Water/Wastewater Construction and Maintenance Manager

Water/Wastewater Construction and Maintenance Manager

Colorado Springs Utilities is seeking an experienced operations leader to manage the Water/Wastewater Construction and Maintenance Section within the Utility Construction and Maintenance Department. This role leads the safe, reliable, and cost-effective construction, repair, and maintenance of the water distribution and wastewater collection systems that serve our community.

As a member of the department leadership team, the manager partners with fellow managers, the General Manager, and executive leaders to guide operations and planning. The role oversees employees, budgets, work management, equipment readiness, and daily operations while fostering accountability, employee development, and excellent customer service.
 

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Direct programs for capital construction, operations and maintenance, cathodic protection, water and wastewater inspections and quality control, restoration services, field equipment, and gravel production.
• Lead construction, repair, and maintenance of water and wastewater assets, including mains, service lines, hydrants, manholes, lift stations, and related infrastructure.
• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with safety, environmental, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
• Align staffing, priorities, budgets, equipment, and resources to maintain readiness and deliver timely, reliable, and cost-effective service.
• Improve work management processes, maintenance strategies, procedures, and performance measures to maximize resource use and asset performance.
• Set clear expectations and manage performance through coaching, feedback, development, recognition, and accountability.
• Strengthen workforce capability through succession planning, cross-training, knowledge transfer, targeted employee development, and oversight of the Water Pipefitter Apprenticeship.
• Negotiate and administer contracts and monitor contractor quality, schedules, costs, safety, compliance, and overall performance.
• Deliver excellent service and build productive relationships with internal teams, city departments, contractors, developers, vendors, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Use data and technology to improve planning, processes, productivity, decision-making, and customer outcomes.

Operational Requirements

• The section operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. The manager must be available to resolve operational issues and respond to utility emergencies, including during inclement weather.
• A valid, unrestricted driver’s license is required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated years of progressively responsible leadership experience in operations, construction, maintenance, or a related field. (i.e., typically five or more years)
• Proven ability to think strategically, build trust, set priorities, reconcile competing viewpoints, and deliver measurable results.
• Experience managing employees, budgets, contracts, work programs, equipment, or other complex operational resources.
• Experience developing employees and managing performance through coaching, feedback, training, and accountability.
• Sound judgment, change-management skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to core values, safety, compliance, operational excellence, and accountable leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, project management, business, construction management, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Leadership experience in water distribution, wastewater collection, utility construction, infrastructure maintenance, or a comparable utility environment.
• Experience overseeing major construction or maintenance programs, negotiating contracts, improving processes, or modernizing operations through technology.
• Experience working with government agencies, public officials, contractors, developers, community partners, or the public.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (1/3 of the time), and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, or pull objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary only if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other criteria are met.

• Positions in this class typically require reaching, standing, walking, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. 

   

To learn more about the classification of the Water/Wastewater Construction and Maintenance Manager,  click here to go to the job library.