Water Engineering Manager

Manages professional engineering for the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water and wastewater conveyance and treatment systems. Provides technical expertise, mentors staff, and designs utility infrastructure to reliably meet customer and community needs. Leads a team of professional engineers in developing and delivering capital improvement projects for water and wastewater utilities.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for long-term planning of future City water and wastewater infrastructure, including evaluating the need for and economic feasibility of facility replacements, enlargements, modifications, and reinvestments.
• Reviews engineering designs for proposed development and capital construction within the City’s service area as they relate to water and wastewater utilities.
• Manages the Water and Wastewater capital improvement programs, including project development, budget preparation, consultant selection, design management, permitting, coordination with other City departments, plans and specifications, bidding, construction management, and budget oversight.
• Prepares and monitors Water Division 10-year, 5-year, and current year capital and O&M budgets for Engineering. Collaborates with the Water Utilities Division Manager and financial team to prepare and prioritize yearly 10-year water and wastewater budgets.
• Manages hydraulic models of the distribution and collection systems.
• Responds to questions and requests for information from existing and potential utility customers. Evaluates the City’s ability to provide water and wastewater service to current and future customers.
• Reviews submitted engineering designs for conformance with adopted master plans, City development regulations, and accepted industry standards and practices. Meets and confers with developers, consultants, contractors, City employees, and the general public regarding engineering and development requirements.
• Provides strategic leadership in overseeing master plans for the collection and distribution systems, water treatment plant, and water reclamation facility, converting these plans into prioritized projects that advance organizational goals.
• Oversees the development review process from a water and wastewater perspective. Ensures Division policy is administered regarding reimbursement and oversizing agreements and facilitates other developer and annexation agreements as required.
• Provides guidance and mentoring to the Water Engineering Team, strengthening their capabilities in project management, design, and construction to support long-term system performance and organizational objectives.
• Partners with other City departments to align and advance Capital Projects, ensuring coordination that supports long-term infrastructure goals and organizational priorities.
• Prepares agenda items and presentations for the Utilities Commission, Construction Advisory Board, Planning Commission, City Council, and other public meetings.
• Responsible for the City's development standards and municipal code sections that apply to water and wastewater facilities.
• Keeps current with applicable state and federal laws and guidelines and ensures compliance with EPA, state, and local environmental regulations for all water and wastewater systems.
• Advises operating departments on safe and effective operating and maintenance procedures for water and wastewater systems, including guidance during emergency repairs.
• Reviews policies and procedures and makes recommendations for changes.
• Cooperates and coordinates with surrounding water and sewer service providers to support regional partnerships.
• Interviews, hires, trains, and mentors employees; plans, assigns, and directs work; appraises performance; rewards staff and ensures accountability; addresses concerns and resolves problems involving employees.
• Manages the utility locators group and ensures proper staff training and guidance to meet regulatory needs.
• Actively serves on the Utilities Emergency Response Team and supports Emergency Operations planning, exercises, and related functions.

Other Job Functions

• Assists Water Utilities Division Manager with various water, wastewater, financial, operational, and technical activities.
• Directs department staff in design work for small construction projects as required.
• Assists with economic development-related projects.
• Responds to escalated customer concerns and ensures appropriate resolution.
• Prepares requests for proposals (RFPs), requests for qualifications (RFQs), and other contracting instruments for the prequalification and selection of pipeline contractors, water and wastewater treatment plant contractors, electrical contractors, and other specialized service providers.
• Complies with all policies, protocols, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Management Expectations

• Provides second-level supervision to professional, technical, and skilled employees to ensure accountability to department and organizational goals and objectives.
• Functions as advisor to the department, setting goals and objectives for team members to achieve operational results.
• Provides guidance, analyzes, and resolves department issues.
• Interprets policies and exercises independent judgment and decision-making within the department.
• Makes personnel decisions related to hiring, performance, or disciplinary actions.
• Champions and embodies the company's mission, vision, values, and culture.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resource Engineering, or a closely related field (required).
• Graduate degree in Civil Engineering (preferred).
• 8 years of responsible engineering experience, including design of water and wastewater systems (required).
• 3 years of experience managing operational or technical teams or equivalent experience (required). Equivalent experience may include leadership, project management, or other positions demonstrating responsibility for directing the work of others, coaching staff, coordinating resources, managing performance, or addressing conduct and conflict.
• Valid driver’s license (required).
• Current Colorado Professional Engineer license (required).

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of engineering principles used in designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining water and wastewater facilities and systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in project management, including defining clear project scope, managing budgets, tracking key milestones, and proactively mitigating risks.
• Strong ability to conduct thorough engineering research, develop clear and detailed technical reports, and provide reliable guidance on complex engineering challenges, including plan specifications and project documentation.
• Knowledge and experience in budgeting, design, administration, and construction management of water and wastewater utility infrastructure.
• Ability to manage multimillion-dollar capital improvement plan budgets with accuracy, accountability, and strategic oversight.
• Ability to effectively plan, direct, and supervise the work of subordinate engineers to ensure high-quality technical output and successful project execution.
• Demonstrated ability to interact professionally and constructively with a diverse range of individuals.
• Ability to independently solve complex problems and consistently deliver accurate, error-free work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Clear and concise communication, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to build and maintain positive customer relationships while effectively addressing and resolving customer issues with a professional, solutions-focused approach.
• Proficient in using a wide range of software tools, including project management platforms, Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and hydraulic modeling programs.

Physical Demands

• Frequent minimal physical effort typically found in clerical work. Primarily sedentary; may occasionally lift and carry light objects. Walking and/or standing as needed.
• Frequent light to moderate physical effort, including standing or walking or maintaining arms and hands in the same position for repetitive tasks. Frequently works with light objects and light hand tools.
• Occasional moderate to considerable physical effort, including working from ladders in awkward positions. Frequent use of light or medium-weight objects (e.g., 25-50 lbs) and use of medium-weight tools.

Working Conditions

• Frequent exposure to routine office noise and equipment.
• Occasional exposure to hazards typically found in general office environments with rare to no exposure to injury or accident.
• Frequent exposure to predictable or well-protected hazards.
• Occasional exposure to marginal to moderate conditions that are unpredictable and may lead to injury.
• Occasional exposure to heat and noise, including working outside in the elements.
• Occasional exposure to hazardous conditions that may lead to workplace injury, such as working at heights, exposure to fly ash, and/or energized electrical equipment.

This position may require working evenings or weekends during citywide emergencies, large water line leaks, or other emergency situations requiring critical thinking skills.

Benefits

• Two medical plans, dental, and vision coverage (for self/spouse/children).
• Dedicated, exclusive Employee Health and Wellness Center.
• Discounted Chilson Center passes.
• Paid vacation, holidays, floating holidays, and medical leave.
• Flexible spending accounts, including Dependent Care.
• Life Insurance, AD&D, Short-term and Long-term disability, and voluntary Critical Illness Coverage.
• Retirement plans: 401a, 457, Roth (pre- and post-tax) with company match.
• Comprehensive Employee Assistance Program.
• Voluntary 529 College Invest program.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Employee Referral Program.
• Personal and Professional Development opportunities.
• Employee Recognition Program.
• Exceptional work-life balance.
• Market-based pay and regular performance reviews.
• Eligibility for Public Loan Forgiveness Program.

Pay

Annual salary range: $132,699.42 – $192,414.35, with a hiring range of $132,699.42 – $162,556.88, depending on qualifications and experience.