Description

Charlotte’s local government, with more than 9,000 employees and a total budget of $3.65 billion budget, works hard to ensure that the community will be a winning city for everyone – a truly remarkable place to live, work, learn and play.

 Charlotte Water is an enterprise department of the City of Charlotte and one of the largest public water and sewer service providers in the southeast with  over 330,000 customer accounts and over 1100 employees. Our service area includes the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County and the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mint Hill, Matthews and Pineville. Charlotte Water’s FY 26 budget is $651 million and a five-year capital program of $2.2.28 billion.  We enjoy the highest credit ratings from Moody’s and S&P Global as a result of sound financial planning and management and strong support from our City Council.  We value competent, skilled candidates with a customer service focus to work in a team environment.

Salary: The salary for this position is: $131,716.80 - $146,351.99, Commensurate with Experience

Position Summary

The Utilities Risk and Resiliency Officer is responsible for leading Charlotte Water’s (CLTW) safety, security, and emergency preparedness programs to ensure the protection of facilities, staff, and the community. As CLTW’s champion for workplace safety and risk mitigation, the Utilities Risk and Resiliency Officer oversees a comprehensive workplace safety program and its innovative physical security and emergency preparedness frameworks.  This position is responsible for the development, oversight, and administration of programmatic policies; directing incident response and investigation; management of strategic partnerships with local, state, and federal safety, law enforcement, and emergency management agencies; and supervision of a professional Risk and Resiliency team. As a member of the Charlotte Water Leadership Team, the Utilities Risk and Resiliency Officer play a critical role in ensuring organizational resilience, workplace safety, operational risk mitigation, and compliance across all operational areas.

 
Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Program Management

Directs, develops, implements, and administers CLTW’s Risk and Resiliency programs, policies, and procedures.
Provides supervision and oversight of the Safety, Physical Security, and Emergency Preparedness teams, including internal professional staff and a contracted force of armed and unarmed security resources.
As a divisional manager, serves as a member of CLTW’s Leadership Team and as a senior advisor on safety, physical security, and emergency preparedness matters.
Serves as CLTW’s chairperson for the Safety & Risk Mitigation Committee and consistently organizes meetings with the committee for review and analysis of risk management issues.
Provides leadership to CLTW’s Incident Command Team and advises the designated Incident Commander during Department Operations Center activations.
Conducts research on relevant OSHA, DOT, EPA and risk management practices and regulations; determines which regulations affect CLTW Risk and Resiliency functions; develops policies and procedures to comply with regulations or to limit liability; and audits safety and risk management policies and programs to ensure successful outcomes.
Maintains appropriate records and prepares reports, as requested, for Executive Team review.

Physical Security & Emergency Preparedness

Leads departmental incident and emergency response activities, including 24/7 security system monitoring and high-level investigations.
Oversees the development, review, and maintenance of security compliance programs and emergency plans, including more than two dozen water and wastewater-specific plans.
Supports site security for existing facilities, construction projects, and future planned sites (access control, fencing, locks, gates, etc.).
Collaborates with Information & Technology on security-related initiatives, including SCADA/industrial control systems and the CLTW drone program.
Serves in consultative role, driving innovation in physical security and emergency preparedness functions
Partnerships & Liaison Role

Serves as departmental liaison with the City of Charlotte’s Risk Management Office
Serves as CLTW’s primary liaison with Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Emergency Management Office (CMEMO). Alongside CLTW’s Chief Technology Officer, shares cyber incident management and communication liaison responsibilities with the City of Charlotte Chief Information Security Officer (cybersecurity).
Acts as Field Liaison Officer for the NC Information Sharing & Analysis Center (state law enforcement Fusion Center).
Represents CLTW with NC WaterWARN, NC State Emergency Response Team, and other industry, federal, and state partners (FEMA-CISA, US Secret Service, FBI, US EPA).
Builds and maintains relationships with federal, state, and local safety, security, and emergency management agencies and industry peers.
 

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Seven (7) years of professional experience in safety, physical security, emergency management, and/or preparedness program development, preferably in the public sector.
Three (3) years of progressively responsible supervisory experience.
Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
Completion (or ability to complete within required timeframe) of FEMA NIMS ICS courses: 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800.
 
Preferred Qualifications

Professional certifications such as Certified Emergency Manager (CEM), Physical Security Professional (PSP), or Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
Strong knowledge of utility operations, City of Charlotte organizational structure, and public sector processes.
Advanced knowledge of workplace safety, industrial hygiene, incident command systems, emergency management, and physical security best practices.
 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills.
Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to build effective relationships.
Budgeting, Capital Planning, and Fiscal Management skills
Proficiency in industry-related software including Microsoft Office Suite, Genetec, WebEOC, Everbridge, SharePoint, Workday, Munis, and Ebuilder.
 
 

Work Environment

This position provides 24/7 response support and requires availability for after-hours incidents and emergencies. Work involves collaboration across field, office, laboratory, and plant environments, as well as at remote and community sites.