Karen Mancl, Professor Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, The Ohio State University
The water system manager oversees the day-to-day operation of a water system. The manager serves several roles in making sure the water system runs smoothly, stays in regulatory compliance, and meets the needs of the customers.
The manager provides leadership for the water system staff. Manager responsibilities often include:
The manager prepares the annual budget for the water system. He or she also must account for income, expenditures, loan payments, and audits. In meeting these responsibilities, the manager works with system clerk, accountant, and the system's financial committee. The manager must also control records, inventory, and investments.
The manager is often the person who communicates for the water system. This means being able to communicate at a variety of levels. He or she must share information with board members, provide timely reports to customers, and even prepare statements on the water system for the media. To do a good job, the manager must understand the information needs of different groups to provide what they need to know.
Initiating and monitoring a safety program is one of the most important jobs of a water system manager. A growing concern is water system security and this is adding to the water system manager's responsibilities. Since unexpected events can still happen even with the best oversight, the manager must make sure the system carries adequate insurance coverage.
The manager communicates with a wide range of governmental units and agencies. He or she is required to prepare reports for several government agencies and needs to keep up with proposed changes in laws and regulations. The manager is often asked to represent the water system at meetings and on committees.