GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Utilities Department is comprised of three, distinct utility services, which share a single Business Office; together, the Utilities Department is responsible for approximately 7,000 electric customers, as well as 5,000 water, and 3,000 wastewater customers. The Utilities Department's fundamental priorities include customer satisfaction, operational effectiveness, resiliency, accessibility, and long-range sustainability.

The Business Manager is directly responsible for the Department's business-to-business functions, like processing of accounts payable, as well as customer-facing operations, including billing, receipts, collections, customer service and sustainability initiatives. He/she provides immediate supervision of the Department's clerical team and exempt specialists, while also interfacing with external consultants, vendors, and other professional partners.

In addition, the Business Manager maintains cognizance over internal technology systems critical to Department operations. Such technologies include SCADA systems, incident response platforms, asset management platforms, communication networks, security systems, advanced metering infrastructure, and related systems.

As a member of the Utilities management team, the Business Manager actively participates in planning, developing, and executing projects that impact the long-term value and sustainability of the organization.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Under the direction of the Electric Manager, the Utilities Business Manager will:

• Manage the performance and effectiveness of approximately 6-8 direct reports through the routine execution of critical functions including approximately $25 million in billing and collections annually;
• Using Customer Information System, Advanced Metering Infrastructure, or other business service platforms, process data, derive insights, and provide recommendations to inform strategic decision making;
• Coordinate between vendors, consultants, and related stakeholders for business-to-business activities, including processing of accounts payable and maintaining functionality of critical service platforms;
• Manage projects, as necessary/directed, to implement capital improvements or operational changes within the context of the Business Office;
• Assist in the development of reports including the annual departmental operating budgets, DPU report, ELD Annual Report, RP3/SEP applications, Green Community progress report, and related documents; and,
• Direct procurement of goods and services for the Business Office (e.g., bill printing services), including decision making, development of specifications, selection of sources, solicitation and evaluation of offers, contract awards, and preparation of

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

• Directly responsible for the management of all Business Office staff, including union clerks (4) and exempt specialists (2)

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support the development and implementation of office projects and procedures with particular emphasis on data processing activities
• Coordinate with the Electric Manager to set monthly rate for purchase power fuel adjustment
• Maintain cognizance over sustainability initiatives, including customer rebates and incentives
• Provide reports (e.g., water liens) to relevant boards and committees, as directed
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Electric Manager

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor degree in business, finance or accounting; MBA, CPA, other relevant certifications or master degree
• Three to five years of office management experience, preferably in municipal
• Familiarity with utility office practices and professional development on public utility finance and accounting.
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time sensitive
• Demonstrated knowledge of, and passion for,
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment
• Ability to problem solve and deal with conflict and
• Demonstrated record of reliability and
• Skill in courteous and professional
• Solve problems using personal judgment and specialized
• Work on different projects and adjust to changing

WORKING CONDITIONS:

 Lifting of 20 pounds and occasionally lifting and/or carrying such articles as computer printouts, notebooks, small tools etc. Ability to sit at a work station for extended periods. Walking and standing required occasionally. Seeing, hearing, talking, feeling, reaching and seeing

• Inside: Protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. A job is considered ”inside“ if the worker spends 75% or more of the time inside.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.