City of Delaware, OH – Director of Public Utilities

The City of Delaware is seeking an experienced, collaborative, mission-driven leader to serve as its next Director of Public Utilities. Operating under the direction of the City Manager, the Director is responsible for the strategic planning, tactical action, and operational oversight required to successfully lead the City’s Public Utilities Department.

Public Utilities is a robust department dedicated to providing safe, reliable water and wastewater services to the community. The Director leads a complex department comprised of the following operational divisions:

• Water Treatment: Operates with a treatment capacity of 7.2 million gallons per day (MGD), utilizing both ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membrane technologies. The division treats approximately 10.8 million gallons of surface water annually.
• Water Distribution: Maintains a vast network comprising 225 miles of water lines, 2,500 fire hydrants, and 13,500 water meters.
• Wastewater Treatment: Manages a treatment capacity of 10.0 MGD with an average daily flow of 4.9 MGD, treating 1.8 billion gallons annually.
• Sanitary Sewer Collection: Oversees 200 miles of sanitary sewer lines, 3,800 manholes, and 14 sanitary pump stations.
• Storm Water & Watershed Management: Responsible for 200 miles of storm lines, over 7,500 catch basins, and the management of 430 square miles of watershed area.

The Director is a steward of the City’s critical infrastructure, overseeing the preparation and management of operating and capital budgets and ensuring strict compliance with all applicable Federal and State regulations. As a key member of the City’s leadership team, the Director will foster a culture of teamwork, dedication, diversity, and an innovative spirit.

Priorities

• Strategic Infrastructure Investment: Lead the execution of planned Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) such as the upground reservoir and Olentangy interceptor to proactively address infrastructure demands driven by the City’s rapid growth. Ensure that the City maintains its high-quality utility service delivery while proactively preparing for future growth.
• Financial Stewardship: Ensure that the City adheres to a 3–5-year cycle for utility rate reviews to ensure long-term solvency and affordability for the community. Work with the City Engineer to establish a standard, transparent process for capacity fee management.
• Succession Planning: In collaboration with Human Resources, develop and implement a formal mentorship and succession plan to transfer institutional knowledge from long-tenured managers to the next generation of Public Utilities Department leaders.
• Technology Modernization: Identify data analytics tools to leverage data from current systems (e.g., AMI, SCADA, CMMS) to move the department toward a data-driven management culture and predictive maintenance approach.
• Economic Development: Collaborate with City leadership to foster state and regional utility partnerships. Ensure that current and future infrastructure capacity supports the attraction of “game-changing” employers to the City. Collaborate with Economic Development to accurately project infrastructure needs and manage developer expectations regarding water and sewer infrastructure expansion.
• Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship: Champion the City’s Watershed and Sustainability initiatives, including the protection of the Olentangy River and Delaware Run corridors, aligning with the Citywide goal to build a connected network of trails and greenways.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assure continued compliance with State and Federal Agencies’ rules, regulations, and permits (e.g., OEPA, USEPA, OSHA), prioritizing public health and safety.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Actively integrate the Public Utilities Department with the wider City organization, including standardizing bidding and construction processes in collaboration with Engineering and coordinating street/right-of-way digs proactively with Public Works.

The Successful Candidate

The ideal Director is a seasoned public sector leader with substantial senior leadership experience in municipal water and wastewater operations. The successful candidate balances strategic vision with a willingness to roll up their sleeves and work collaboratively with their team and peer departments to accomplish the City’s goals. They have a high level of comfort translating complex technical concepts into plain language for elected officials, senior leaders, and the broader community and are also highly effective relating to field staff, plant operators, external consultants, and developers. They possess the financial acumen to successfully manage complex enterprise funds and the technical expertise to effectively plan and execute multi-year capital projects.

The successful candidate is a natural collaborator who is skilled at working cross-functionally in infrastructure maintenance and capital project management. They will foster a culture of transparency and accountability across the department and work toward aligning with the Public Works and Engineering departments to standardize the City’s bidding, construction, and infrastructure maintenance processes. They are forward-thinking and tech-savvy, eager to utilize data analytics to shift the department toward predictive maintenance approach.

Considering the City’s current growth rate, the ideal Director is comfortable and confident in addressing projected future utility infrastructure needs directly with developers. They assume a high level of ownership to ensure the City’s planned future growth is supported by reliable and resilient utility infrastructure and operations. They are community-oriented, mission-driven, and enthusiastic about becoming a visible, trusted leader in the City.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in environmental science, engineering, planning, public or business administration and four (4) or more years of progressive responsibility in water, wastewater, and storm water management. The incumbent must possess and maintain Class III Certifications as Water Supply Works Operator and Wastewater Works Operator.

Preferred qualifications include the ability to obtain Class IV Certifications as Water Supply Works Operator and Wastewater Works Operator and current licensure as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Engineer In Training (E.I.T.). Applicants with demonstrated success at the senior leadership level in municipal utility operations are strongly preferred, particularly in a community experiencing rapid growth. Ideal candidates will have practical hands-on experience in water and wastewater operations, capital project management, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Inside The Organization

Established in 1808, the City of Delaware operates under a Council-Manager form of government and serves a growing population of approximately 48,000 residents. The City Manager, appointed by a seven-member City Council, oversees an organization of 380 full-time employees across 12 departments, working together to ensure a safe city, a healthy economy, and effective government. The City’s leadership is defined by its collaborative, accountable, flexible, and empowered culture, fostering innovation and excellence across all services and initiatives.

The City of Delaware is recognized statewide for its fiscal responsibility and organizational excellence. The City has received the Auditor of State Award with Distinction, an honor granted to fewer than 4% of public entities in Ohio, and the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Triple Crown Award for excellence in financial reporting, budgeting, and popular financial reporting. Additionally, Delaware has been named a Tree City USA for over 40 consecutive years, reflecting the City’s deep commitment to environmental stewardship.

The City organization is focused on achieving the following strategic goals:

• Strengthen Fiscal Sustainability: Evaluate new and existing funding mechanisms to maintain infrastructure and service delivery by exploring transportation impact fees, Special Assessment Districts, and the expansion of New Community Authorities.
• Grow and Diversify the Local Economy: Attract “game-changing” employers by proactively marketing available sites, aligning infrastructure capacity with site selection needs, and fostering regional partnerships.
• Collaborate for Regional Impact: Deepen coordination with Delaware County and regional entities to leverage infrastructure and advance shared GIS mapping tools. Strengthen the partnership with Ohio Wesleyan University to drive catalytic redevelopment near campus and proactively advocate at the State level to protect municipal funding.
• Foster Community Connectivity and Vibrancy: Enhance neighborhood vibrancy, build a connected network of trails and greenways, and improve transit access, reliability, and frequency.
• Solve Parking and Mobility Challenges: Improve downtown signage, parking, and policy to support current vibrancy and growth.

The Community

Located just 30 miles north of Columbus, the City of Delaware offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities. As the county seat of Delaware County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, the City is a thriving hub of history, culture, and commerce. Residents enjoy a high quality of life with a bustling historic downtown, award-winning schools, and an expanding network of trails and greenways. The City is home to Ohio Wesleyan University, a top-tier liberal arts college that enhances the community’s culture and vibrancy.

The heart of the community is its award-winning downtown, named a “Great Place in Ohio” by the American Planning Association. The historic district boasts a 94% occupancy rate and features the historic Strand Theatre, eclectic dining, craft breweries, and unique boutiques. Residents gather here for signature events like the popular “First Fridays” and the Delaware Arts Festival. Delaware is famous worldwide as the home of the Little Brown Jug, one of the most prestigious harness races in the Triple Crown, drawing tens of thousands of visitors annually. The community values its rich history and is optimistic about future growth, making it a desirable destination for families and businesses alike.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for the new Director is $117,145.60 to $152,297.60 per year based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications. For a complete overview of the City’s extensive benefits, review the detailed summary here. Highlights include membership in the Ohio Public Employee Retirement System, a variety of health plan options for employees and their dependents, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, paid leave plans (sick, vacation, personal, holiday), cell phone allowance, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and an employee wellness program.

How To Apply

Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. Review of applications will begin January 14, 2026 and early application is encouraged. Please be aware that under Ohio law, all application materials submitted for this position are considered public records immediately upon receipt and are subject to disclosure should a public records request be received by the City.

Questions

Please direct questions to Sarah Slegers at sslegers@raftelis.com and Kelsey Batt at kbatt@raftelis.com.