Position Title:                Corporate Secretary

Reports to:                    WSSC Water, Board of Commissioners

Location:                       Laurel, MD

The Company:              Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission

Introduction:

The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water) is a governmental agency created by the State of Maryland that serves the residents of Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, Maryland. Established in 1918, WSSC Water is currently one of the nation’s largest water and wastewater utilities with a network of nearly 6,000 miles of fresh water pipeline and over 5,500 miles of sewer pipeline.

WSSC Water provides the highest level and quality of service to its approximately 1.8 million residents. Currently, WSSC Water manages approximately 475,000 customer accounts. 

WSSC Water’s mission is to provide safe and reliable water, life’s most precious resource, and return clean water to the environment, all in an ethical, sustainable, and financially responsible manner.

WSSC Water is governed by a six-member Board of Commissioners (“Commission”). Commissioners are appointed to four-year terms by the County Executive of either Montgomery or Prince George’s County and are subject to confirmation by the County Council of the county from which they are appointed. Each county appoints three Commissioners. WSSC Water is managed by the Commission’s General Manager.

In addition to promulgating and enforcing the plumbing code for the jurisdiction, WSSC Water operates and maintains three reservoirs, two water filtration plants, and six water resource recovery facilities. WSSC Water also has a cost sharing agreement with DC Water to handle and treat as much as 65% of the Commission’s wastewater annually.

WSSC Water is currently seeking to recruit a Corporate Secretary for the Commission, to be hired and appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The Corporate Secretary is an executive level position reporting directly to the WSSC Water Commissioners. This Corporate Secretary is a position prescribed by statute and specified in the laws governing WSSC Water.

WSSC Water’s Values and Strategic Priorities:

To achieve WSSC Water’s goals in support of its mission, all employees commit and continuously practice and demonstrate the following work values:

Values:

• Accountability - We are responsible employees who are accountable and take our actions seriously.
• Transparency - We conduct ourselves with integrity and transparency.
• Excellence - We achieve the highest level of quality, safety and productivity, demonstrating excellence and innovation in providing world-class service to everyone.
• Environmental Stewardship - We continuously enhance and protect natural resources and the environment for the health of future generations.
• Cost Effectiveness - We balance cost and benefit in our daily actions to achieve optimal value for our customers.

Strategic Priorities:

• Enhance Customer Experience and Community Engagement - Deliver an excellent customer experience and enhance community engagement through proactive communication, strategic partnerships, and providing exceptional products and services.
• Improve Infrastructure - Plan, invest in and renew our infrastructure to provide future generations with a sustainable system, through innovative, cost-effective technology and world-class asset management.    
• Achieve Business Process Excellence and Maintain Financial Stability - Achieve financial stability through an improved rate structure and improved business processes that drive performance and obtain cost-effective business outcomes.    
• Protect our People, Infrastructure, Systems and Resources - Protect our community, employees and business through safe practices, mission-oriented security, proactive planning, emergency preparedness, and effective risk management and resilience strategies.
• Inspire Employee Engagement - Inspire and motivate employees by making WSSC Water a great place to work, thrive and serve.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Corporate Secretary is responsible for planning, directing and coordinating the efficient disposition of all matters related to the business activities and functions of the Commissioners’ Office.  This individual also directs and supervises the administrative support of the Commissioners’ Office and is responsible for record keeping as directed by statute and by WSSC Water’s governing documents.

In addition, the Corporate Secretary is expected to:

• Manage the daily operation of all matters related to the conduct of business in the Commissioners' Office;
• Keep Commissioners abreast of all important, substantive, sensitive and other critical information needed for them to carry out their duties as Commissioners;
• Ensure that Commissioners have access and are briefed on all information relating to subjects and matters under consideration or that are going to be under consideration;
• Facilitate compliance with all rules and regulations from Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, Maryland.
• Facilitate compliance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act by: notifying the public about Commission meetings; ensuring that meetings, with certain exceptions, are held in public; and by creating, preserving, and making available meeting minutes and recordings of meetings in accordance with the Act’s requirements;
• Ensure that the records of the Commission Office and Commissioners are maintained as required by law and made available when required by authorized persons;
• Propose policies and practices of effective governance to the Commissioners;
• Draft and oversee the publication of Commission meeting agendas;
• Attend and record Commission meetings and serve as the Parliamentarian (whether meetings are in person, by telephone, or teleconference);
• Preside over and draft decisions from administrative hearings for ratepayer refund requests for refunds of $25,000.00 or less;
• Issue corporate resolutions;
• Maintain confidential documents and other official records of the Commission Office;
• Manage, handle, respond appropriately to official correspondence for the Commissioners;
• Serve as the Commission’s registered agent;
• Initiate and/or follow-up on research and special studies as needed and directed by the Commissioners;
• Maintain the corporate seal for use on official corporate documents;
• Develop, review, and, with the approval of the Commissioners, submit the Commission Office budget for inclusion and approval with WSSC Water Water annual operating budget; and
• Manage the Commission’s approved budget and provide oversight and guidance when spending is inconsistent with budgeted spending;

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Consult with WSSC Water’s General Counsel on various issues relative to business in the Commissioners' Office;
• Attend meetings (in a non-voting capacity) on behalf of Commissioners and reports back on meeting outcomes;
• Act as a liaison and representative for the WSSC Water Commissioners.
• Oversee office purchases, travel related items, subscriptions, and contracting for specialized goods and services;
• Maintain the Governance Handbook for the Commission and makes recommendations for revisions as needed;
• Maintain court service log;
• Supervise direct report(s);
• Hire, train, assign and evaluate work of all direct reports;
• Counsel, mentor, and discipline direct reports as appropriate and in compliance with all WSSC Water Human Resources policies and practices with proper record keeping and documentation;
• Represent WSSC Water before industry and related professional groups, public agencies, the private sector, and the general public as required; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proven research and analytical skills;
• Excellent (effective, clear and concise) oral, written and presentation skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Proven leadership skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and efficiently;
• Prepare comprehensive and succinct reports and briefings;
• Present oral and written briefings and reports to the Commissioners;
• Ability to create and maintain a collaborative work environment.
• Strong results-oriented leader capable of listening carefully and responding appropriately and with sound judgment.
• Executive presence that displays unwavering personal integrity and ethical conduct.
• Strong core value system.
• Good listening and facilitation skills – ability to build relationships and consensus.
• Strategic thinker/planner.
• Leader capable of delegating responsibility.
• Fiscally responsible and resourceful manager.
• Ability to maintain a confidential flow of communication when necessary and appropriate prior to any decisions or recommendations being made by the Commission;
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with Commission employees at all levels as well as with private citizens and organization/agency/government representatives outside of the Commission staff;
• Knowledge of laws, ethics policies and regulations which may affect the Commission and its operations;
• Ability to use standard office technology and associated applications.

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, accounting, or a directly related field is required as well as a law degree from a law school approved and recognized by the American Bar Association. A minimum of at least five (5) years of progressively responsible corporate governance experience working with legal and regulatory requirements in an executive capacity is required. Experience working with a Board of Directors, Commission, City/County Council, legislative body or other governing body and prior experience as a Corporate Secretary, Board Secretary, Council Administrator or similar position is highly desirable.

Requirements:

Completion of the WSSC Water Financial Disclosure statement within 30 days of employment and annually thereafter.

To Apply:

To obtain further information or to apply for the position, please contact Gregg A. Moser at Krauthamer & Associates, gmoser@kapartners.com.