Description

System Overview:

The Passaic Valley Water Commission (PVWC) is one of the largest and oldest water agencies in the Northeast. They are a public drinking water supplier owned by the cities of Paterson, Clifton, and Passaic, and their 250 employees supply high quality water to nearly 800,000 people across four counties in northern New Jersey. PVWC has developed a rich history of service and innovation since its incorporation in 1931.

PVWC has approximately 77,000 metered accounts. They own and operate the 80 MGD Little Falls Water Treatment Plant, three finished water reservoirs with a combined storage capacity of 125 MG, and a 120 MGD pump station. Their system also includes over 650 miles of pipe ranging in size from 4 to 51 inches in diameter, five dams, 3,000 fire hydrants, a complete meter repair and testing department, two maintenance yards and warehouses, and a corporate office. PVWC has replaced more than 26,000 utility-owned lead service lines since the 1980’s, and most of their 6,500 customer-owned lead lines have been replaced.

PVWC is dedicated to the communities it serves. They know how important it is to provide their customers with high-quality drinking water, reliability, and service. They have been serving the citizens of Northeast New Jersey since 1931 and strive to maintain a strong relationship with their communities. 

Opportunity:

The Executive Director’s primary responsibility is to ensure the delivery of safe, clean drinking water. This will be accomplished by a strong and fair leader and communicator who balances the operational, technical, and managerial responsibilities of this position. The ED will accomplish their goals through proactive
operations management, applying progressive human resources practices, employing qualified team members, Executive Director practicing sound financial management, and effective planning. This person will enhance and maintain strong communication systems with PVWC’s seven Commissioners, their customers, the communities they serve, and state and federal regulatory agencies. They will be the public face and key representative for PVWC, so they will regularly communicate with their customers, the media, and other agencies.

This person will inherit a financially stable agency with an excellent bond rating that already has a rate increase approved to fund current and upcoming infrastructure projects. The ED will use their business and technical acumen to manage an $880m capital budget addressing an aging infrastructure system that covers a large geography. Significant programs include constructing storage tanks to replace open water reservoirs, transmission and water main upgrades, lead service line replacements, and a digital transformation. They have already started the necessary planning for PFAS compliance, which will require an additional capital plan.

The ED's team includes supervisors for Engineering, Operations, Water Quality, Finance, Information Technology, Customer Service, and Organizational Development and Human Resources. This person will evaluate and recommend appropriate changes to their organizational structure to ensure it is prepared to accomplish PVWC’s goals to continue to provide safe water in an efficient and costeffective manner. This person will set and lead a corporate culture of transparency where all employees feel valued, respected, and treated fairly. The ED will have the leadership skills necessary to create a positive work environment that will bring people together in their mission to treat and supply water. This person will work with their team to ensure that policies and manuals promote safety, equality, and opportunity.

For additional information please contact Peter McManus, Managing Partner,
The Giddings Group, pmcmanus@giddingsgroup.com, (847)518-8893.