Water Utility Operations Superintendent Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Water Distribution Superintendent

Location: Lakewood, CO

Compensation: $97,000 – $121,500 Base Salary (Exempt)

Status: Exempt, Salaried

Company Overview

Our client is a well-established water utility serving a large residential and commercial customer base throughout the greater Denver metropolitan area. This leadership position plays a critical role in maintaining the reliability, safety, and performance of the organization's water distribution infrastructure while leading multiple field operations teams responsible for preventative maintenance, emergency response, and capital improvement initiatives.

Position Summary

The Water Distribution Superintendent is responsible for leading the daily operations, maintenance, and reliability of the water distribution system. This individual will oversee multiple supervisors and field crews while planning work activities, prioritizing infrastructure improvements, monitoring regulatory compliance, and ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the distribution network.

This role serves as a key operational leader responsible for balancing field leadership with strategic planning, budgeting, asset management, and personnel development.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop multiple supervisors, operators, technicians, and contractors responsible for water distribution operations.
• Plan, prioritize, and coordinate daily maintenance activities, preventative maintenance programs, emergency repairs, and capital improvement projects.
• Oversee inspections of water distribution infrastructure, equipment, pump stations, hydrants, valves, pipelines, and related assets to ensure system reliability and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor operational performance, maintenance activities, budgets, and department metrics while identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Evaluate infrastructure conditions and assist in prioritizing asset replacement and long-term capital improvement planning.
• Review operational reports, maintenance summaries, regulatory documentation, and system performance data to support informed decision-making.
• Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, contractors, regulatory agencies, and executive leadership regarding infrastructure projects and operational priorities.
• Lead emergency response efforts involving water main failures, equipment breakdowns, weather events, and other distribution system emergencies.
• Foster a strong safety culture by coaching employees, conducting performance evaluations, and ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain effective communication with internal departments, contractors, government agencies, customers, and other external stakeholders.
• Stay current on industry regulations, technologies, and best practices to improve operational performance and employee development.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience within water distribution, utility operations, or closely related infrastructure environments.
• Previous leadership experience managing supervisors, field personnel, or multiple operational teams.
• Strong knowledge of water distribution systems, maintenance practices, construction methods, underground utilities, pumps, valves, hydrants, and related infrastructure.
• Experience planning maintenance activities, allocating resources, budgeting, and managing capital improvement projects.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, technical documents, and operational reports.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, communication, and leadership skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Water Utility Management, or a related discipline preferred (equivalent experience considered).
• State Water Distribution Operator certification (or ability to obtain reciprocal certification) preferred.

Preferred Experience

• Water utility maintenance and reliability leadership.
• Infrastructure asset management and lifecycle planning.
• Preventative maintenance programs.
• Pump station operations and maintenance.
• Capital improvement project coordination.
• Regulatory compliance and emergency response.
• Contractor management.
• Budget planning and resource allocation.
• Utility safety programs and employee development.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Pension Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life & Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Paid Vacation & Sick Time
• Paid Holidays
• Professional Development & Training
• Wellness Program

Additional Information

• Full-time, exempt leadership position based onsite in Lakewood, CO.
• Primarily onsite with a combination of office leadership and field oversight.
• Rotating on-call responsibility requires candidates to reside within approximately one hour of the service territory to respond to operational emergencies.
• Opportunity to lead a highly visible maintenance and reliability organization while driving infrastructure improvements, employee development, and long-term operational excellence.