Utilities Superintendent

Utilities Superintendent

The City of Golden is currently seeking Utilities Superintendent applicants. Come and see why the City of Golden is the place you want to be! Being a Golden employee is more than just a job, it's a lifestyle. Golden is a vibrant outdoor community making it a great place to live, work and play.

Location, location, location – Work near great restaurants and shops, hit the trails, and enjoy the outdoor scenery of Clear Creek and the foothills. Convenient commuting from all directions.

Paid time off – Paid vacation starts at 16 days (that's over 3 weeks!), plus 12 days of sick time and 12 paid holidays each year.

Great benefits – The City matches up to 8% of your retirement contributions, plus offers a full-spectrum of benefits and perks, including tuition reimbursement!

Golden's water and wastewater systems are essential to the community's public health, environmental quality, and quality of life. The City of Golden is seeking a Utilities Superintendent to lead the crews, programs, and projects that keep these systems operating safely and reliably. This position serves as Operator in Responsible Charge for the City's water distribution and wastewater collection systems and plays a central role in regulatory compliance, emergency response, preventive maintenance, and capital infrastructure replacement.

This is an opportunity to step into a visible and meaningful leadership role in one of Colorado's most distinctive communities. The Utilities Superintendent will help shape the future of Golden's utility operations by developing staff, strengthening safety and accountability, coordinating infrastructure projects, supporting budgets, and ensuring high-quality service to residents and businesses. We are looking for a technically strong, people-oriented leader who values public service, operational excellence, and long-term stewardship of critical infrastructure.

This position provides leadership and management of the City of Golden's Utilities Division, including oversight of water distribution and wastewater collection system operations, regulatory compliance as Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC), and development and management of capital improvement programs. Ensures reliable service delivery, infrastructure stewardship, workforce performance, and protection of public health and environmental quality.

Job Summary

Serves as the Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) for the City of Golden's public water distribution system and wastewater collection system in accordance with applicable CDPHE regulations, including Regulation 100. Holds operational authority and accountability for regulatory compliance, system integrity, and public health protection. Responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of all components of the City's water distribution and wastewater collection systems, including water mains, hydrants, valves, meters, pump stations, storage tanks, reservoirs, the raw water supply system (including the Vidler Collection System, reservoirs, and headgates), sewer mains, manholes, and related appurtenances. Leads and enforces compliance with City safety policies and applicable requirements. Promotes a strong safety culture within the Utilities Division, ensures staff participation in required training, oversees incident reporting and investigation, and implements corrective actions as necessary. Develops and directs the Utilities Division work plan; assigns and prioritizes work activities, projects, and programs; monitors workflow and productivity; and evaluates work methods and outcomes to ensure efficiency, regulatory compliance, and service reliability. Develops, prioritizes, and manages the Utilities Department Capital Replacement Program in alignment with the City's Capital Improvement Program. Oversees assigned capital projects, including contractor coordination, construction oversight, schedule monitoring, budget tracking within delegated authority, and project documentation in accordance with City policies. Manages preventive maintenance programs and monitors progress against annual goals; provides regular reports to the Public Works Director or Deputy Director. Maintains work order and asset tracking databases. Coordinates response to customer complaints and service inquiries related to water main breaks, sewer backups, water pressure, and other service issues. Submits claims requests and recommendations to the Risk Manager for review and payment. Participates in division budget preparation and administration; forecasts funding needs for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; submits justification for budget requests; and monitors and administers the approved budget. Supervises maintenance of time, material, and equipment usage records. Purchases needed materials, supplies, equipment, and services in accordance with City policies. Provides leadership and operational direction during off-hours emergencies, including water main breaks, sewer backups, service interruptions, and other critical events. Ensures timely response, coordination with appropriate agencies, and actions necessary to protect public health, environmental compliance, and system reliability. Builds and sustains a high-performing team through coaching, mentoring, and professional development of both new and experienced staff. Establishes performance expectations, supports certification advancement, and fosters accountability and collaboration within the Utilities Division and with other operational divisions during special events, emergency response, and coordinated operational activities. Directly supervises employees in the Utilities Department, including Utilities Supervisors, Water Resources Specialist, Cross Connection Coordinator, and Locator. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

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, skill, and/or ability required.

High School Diploma or GED required. Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school preferred. A minimum of 5 years of increasingly responsible experience in utilities or related experience including 2 years in a lead, administrative, or supervisory capacity; or equivalent combination of education and experience required. Bachelor's degree (B.A) from four-year College or university with major course work in a related field preferred. Knowledge of drinking water and wastewater regulations. Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience managing public infrastructure construction or capital improvement projects, including contractor coordination, project management, schedule management, and cost control.

Valid driver's license with good driving record.

State of Colorado Water Distribution System Level IV Certification required.

Wastewater Collection System Level IV Certification required.

Holds a PWM certification from the American Public Works Association or has the ability to obtain within 18 months of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical periodicals and procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to prepare, analyze, and manage annual budget. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Ability to provide support for engineering and environmental services. Working knowledge of Excel, Word and Outlook. Knowledge of Cartegraph software a plus. Ability to operate equipment and tools, including backhoe, front end loader, jet truck, rodder, tapping machine, compressor, tamper, hand and power tools in order to assist and train crews a plus. Formal training in project management principles, or project management credentials is required.

Computer, fax, printer, telephone, various software packages. Occasional use of Backhoe, front end loader, hand and power tools, jet truck, rodder, compressor, tamper, if experienced and necessary.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often in an office environment. Occasional outside exposure to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.