical capital improvement projects across the City's water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) systems. Work is performed under the general direction of the General Manager - Water and Sewer, with extensive latitude for the exercise of independent judgment, initiative, and technical expertise. The position serves as the department's principal technical resource for regulatory compliance, organizational leadership, special projects, consultant coordination, grant administration, and long-range utility planning.

Responsibilities include ensuring compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal environmental regulations; supporting the planning and implementation of major capital improvement projects; developing policies and standard operating procedures; strengthening organizational capability through staff mentoring and succession planning; and advancing strategic initiatives that improve the long-term reliability, sustainability, resilience, and operational excellence of the City's utility systems. Examples of Essential Functions The list of essential functions outlined herein is intended to be representative of the duties performed within this classification. It is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning other related duties that are consistent with the nature and level of the position.

Provides strategic and technical leadership in support of the General Manager - Water and Sewer for the planning, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the City's water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) systems. Serves as the department's principal technical advisor on complex utility, engineering, environmental, regulatory, and organizational matters. Plans, develops, implements, and oversees regulatory compliance programs to ensure compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal environmental regulations, permits, and reporting requirements.

Manages and coordinates special projects, strategic initiatives, and departmental priorities as assigned by the General Manager - Water and Sewer. Assists in the planning, design, procurement, and implementation of major capital improvement projects, including coordination with consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and City departments. Reviews engineering studies, technical reports, plans, specifications, operational data, and consultant recommendations; evaluates alternatives and provides technical recommendations to executive management.

Coordinates utility regulatory inspections, audits, permit renewals, compliance reporting, and corrective action activities. Develops and maintains productive working relationships with regulatory agencies, professional organizations, consultants, contractors, and governmental entities to advance departmental initiatives and ensure regulatory compliance. Researches, identifies, prepares, and administers federal, state, and local grant opportunities and funding programs supporting utility infrastructure and regulatory initiatives.

Develops, updates, and implements departmental policies, procedures, standards, and standard operating procedures to improve operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and organizational consistency. Leads or participates in long-range planning efforts, asset management initiatives, utility master planning, resiliency planning, and other strategic organizational initiatives. Evaluates emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and industry best practices; recommends implementation strategies that improve operational performance, regulatory compliance, cost effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.

Assists with preparation and administration of the departmental operating and capital budgets, including development of cost estimates, budget justifications, and financial analyses. Coordinates and manages consultant contracts, professional service agreements, project schedules, deliverables, and performance. Represents the Utility Department before regulatory agencies, professional organizations, consultants, contractors, City leadership, advisory boards, and the City Council as assigned.

Provides technical leadership, mentoring, professional development, and organizational guidance to departmental staff to strengthen organizational capability and support workforce succession planning. Responds to emergencies, operational incidents, and regulatory events requiring technical expertise and management support. Prepares and presents technical reports, agenda items, presentations, correspondence, and recommendations for executive management, advisory boards, and the City Council.

Performs other related duties and special assignments as directed by the General Manager - Water and Sewer. Supervision Works under the general direction of the General Manager - Water and Sewer, exercising considerable independent judgment, initiative, and technical expertise in carrying out assigned responsibilities. Provides technical leadership, guidance, mentoring, and project coordination to departmental staff and cross-functional teams involved in regulatory compliance, capital improvement projects, and strategic initiatives.

Coordinates the work of consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and interdisciplinary project teams to ensure projects are completed in accordance with applicable regulations, schedules, budgets, and City objectives. Reviews technical studies, engineering reports, regulatory documents, and consultant deliverables; evaluates recommendations and provides technical guidance to the General Manager - Water and Sewer. Assists the General Manager - Water and Sewer with strategic planning, organizational development, workforce succession planning, and implementation of departmental initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications High school Diploma or GED required. A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in the operation, management, engineering, regulatory compliance, planning, design, construction, or administration of municipal water and wastewater utilities, including significant experience with complex treatment processes, capital improvement programs, environmental regulations, and organizational leadership. Possession of a Florida Class A Water Operator License, Florida Class A Wastewater Operator License, or both is highly desirable.

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, environmental science, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field is also desirable. Experience managing or coordinating major capital improvement projects, consultant contracts, regulatory permitting, grant-funded projects, strategic initiatives, or similar complex utility programs. Any equivalent combination of education, professional certifications, training, and directly related experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Possession of, or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment, a valid Florida Driver License. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities In addition to meeting the minimum qualifications listed above, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions in order to perform this job successfully. Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, operations, and management of municipal water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) systems.

Thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations, permitting requirements, and utility compliance programs, including those administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). Knowledge of advanced water and wastewater treatment processes, utility infrastructure, asset management, and emerging technologies affecting the utility industry

Knowledge of engineering principles, capital improvement planning, project delivery methods, construction administration, and consultant management. Knowledge of budgeting, grant administration, procurement, contract administration, and financial management principles applicable to municipal utilities. Ability to evaluate complex technical, engineering, regulatory, financial, and operational issues and develop practical, cost-effective solutions.

Ability to analyze data, interpret technical reports, engineering plans, specifications, and regulatory requirements, and make sound recommendations. Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple projects and assignments while meeting deadlines and organizational objectives. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with elected officials, executive management, regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, employees, and the public.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to provide technical leadership, mentor staff, facilitate collaboration, and foster organizational development and succession planning. Skill in preparing clear, concise, and accurate reports, presentations, policies, agenda items, correspondence, and other technical documents.

Skill in the use of computers and software applications commonly utilized in municipal utility operations, engineering, project management, budgeting, and office administration. Physical Requirements Depending on assignment, duties may involve moderate physical activity, including occasional lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of objects weighing up to 80 pounds with assistance and appropriate equipment as necessary. Environmental Requirements Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments and may involve exposure to adverse weather conditions, noise, fumes, dirt, or other environmental factors associated with law enforcement operations.

Sensory Requirements Duties require manual dexterity, visual acuity, hearing acuity, color recognition, and the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing. Emergency Response and Essential Employee Statement All City employees share responsibility for emergency response activities. While not all positions may be designated as essential during emergency events, employees may be subject to recall at any time to support emergency operations.

Such assignments may require irregular work hours, work at alternate locations, and the performance of duties outside the normal scope of responsibilities under physically and operationally demanding conditions. Preference may be given to qualified current City employees. Positions are open until filled unless otherwise specified.

The City of Marco Island is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug-free and smoke-free workplace. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement The City of Marco Island is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and federal laws. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable qualified individuals to perform the essential functions of the position, unless doing so would create an undue hardship for the City.

Applicants requiring accommodation during the recruitment or selection process should notify the Human Resources Department.