Chief Operating Officer

This is  a non-merit position. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.  Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list. 

Chief Operating Officer

About Us: 

The Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) is a public agency dedicated to ensuring safe, reliable, and reasonably priced utility services for Iowans. Through effective regulation and policy oversight, the IUC supports economic growth, energy innovation, and consumer protection across the state. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and collaboration as we navigate complex utility challenges that impact communities throughout Iowa.

As a member of our executive leadership team, you’ll help shape the operational and strategic direction of the agency, empowering staff and driving initiatives that advance our public service mission.

What You’ll Do:
As Chief Operating Officer, you will lead the daily internal operations of the IUC, providing executive leadership and oversight of administrative, technical, and strategic functions across the agency. In partnership with the Commission Chair and Commission members, you’ll ensure that IUC programs and initiatives are executed effectively, efficiently, and in alignment with the Commission’s regulatory goals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Directing internal operations and coordinating daily work across bureaus and staff
  Overseeing performance management, project execution, and strategic plan implementation
  Supervising bureau chiefs and ensuring timely completion of work products, including Commission orders, rules, and reports
• Managing agency-level HR matters such as staffing, employee development, and workplace culture
• Ensuring compliance with state personnel rules, collective bargaining agreements, civil rights laws, and equity initiatives
• Performing special projects and duties as assigned by the Commission
• Creating an effective communication environment within the agency to ensure that staff are consistently kept up to date via a structured, transparent, and inclusive approach.

This position is authorized under Iowa Code 474.1 and serves as a key adviser to the Commission on operational and organizational matters.

Who We’re Looking For: 

You are an experienced and strategic leader with a strong background in organizational management, public administration, or regulatory affairs. You thrive on leading people with diverse skillsets, seeing the big picture, and ensuring high standards of performance and accountability.

Your Competencies:

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Proven experience leading operations or programs in a multi-faceted organization
• Strong understanding of government operations, human resources, and project oversight
• Ability to navigate administrative, financial, and personnel systems with integrity and transparency
• Commitment to public service and continuous improvement

We Value You:
At the State of Iowa, we are committed to your well-being. As a valued team member, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave with no limits on sick leave accrual.
• Great Benefits: Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Retirement Plan: IPERS retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexibility: Flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care).
• Life Insurance: Free life insurance.
• Support: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Discount Programs.

To learn more about the benefits of working with the State of Iowa, visit our benefits webpage.

Why Join Us:

At the Iowa Utilities Commission, your work matters. You’ll be joining a mission-driven organization where your leadership and insight will directly impact Iowa’s energy and utility landscape. We foster an inclusive, innovative, and collaborative culture where your ideas are valued and your expertise makes a difference.

Don’t miss this chance to shape the energy future of Iowa — review the job qualifications and apply now!

We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply and bring their unique perspectives to our team. The Iowa Utilities Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

564 Government Regulation and Accountability:
 Applicant should demonstrate a minimum of 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the area of managing state or federal governmental regulations and implementing accountability provisions.

AND

567 Experience Interpreting Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Code:
Applicant should demonstrate a minimum of 6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the area of developing and interpreting Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Code. 

AND

720 Policy Development:
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both in the development of written documents that will create policies, standards, and procedures.

AND

980 Strategic Planning:
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both. Generally, an administrative position (mid to upper level of the management team) is assigned this as one function of their overall job. However, there are some specialists who deal only in strategic planning. Some colleges and universities may now carry this as a major or area of emphasis as part of their business administration or public policy programs. For experience to count, the applicant must have had the responsibility either for coordinating or developing the organization's strategic plan. Sometimes an administrative assistanttype is responsible for a lower level of coordination, i.e., distributing information to managers, collecting what they develop, and putting it into one document; that is not what is sought here. This has to be experience to the point that the individual knows the following:

• What a good strategic plan looks like 
• How to prepare a plan
• How to monitor progress and ancillary planning
• How to speak knowledgably for the organization about the plan

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Operations Research, Computer Science, Statistics, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and/or Electrical Engineering, Business Management, Education, Public Relations, Journalism or Mass Communications, and six years of fulltime complex analytical experience in the above disciplines which include at least one year of experience in developing and directing programs, projects or policy development;

Incumbents in many of these positions will be required to travel and stay out overnight. Incumbents will be required to make arrangements on their own regarding transportation to and from assigned work areas. Some out of state travel may be required as assigned by the agency of employment. Selected positions may require incumbents to provide their own means of transportation in order to conduct state business.