Field Operations Section Chief (INTERNAL ONLY)

ABOUT OUR CITY

The City of Sunrise is more than a workplace — it’s a community built on our Three Pillars: Customer Service, Collaboration, and Transparency. We’re committed to creating an environment where innovation thrives, teamwork is celebrated, and every employee has the opportunity to grow and make a lasting impact.

As a full-service municipality and one of South Florida’s premier cities, Sunrise offers competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, professional development opportunities, and a strong culture of recognition. Whether you’re helping residents, shaping policy, or improving city operations, you’ll be part of a team that’s passionate about service excellence and community pride.

We take pride in being home to the back-to-back NHL Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers , a vibrant arts and entertainment district, and a diverse community that truly embodies what it means to Live, Work, and Playin Sunrise.

Effective January 2026, the City is has launched an AlternativeWork Schedule designed to further support employee work-life balance — providing eligible staff with twothree-day weekends per month through an every-other-Friday-off model. This initiative reflects our continued focus on flexibility and employee well-being.

NATURE OF WORK

This is highly responsible administrative and technical supervisory role with work involving the twenty-four hour per day operation of a large water and wastewater transmission, distribution and collections system as well as various lift stations. The incumbent performs a variety of administrative tasks, oversees, guides, and mentors subordinate supervisors, field staff, and other field employees engaged in operations and maintenance activities. The employee in this class must be available on a 24-hour basis to cover emergencies. This position is given considerable latitude for independent judgment and decision-making to ensure compliance with federal, state and local policies and drinking water standards. The employee is responsible for maintaining a safe working environment that complies with federal, state, and City guidelines. An employee in this classification is responsible for performing diverse supervisory and technical assignments in overseeing and supervising the operation of the municipal water transmission and distribution, and wastewater collection and conveyance systems. Work is of unusual difficulty and involves such activities as plan reviews, system operation and maintenance, metering, repair services, and related functions. The exercise of initiative and independent judgment is required in providing guidance and supervision for continuous operation and maintenance of the system as well as establishing service levels and recommending projects that meet current and future municipal water distribution and wastewater collection and conveyance needs. Administrative functions of this position include assisting in policy and program objective implementation, project development, budget preparation and submission, training of personnel, assisting in the development and review of service contracts for maintenance and repairs, scheduling work using Computerized Maintenance and Management Systems (CMMS) work order systems, verifying and recording satisfactory completion of work by vendors and staff, ensuring proper use and accountability of funds and equipment and compliance with contract documents, ensuring compliance with Florida Administrative Codes and federal regulations, as well as ensuring that efficient and correct safety procedures and practices are followed. Under administrative direction, the employee exercises direction and supervision over subordinate personnel. Personnel supervisory responsibilities include maintaining and elevating division level performance, employee performance appraisals, first level discipline administration, and recommending employment, dismissal, transfers, promotions, and salary increases. Work is reviewed through results achieved, reports, staff conferences, and observations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Plans, develops, organizes, coordinates, administrates, and directs the efficient and safe operation, and comprehensive maintenance and repair program of a municipal water transmission and distribution, and wastewater collection and transmission systems; manages the efficient cross-connection and backflow prevention program, the water main leak detection program, large and small meter maintenance program, valve and fire hydrant maintenance and repair programs, underground utility location program, water system distribution flushing program, valve exercising program, pump replacement program for lift stations, lift station rehabilitation and conversion program, sewer collection television surveys and repair activities, the inflow and infiltration control program, and pressurized main repairs and replacement activities for the department.
• Assists in the preparation and management of necessary contracts and specifications for equipment, services, and facilities as needed for water transmission and distribution, and wastewater collection and conveyance operation; coordinates the planning, scheduling and monitoring of the annual work management program, ensures that proper priorities are followed and service levels are obtained in accordance with department standards.
• Makes recommendations to the administrative staff, for additional policies, programs, service levels, and capital projects to meet current and future municipal water distribution and wastewater collection needs.
• Communicates with contractors, developers, engineers, inspectors, customers, clients, vendors, the public, and other City employees to disseminate information regarding the water/wastewater utility system programs and resolves related problems and provides project status and updates to staff. Serves as the Department representative at meetings related to water/wastewater utility system issues. Communicates with the public to prevent, resolve, or minimize the impact of utility problems. Responds to questions regarding the water distribution and wastewater collection and conveyance systems.
• Assigns, schedules, directs and reviews work of subordinate supervisors involved in the installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement of water mains, transmission lines, valves, hydrants, sanitary sewer system, force mains and all lift stations and other appurtenances; conducts efficiency studies and prepares periodic reports; troubleshoots problems of a complex nature and recommends solutions.
• Develops, reviews and implements operations, maintenance repair, and equipment use protocols and guidelines.
• Observes and provides oversight on construction activities related to water and wastewater Capital Improvement Projects, Departmental utility construction projects, operation, maintenance, and installation and repair of the City's water and wastewater utility infrastructure by staff or contractors.
• Oversees operational construction activities while in progress to ensure conformance with good practices, procedures and established work methods; establishes and maintains system preventative and corrective maintenance schedules using CMMS; ensures maintenance and repair of departmental vehicles and equipment, assists in preparation review and updating of vehicles and equipment specifications, administers the preparation and submittal of operations and maintenance records and reports.
• Establishes protocols, procedures, and standards for the operation and diligently pursues conformance from subordinate staff.
• Assist the administrative staff of the department in the implementation of long and short range programs; completes and presents studies and periodic and special reports concerning water distribution and wastewater collection projects; advises and replies to inquiries from municipal officials, employees, governmental agencies and the general pubic on policy, operations, regulations, and future requirements of the division.
• Directs and conducts the training of field employees, supervisory, technical, and other support personnel on proper procedures and proper use of tools and equipment; controls and monitors the division budget to carry out the work program; ensures proper utilization of appropriated funds.
• Assists in the development of plans for staffing and continuous operation of the collection and distribution system; performs office and personnel supervisory duties; recommends employment, promotion, demotion, and evaluates personnel salary increases; serves as initial respondent to employee grievances when required.
• Schedules vendor work and ensures work complies with contract documents and/or other agreements and verifies completion of work.
• Ensures proper use and accountability of purchases and that they are in accordance with city and departmental policies, procedures and directives.
• Supports the culture of safety within the Department and follow safe work practices to eliminate & mitigate hazardous conditions & behaviors at the work environment.
• Performs related work as required.

EDUCATION

• Graduation from a standard high school/vocational school or G.E.D. equivalency.
• Supplemental college related courses desired.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Extensive experience in the operation, and maintenance of water distribution and/or wastewater collection facilities and/or system Including considerable related supervisory experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Must possess a State of Florida Water Distribution System Operator's license.
• Must obtain, within the one (1) year of hire, a Class A, B or C Wastewater Collection System Operator's certification.
• Proficiency in Windows based software, including Word, Access, and Excel; Graphical Information Systems (GIS); and Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS).
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Must obtain a valid Florida driver’s license prior to hire

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Physical

• Must have sufficient strength and agility to permit heavy lifting, moving materials and other stock or equipment; kneeling, bending, reaching and climbing steps or ladders; sitting or standing for prolonged period of time required. Must have the ability to operate a City issued motor vehicle and/or forklift.

Work Environment

• Work is performed in various environments depending on assignment including standard office setting, warehouse, and in the field at various public locations within the City. Shifts and work hours may vary and may include evenings, weekends and holidays. Somedutiesmay require exposure to adverse conditions including but not limited to varying temperature, inclement weather and/or other adverse environmental conditions.

Sensory

• The ability to perceive and differentiate visual cues or signals. Tasks require the ability to communicate orally and in writing. Requires ability to adapt to frequent changes in workload and to adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate while completing tasks within established periods. It also requires interaction with employees from all City departments/divisions and the public.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge of planning and development in the field of water transmission and distribution and sewer collections and conveyance systems and equipment.
• Extensive knowledge of maintenance planning and scheduling techniques.
• Extensive knowledge of methods, practices, materials and equipment used in a utility maintenance, construction and repair work.
• Extensive knowledge in current standards that apply to water and wastewater systems, equipment, processes, and materials.
• Extensive knowledge of water distribution system and sanitary sewer system equipment and facility maintenance requirements and supervisory training techniques.
• Extensive knowledge of supervisory principles, practices, techniques, and methods of organization relating to a municipal utility, preferably in a water transmission, distribution, and sewer collections operation.
• Extensive knowledge of effective administrative and personnel supervisory principles, practices and methods.
• Extensive knowledge of Federal, State, and municipal codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations pertinent to water transmission and distribution operation and maintenance and wastewater collection and conveyance operation and maintenance.
• Knowledge of computers and related software applications and PC based word processing and database programs.
• Ability to successfully supervise the work of a large and diversified staff engaged in performing a variety of technical operations and maintenance assignments.
• Ability to use computerized management systems, associated work methods, implement changes, and modification for improvements.
• Ability to read, review, and interpret engineering reports, bid plans for water/wastewater system improvements, and provide comments to engineering consultants and developers.
• Ability to work with Department Engineering staff.
• Ability to review and comment on plans and technical specifications for water supply, water distribution, and wastewater collection system projects and provide input to Engineering staff on installation details and acceptable materials of construction.
• Attend any plan development and/or construction meetings and observes progress of related construction projects in the field.
• Ability to provide review and update standard details related to water and wastewater projects, and review applications and make recommendations for additions to the water/wastewater utility system Community Development Department approved products list.
• Ability to conduct research and analyze studies, plans, specifications, and other technical materials in order to reach sound objective conclusions.
• Ability to plan, schedule and coordinate components of a utility operations and maintenance program.
• Ability to supervise preparation of and/or prepare administrative and technical reports and papers and to impart them effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to organize, schedule, assign, supervise, motivate, monitor, review and report the work of subordinates.
• Ability to maintain records and compile reports.
• Ability to read, interpret and work from plans, drawings and specifications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work cooperatively with all levels of staff and the public.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise oral and written reports and memos.
• Ability to communicate with the public in a cordial and helpful manner.
• Ability to build and maintain effective work teams.
• Physical skill and agility are sufficient to perform assigned duties.
• Ability to drive and operate department vehicles and equipment.