Commissioner - Philadelphia Water Department

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Philadelphia Water Department is a municipal department of approximately 2500 employees working in all facets to provide water/wastewater treatment services to the City of Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.

The Department's primary mission is to plan for, operate, and maintain both the infrastructure and the organization necessary to purvey high quality drinking water, to provide an adequate and reliable water supply for all household, commercial, and community needs, and to sustain and enhance the region's watersheds and quality of life by managing wastewater and storm water effectively.

In fulfilling its mission, the Department seeks to be customer-focused, delivering services in a fair, equitable, and cost-effective manner, with a commitment to public involvement. Having already served the City and region for nearly two centuries, the Department's commitment for the future includes an active role in the economic development of Greater Philadelphia and a legacy of environmental stewardship.

Job Description

Position Summary

The Commissioner of the Water Department serves as the chief executive of the Philadelphia Water Department, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and policy direction. Reporting directly to the Deputy Managing Director of Transportation and Infrastructure, the Commissioner is responsible for leading and managing the Department through a team of Deputy Commissioners overseeing critical divisions across water treatment, wastewater management, stormwater systems, environmental services, engineering, administration, and customer service.

This role demands a visionary leader who can navigate complex regulatory environments, drive operational excellence, foster innovation, and advance the Department's commitment to environmental stewardship and public service.

Essential Functions

• Provide strategic leadership and management of all Philadelphia Water Department operations, programs, and initiatives.
• Direct the work of Deputy Commissioners to ensure high performance and accountability across all operational, technical, and administrative functions.
• Develop and execute long-term strategic plans to maintain and enhance the City's water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure and services.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations and standards governing water quality, environmental protection, and public health.
• Champion customer service excellence, equity, sustainability, and public engagement across all departmental activities.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Deputy Managing Director of Transportation and Infrastructure and other City leadership on water infrastructure, environmental policy, and operational matters.
• Oversee budget development and financial management to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable operations.
• Promote a culture of innovation, diversity, equity, inclusion, and continuous improvement within the Department.
• Represent PWD to external stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and regional partners.

Required Competencies, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices related to water supply, wastewater, and stormwater management operations, infrastructure planning, and environmental protection.
• Thorough understanding of local, state, and federal regulatory frameworks governing drinking water quality, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and environmental sustainability (e.g., EPA regulations, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act).
• In-depth knowledge of public sector financial management, budgeting processes, capital project planning, and funding mechanisms for municipal utilities.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies and industry best practices in water resource management, climate resiliency, infrastructure modernization, and smart utility operations.
• Understanding of organizational leadership principles, change management, employee engagement, and public service ethics.

Skills

• Skill in setting a clear vision, align diverse teams toward strategic goals, and lead complex utility operations effectively.
• Skilled in overseeing large-scale utility budgets, financial forecasting, resource allocation, and operational efficiency.
• Skilled in developing, interpreting, and enforcing policies to ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards.
• Strong skills in building partnerships with government agencies, community organizations, environmental advocates, customers, and other key stakeholders.
• Skill in clearly communicating technical, policy, and operational information to diverse audiences, including elected officials, regulatory bodies, and the general public.
• Skilled in emergency preparedness, risk management, and decision-making under pressure to ensure continuity of critical public services.
• Skill to drive organizational innovation, address complex operational challenges, and adapt strategies to evolving environmental, technological, and social demands.

Abilities

• Ability to motivate and lead a workforce of approximately 2,500 employees across multiple divisions, fostering a high-performance, inclusive, and customer-focused culture.
• Ability to approach organizational challenges from a systems-thinking perspective, understanding interdependencies between infrastructure, environmental, financial, and community factors.
• Ability to incorporate principles of fairness, equity, and environmental justice into the planning, delivery, and continuous improvement of services.
• Ability to effectively prioritize immediate operational needs with long-term infrastructure and organizational development goals.
• Ability to lead initiatives that enhance the city's resilience to climate change, protect water resources, and promote sustainable infrastructure solutions.
• Ability to act as a trusted representative of the Philadelphia Water Department in public forums, regulatory negotiations, and regional partnerships.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is required.

Master’s degree or Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the management of a medium or large public or private sector public water or wastewater utility with at least 5 years of executive or leadership experience in water utility management, public infrastructure, environmental management for a medium or large public or private water or wastewater utility.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: $240,000 - $290,000

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx