Maritime Division Manager (Raymondville, TX)

Willacy County Navigation District is accepting applications for a Maritime Division Manager in Raymondville, TX. 

Department:    WCND Executive Port Director Office

Job Type:        Full-time/Salaried Exempt

Salary Range: Starting Salary $60,000 to $70,000 Commensurate with Experience

Reports To:     Executive Port Director

To Apply:        Forward Resume with qualifications to rmills@portofportmansfield.com

 

Position Summary:     The Willacy County Navigation and Canal District (WCND) owns and operates the port of Port Mansfield, a 1,470-acre navigation district with an additional 3,375-acres of submerged real estate. The harbor at Port Mansfield is located 9 miles from the Gulf of Mexico on the western shoreline of the Laguna Madre.  Port Mansfield is currently classified as an emerging port.  The port was created in 1948 and the channel to the Gulf finished in 1962. Since then, the port spent about 20 years as a base for offshore supply vessels and has become predominately a recreational and commercial fishing port since the mid-1990’s.  In 2020 the Army Corp of Engineers committed $25M to dredge the navigable channel to 17 feet from the harbor to the Gulf of Mexico from its previously shoaled 6 foot or less depth.  With those developments and the TXDOT Maritime Division dedicating $5.1M for new roadways and queueing yards allowing the port to reopen as a commercial and recreational port.  The Willacy County Navigation District finds itself also managing over 800 residential leases and a local population that ranges from 300 year-round, to 1500 seasonally and over 3500 on holiday weekends.  A full-time Police department is also maintained in addition to normal port management and development duties.

The Maritime Manager will be assigned to manage a team of individuals tasked with managing and capitalizing on the assets of the WCND and Willacy County as a whole; including the port, the only paved government operated airport in the county and fostering partnerships with foreign companies that operate out of Altamira, MX and other ports south of Texas.  Your primary duties will include assistance in managing site development efforts, marketing and sales, port and airport operations, Capital Improvement planning and scheduling that will diversify the local tax base and help stimulate the economy in what is often referred to as the poorest county in the state of Texas.

The Maritime Manager reports directly to the Executive Port Director, who leads the WCND’s efforts and has primary responsibility for the overall direction and ultimately the successful performance and fiscal viability of the district.

 

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESSPONSIBILITIES:

1. Oversee airport and harbor, project manager and daily operations, budget preparation and

execution, procurement, capital planning, construction and repair of WCND assets.

2. Assist the Executive Port Director with strategic planning by implementation and execution of operations in accordance with policy plans and objectives and ensuring compliance with fiscal objectives.
3. Manage adopted capital improvement plan, contracted firms, design reviews and schedules and execute strategic initiatives for best use and development of properties including development.
4. Develop, manage, sustain, and execute the objectives of the annual budget for the industrial park, airport, marine port, general operating and capital improvement plan.
5. Manage and develop a personnel development and training plan that enhances organizational effectiveness
6. Promote and enhance cooperation and communication among departments and recommend to Executive Port Director any required changes in personnel and organizational structure
7. In the absence of the Executive Port Director and at the direction of the Executive Port Director, have certain delegated authorities in execution or interaction with Commissioners, employees, partners, tenants, etc.
8. Represent the WCND at various ED organizations as requested by the Executive Port Director.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Job candidates and employees may satisfy these requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

Minimum Requirements: Must have a minimum of 5 years of related experience, have a valid driver’s license, pass a pre-employment drug screen, and undergo a post-employment baseline physical.

Education and Experience:

• A bachelor’s or equivalent is preferred but not required, in civil engineering, structural engineering, construction management, business or public administration, or a related field; or 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in engineering, maritime operations and administrative management, marine construction or related field, including three years of maritime administrative and supervisory responsibility;
• Experience in a municipal setting or in a private company with direct project and operations experience supporting municipal or public projects including airports, marine ports, docks, site development, etc.; commitment to public accountability and transparency; experience in industry relocation and recruitment in marine industries.
• Applicants shall cite examples of leadership, communication, problem solving and organizational skills that will provide value to WCND.

Knowledge and Skills Required for the Role

• Knowledge of construction methodology, including, budgeting, scheduling, critical path method planning and value engineering;
• Professional maturity, creativity, objectivity, good judgment, and excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills; should be able to communicate persuasively and possess a record of being a team player, forming effective working relationships, and building consensus; should be self-confident, persistent, energetic, highly motivated, well organized, and time flexible;
• High level of expertise in developing, expanding and improving relationships with external organizations and stakeholders to further the mission of the WCND;
• A strong leader and skilled manager with a proven, measurable track record of success in highly regarded organizations. This individual must be able to clearly demonstrate how those organizations prospered as a result of his or her leadership and direction;
• Familiarity and successful results in acquiring and completion of federal, state and local grants.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and strong listening skills are required.

Language and Communication:

Skills: Must have the ability to create, read, analyze, interpret and communicate documents such as industry requests for information, and policy and procedure manuals; must be able to provide information, and coordinate work with coworkers through discussion, digital media and through use of telephones; must have the ability to communicate information and ideas orally and in writing, using correct grammar, so others will understand; must have the ability to prepare appropriate presentations that conform to prescribed style and format, both orally and in writing; must have the ability to respond to complex inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. A working level proficiency in Spanish speaking and reading would be helpful.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop; make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists; see details at close range; hear to comprehend and respond to conversations. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing; focus on tasks in a shared workspace with occasional audio disruptions. Employee may be required to travel long distances.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:

The Willacy County Navigation District reserves the right to make a thorough background investigation, on a post-offer basis, into a newly hired or transferred employee's past employment, state criminal history, military history, driving history, credit history, social security number verification and any other job-related activities. The arrest or conviction of a felony or other certain criminal activity may render the applicant/employee ineligible for employment. The applicant must not have any alcohol or drug related driving conviction or suspension, or revocation of driving license due to drugs or alcohol within the past three years.