Amanda M. James, MPA

Amanda M. James, MPA, is a municipal water treatment professional and public servant serving as Water Treatment Plant Superintendent for the City of Rocky Mount Water Resources Department. With 28 and a half years of public service with the City of Rocky Mount, she oversees water treatment operations, including treatment processes, process control, and optimization efforts, with a focus on ensuring the community has access to safe, high-quality drinking water. Prior to becoming Water Treatment Plant Superintendent in May 2026, James served for seven years as Water Quality Superintendent, where she was responsible for regulatory compliance and laboratory operations. She began her career with the City of Rocky Mount as a laboratory technician after earning her undergraduate degree.

James combines a technical foundation in animal science with advanced education in public administration. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences from North Carolina State University in 1998 and later returned to school to pursue a Master of Public Administration from East Carolina University, which she completed in 2018. Her interdisciplinary background enables her to approach municipal water management from both a scientific and administrative perspective, supporting her work in water quality, regulatory compliance, laboratory oversight, operational management, and public service. She has also earned the Pretreatment Specialist II certification through the NC Pretreatment Program Certification Board and completed Being an Effective Team Member through LinkedIn.

Throughout her career, James has demonstrated a commitment to public service, operational excellence, and ethical leadership. Her professional philosophy is grounded in hard work, persistence, determination, and integrity, while her leadership approach reflects a desire to show others—particularly her children—that dedication and perseverance can create meaningful opportunities for success. As a woman in municipal water treatment leadership, she encourages the next generation to set high standards, pursue education, remain persistent, and seek opportunities even when the path forward is not immediately apparent. Her nearly three decades of service with the City of Rocky Mount reflect a sustained commitment to the community and to the essential work of providing reliable, high-quality water services.