THE OPPORTUNITY

The Johnson County Special Utility District (District) is offering an excellent opportunity for a Professional Engineer (PE) to serve as the next District Engineer. This position is a cornerstone opportunity to lead a team of industry professionals dedicated to providing safe, reliable water to District customers.

ABOUT JOHNSON COUNTY SPECIAL UTILITY DISTRICT

In 1965, the Johnson County Rural Water Supply Corporation was organized and chartered under state statutes as a non-profit corporation. The system began with 305 users and served a genuine need in supplying drinking water to the rural community. In 1972, the West Prairie Water Supply Corporation in the northern portion of the County was merged into the existing system. The merger of these two entities into one was named the Johnson County Rural Water Supply Corporation. In 1977, the Nolan River Water Supply Corporation in the southern portion of the County also merged with the Corporation.

In 2000, the system was serving 10,200 connections.  The Board of Directors voted to convert Johnson County Rural Water Supply Corporation to a special utility district (SUD).  Converting to a SUD allows water supply corporations to become a political subdivision. The largest cost savings accumulate for governmental entities issuing tax-exempt bonds to fund capital projects. Finally, in 2004, the Texas legislature approved the conversion, and the organization began operating as the Johnson County Special Utility District.

Since 2000, the number of connections has doubled to some 19,661 households which encompasses a service population of approximately 60,000 consumers.  In addition to these retail consumer connections, this public water supplier with such humble beginnings is steadily evolving into much more as time and growth continue in and around Johnson County, Texas.

THE DISTRICT

The District’s operation, handled by the General Manager and more than 60 dedicated staff members, is organized into four departments: Administration, Customer Service, Operations, and Engineering. The Engineering Department is led by the District Engineer who, along with a five-member team, is responsible for maintaining and increasing system capacity to meet regulatory requirements and customer demand; maintaining and updating the system’s hydraulic model; and implementing the District’s five-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP).

The District provides safe, reliable water for use in residential, commercial, industrial, and public use applications. The District’s raw water supply is provided by a variety of sources, including groundwater, lake water, and wholesale water contracts. The District operates 18 water wells which tap into the Trinity and Paluxy Aquifers to provide approximately 30 percent of the total water production. The remaining 70 percent of the District’s water purchases are from the Brazos Regional Public Utility Agency on Lake Granbury and lake water from the from Cedar Creek and Richland Chambers Reservoir by way of the City of Mansfield. The District also contracts with the Brazos River Authority for treated water. In addition, the District serves as a regional wholesale water provider to several cities, communities and districts.

THE POSITION

The Johnson County Special Utility District is seeking a registered professional engineer to serve as District Engineer, a senior manager representing the Engineering Department on the District’s Management Team. The District Engineer will be responsible for the administration and supervision of the Engineering Department and the coordination of activities between the Operations and Engineering Departments. Accordingly, this position functions with a significant amount of autonomy and associated responsibility so the highest ethical standards and integrity are essential. Under the nominal supervision of the District’s General Manager, this position plans, supervises, and coordinates professional engineering work in support of a wide range of complex projects for the Johnson County Special Utility District.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will possess any combination of education and/or experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position. A typical combination includes:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or closely related field, from an accredited college or university.

• Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of increasingly responsible professional management and supervisory experience in public works and/or engineering with experience performing duties at least comparable to a Deputy Public Works Director, Public Works Division Manager, or Associate Engineer, including experience as a project manager. Experience in municipal professional public works and/or water/wastewater is preferred.

• Required Licenses and Certifications: Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas or the ability to obtain Texas certification within 12 months of hire. Possession of a valid Texas Driver’s License with acceptable driving record.

SALARY & BENEFITS

The salary offering is up to $160,000, with the final salary determined based on qualifications and experience. The District offers an excellent benefits package, refer to the detailed recruitment brochure for additional benefit information.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS

All qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a compelling interest letter and comprehensive résumé below by Monday, December 2, 2024.

Due to the public nature of searches in the State of Texas, confidential inquiries are recommended before submission of materials should you have any questions.

Confidential inquiries are welcomed to:

Jacqueline “Jackie” Seabrooks | jackie@mosaicpublic.com | (916) 550-4100