ACOM DIRECTOR WATERWAYS COMMISSION

Position Summary

The ACOM Director of the Waterways Commission is responsible for the overall operation of the agency and is governed by state laws and agency policy. The Arkansas Waterways Commission is the sole authority tasked with developing, promoting and protecting waterborne transportation in Arkansas. The Waterways Commission also promotes economic development for ports and intermodal authorities on the five commercially navigable rivers of the state: The Arkansas, Mississippi, Ouachita, Red, and White Rivers.

Preferred Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or a related field; plus, five years of experience in navigation, waterways operation, water infrastructure engineering, transportation, or related field, including one year in a managerial or supervisory. Knowledge of state and federal laws governing commercial waterways transportation operations. Knowledge of the infrastructure of navigation channels.

Job Responsibilities and Expected Results

Administrative - General 1. Directs, oversees, and monitors the agency’s overall operations including program priorities and changes in laws or regulation. 2. Serves as the agency’s fiscal officer by preparing annual operations plans, annual and biennial budgets, and fiscal year end reporting. 3. Monitors and ensures agency fiscal accountability and assists with legislative audits of the agency. 4. Serves as the agency’s liaison for determining and recommending staff, contract bids, and material and equipment needs. 5. Supervises subordinates including interviewing, hiring, training, evaluating performance, and terminating personnel. 6. Develops and recommends new and revised legislation, policies, and procedures. 7. Coordinates business development through relationships with ports, intermodal authorities, terminals, and navigation industry throughout Arkansas. 8. Initiates ongoing dialog and negotiations with federal government interests in accomplishing Commission goals Advises and consults with United States Coast Guard commanders on enforcement jurisdiction of all Arkansas federally managed rivers. 9. Prepares and presents testimony and official comment before federal and state commissions and committees including the Mississippi River Commission and Arkansas General Assembly committees on transportation, economic development and budget. 10.  Administers port improvement projects and monitors construction of roads, bridges, pipelines, and other infrastructure projects for compliance with priority river navigation. 11. Advises railroads, pipeline, and bridge contractors on river navigation priorities. 12. Examines, evaluates and provides official comment on state and federal construction projects requiring permitting under federal Clean Water Act. 13. Responds to media inquiries and initiates media coverage.

Commission 1. Assures that Commission responsibilities defined by statute, rules and policies are carried out. 2. Coordinates activities related to meeting of the Commission, including arrangements for regular and special meetings and public hearings, development of agendas, preparation and dissemination of materials, and notifications of actions of the Commission to appropriate persons or agencies. 3. Interviews, employs, directs and supervises professional and support staff personnel, and administers State personnel policies. 4. Administers activities related to financial affairs of the Commission, including preparation and administration of the budget, the implementation of State policies in disbursements, payroll and purchasing. 5. Interprets water transportation-related laws, Commission rules and regulations, and represents the Commission at various State and National Meetings. 6. Delegates to the professional staff as warranted in the directing and conducting of the activities of accounting, education and discipline. 7. Oversees implementation of legislative mandates. 8. Determines staffing needs, organizes the office to carry out functions defined by statute, rules and Commission policies. 9. Hires and evaluates staff and invokes disciplinary measures when warranted. 10. Assures orientation of new staff and Commission members. 11. Manages the finances, including preparation of the budget and long-range forecasting of needs, and ensures reporting of the financial status at Commission meetings. 12. Participates with the Commission in formulating the strategic plan, assures the implementation of the strategic plan and reports accomplishments at Commission meetings. 13. Assures that policies, procedures