San Antonio Water System (SAWS) Chief of Information Systems
Location: San Antonio, TX Download: San Antonio Water System (SAWS) - Chief of Information Systems Brochure
San Antonio Water System (SAWS)
Chief of Information Systems
San Antonio Water System SAWS
SAWS is a public utility owned by the City of San Antonio. It was created in May 1992 through the consolidation of its three predecessor agencies, the City Water Board, City Wastewater, Department, and the Alamo Water Conservation and Reuse District. Since the formation of SAWS, San Antonio has been recognized nationally for its novel conservation efforts and proactive water management planning, making San Antonio water's most resourceful city.
Service Area
The San Antonio Water System serves more than 1.6 million people in Bexar County, as well as parts of Medina and Atascosa counties. This population includes more than 460,000 water customers and 411,000 wastewater customers.
SAWS service areas are established by its permits from state regulatory authorities. The service area for water supply includes most of Bexar County, several suburban municipalities and adjacent parts of the county. In addition to serving its own retail customers, SAWS also provides wholesale water supplies to several smaller utility systems within this area.
A larger and somewhat different area, following natural watersheds, is defined for wastewater collection and treatment. SAWS is the only sewage treatment agency in this area, and it charges a fee to the military bases and suburban cities which maintain their own wastewater collection systems. SAWS also provides collection and treatment services by contract to developments outside its defined service area to avoid unnecessary proliferation of state wastewater discharge permits.
Extensions of SAWS water and sewer systems are accomplished by a combination of direct action by new subdivision developers and expansion of off-site facilities by SAWS. First, subdivision developers are required to install all of the water and sewer facilities within their development projects at their own expense. The design and construction of these facilities must be approved by SAWS, and the facilities are dedicated to the System upon completion. Corresponding extension of off-site mains and expansion of overall system capacity are then financed by the development "impact fees," which are authorized by state law. These fees are enacted by the San Antonio City Council, and they are based on the estimated average water demand by various kinds of development.
Impact fees are recalculated every three years to finance projected system expansion needs based on updated growth projections. This financing mechanism is designed to ensure that new development "pays its own way," rather than being subsidized by existing customers.
Board of Trustees
SAWS is governed by the San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees. The board consists of the Mayor and six members appointed by the City Council. Trustees must reside either within the area served by SAWS or within the corporate limits of the city. Each member is appointed for a four-year term, and no member may serve more than two terms.
Information Services Division
Information Services is a division of the Financial Services department and provides system, data management, and technical services for internal and external customers, including applications support, network engineering, database management, technical support, telecommunications, mainframe management, and print shop services.
The Position
The Chief of Information Systems is responsible for providing overall IT strategic and operational direction to achieve business goals by fostering innovation, and ensuring the evaluation, prioritization, deployment, and sustainment of current and future IT systems across the organization. Provides vision and leadership in the development and implementation of the organization's information technology (IT) infrastructure. Also provides vision and leadership in developing, implementing and administering information technology and program management policies and programs. Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and standards. This position reports directly to the CFO.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Establishes and maintains the corporate vision, develops strategic plans identifying Information Technology applications to enable business plans or create new strategic initiatives.
- Provides senior leadership to key technology initiatives in the areas of enterprise resource planning and related applications, integration and work flow, business process automation, data center operations and electronic communications.
- Ensures the development and implementation of information technology and program management policies, programs, and services for the organization's IT systems.
- Acts as senior level advisor on information technology and program management issues to other executives and employees throughout SAWS.
- Establishes and participates in the strategic and operational governance processes related to Information Technology.
- Translates business strategies and issues of the business and drives information technology and program management practices and processes that will create an effective organization.
- Influences decisions to optimize organizational resources to achieve the organization's IT objectives.
- Establishes, promotes and encourages a strong IT culture to include teamwork and collaboration internal and external to SAWS including outside agencies and the community.
- Selects, develops, evaluates, leads and retains a team of information technology and program management professionals empowered and skilled to achieve the organization's IT objectives.
- Recognizes and rewards high performance; respects and promotes diversity.
- Maintains current knowledge and understanding of regulations, industry trends, current practices, new developments, and applicable laws regarding information technology and program management.
- Applies executive level business management principles, conventions, standards and practices.
- Manages the human, physical, and financial resources for the IT and program teams.
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and public relations internal to SAWS, with SAWS EMT, Board members, members of related agencies as well as peers in the industry.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a closely related field plus ten years of experience managing and directing information technology and program management functions, including seven years' experience in supervising personnel. A Master's degree is preferred.
Licenses and Certifications
- A Valid Class "C" Texas Driver's License consistent with SAWS Driving Policy is required.
- Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) or a Program Management Certification (PMI) is preferred.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will need to have experience in organizational change and strategic IT research, planning and execution. Comprehensive knowledge of business principles and techniques of administration, organization and management is essential; in addition to, information systems technology and extensive knowledge of hardware, networks, and applications portfolios.
The ideal candidate should have experience formulating and implementing a Technology Roadmap and maintaining technical oversight in a company of similar size; utility experience is highly preferred.
Effective communication along with strong collaboration and team building skills will be necessary for this individual to be successful; advanced written and oral communication skills are imperative.
Salary
The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is offering a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package. Relocation assistance will also be available for a successful out of area candidate.
How to Apply
Applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to:
resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: SAWSCIS
Affion Public
2120 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
888.321.4922
Fax: 717-214-8004
www.affionpublic.com
The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
*Deadline to receive resumes is April 07, 2016
Posted: 03/22/2022