WATERSHED PROTECTION MANAGER
Central Arkansas Water (CAW), an award-winning water utility serving Little RockNorth Little Rock and surrounding areas, is currently seeking a skilled, innovative leader
to serve as Watershed Protection Manager for our utility.
CAW, the largest drinking water supplier in the state of Arkansas, is located in the heart of
the state’s vibrant and thriving center of business, education, research and technology
along the Arkansas River. Home to nearly 400,000 residents, the region has received
national recognition in many areas and has been named: #1 Kiplinger’s “10 Most Livable
Cities” (2013); #7 Kiplinger’s “Top 10 Cities - Best Values” (2011); #1 “Best Cities with
Strongest Economies”, Parenting magazine (2010); 31st “Best Cities to Raise a Family”,
Parenting magazine (2011); 38th “Best Place in America for Business and Careers” (2012);
a Top 10 Distinction from the National Tour Association (2014); and 2nd “Cleanest City in
the Nation” on the Forbes list of America’s Cleanest Cities (2011). Forbes magazine also
ranked Little Rock-North Little Rock 2nd in the nation for water quality (2011).
CAW was formed in 2001 through the unique merger of two individual municipal utilities.
Since its formation, CAW has been recognized as a leader nationally and has been honored
to receive the top recognition in the water industry, the prestigious Association of
Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) Platinum Award for Utility Excellence (2012).
CAW also proudly received the American Water Works Association Diversity Award
(2013); the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) and
the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (2009, 2010, 2011,
2012); the Jack Evans Regional Leadership Award from Metroplan (2012); the 2012
International Davey Award for CAW’s 2011 Water Quality Report; and the 2013
Leadership in Fitness Award from the Arkansas Governor’s Council on Fitness and
Baptist Health. Additional achievements include the EPA’s prestigious Environmental
Excellence Award on five different occasions; the AMWA Gold Award for Competitiveness
Achievement; America’s Crown Communities Award by the National League of Cities;
and the Sierra Club of Arkansas Outstanding Public Agency of the Year.
CAW serves a retail and wholesale population of more than 400,000 in 17 cities and
communities, with a service area encompassing 400 square miles that includes two raw
water supplies; a regulating and storage facility; two treatment facilities; 2,500 miles of
pipeline; 24 booster pumping stations and 27 remote storage facilities. CAW has 281
uniquely dedicated employees and a $49.3 million annual operating budget for 2014. Key
areas of focus for our world class utility include ongoing implementation of the
comprehensive Lake Maumelle Watershed Protection Plan; Asset Management;
Stakeholder Education and Outreach; Community Sustainability and Continuous
Improvement Activities; Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives; and Performance, Metrics
and Benchmarking Initiatives.
The Watershed Protection Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and managing
broad, large-scale watershed protection programs; analyzing, preparing and presenting
technical information; building program support and coordinating work activities within
and outside the utility.
This position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Water or Environmental Resource
Management (or related field), Civil, Chemical, Environmental or Agricultural
Engineering, Biology, Microbiology, or Chemistry plus 5 years work experience in the water
utility industry (treatment, distribution or source), watershed management, surface source
water protection, natural resources management or environmental protection, including
environmental regulatory compliance. Experience in public speaking, applying technical
information to environmental protection and control of by products also required.
Preference will be given to the candidate with a Master’s Degree in natural science,
engineering or relevant area; experience in developing and implementing natural resource
management plans related to watershed management; and experience in grant writing and
grant management.
The successful candidate must have a thorough understanding of operations, laws and
regulations pertaining to public water systems; principles & practices of watershed
management including conservation laws, water pollution control, erosion and sediment
control, fish & game laws, forestry, and recreation management; limnology; environmental
protection research principles and practices; development and evaluation of research and
monitoring programs; short and long range land use planning and control including
financial planning; soil and water; aquatic biology and microbiology; organic and
inorganic chemistry; quantitative and qualitative analysis; hydrology; forestry; utility
water rights and raw water sources; marketing strategies/ public outreach; personal
computers and software; and overall water works system operations.
Must have highly developed skills in written and oral communications; long range planning
and analysis; program/project planning, development and management; and be skilled in
diplomatic dealings with politically sensitive issues.
The successful candidate must possess the ability to
develop and present technical
information and reports, orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working
relationships with co-workers, governmental agencies, citizen groups, legislative bodies and
the business sector; interpret, apply and explain laws, regulations and technical
information in laymen’s terms; analyze complex issues and problems, evaluate alternatives
and develop and recommend programs, policies, strategies or effective courses of action;
coordinate activities with & through departments, governmental officials, community
leaders, citizen groups, businesses & the media; plan, schedule, coordinate and oversee
projects to meet priorities and deadlines; develop operational goals within policy guidelines
and statutory regulations; analyze legislative issues/activities and define impact on the
utility’s water resources; evaluate the impact and effectiveness of programs and activities;
perform economic analysis and recommend alternatives; work independently; and exercise
considerable independent judgment.
License within required timeframes.
Must obtain the Arkansas Grade IV Treatment
We offer an excellent work environment and an outstanding employee benefits package
including, but not limited to, company paid health, dental, life, and disability insurances,
generous paid time off, Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) and
retirement savings programs. Resume/application deadline will be June 27, 2014.
Central Arkansas Water--Human Resources Office
221 East Capitol Avenue, P.O. Box 1789, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203
Job Line: 501-377-1335 Fax: 501-377-7051
An application packet is available at www.carkw.com and applications may also be requested
and submitted by email (humanresources@carkw.com) or by fax (501-377-7051). Position will
remain open until filled.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We welcome and support diversity in our workplace.