Public Utilities Director

National Rural Water Association; Colorado; On-site; USD 130,000 - 176,000; Full time

Job summary

National Rural Water Association seeks a Public Utilities Director for Central City, Colorado, to oversee municipal water operations, treatment, and distribution. The role reports to the City Manager and requires strong leadership, regulatory acumen, and field experience in public utilities.

The candidate must hold a Colorado Class A Water Treatment Operator certification and Class 3 Distribution certification within six months, with prior supervisory experience and PE registration preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, public administration, business administration, or related field required.
• Minimum five years in water system operations, maintenance, or infrastructure management in municipal/public utilities.
• At least three years of supervisory experience; equivalent combinations may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all phases of municipal water operations including supply, treatment, and distribution.
• Manage budgets, contracts, projects, and contractors; review plans and specifications.
• Plan and implement capital improvements and regulatory compliance programs.
• Coordinate with residents, businesses, and regulatory agencies; provide technical reports.

Skills

Water system operations

Supervisory experience

Regulatory compliance

Budget planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Public administration or related field

Job description

Public Utilities Director

Central City, Colorado

Salary: $130,316 – $175,928

Located 38 miles west of Denver, Central City is one of Colorado's most historic mountain communities. Set high in the Rocky Mountains, the city holds designation as a National Historic Landmark District. Founded during the 1859 Pike's Peak Gold Rush and long known as "The Richest Square Mile on Earth", Central City's identity remains closely tied to its mining heritage, reflected in the preserved buildings, brick streets, cultural landmarks, and mountain setting that continue to define the community. World-class skiing at Eldora, Winter Park, and Loveland is within an hour, and Rocky Mountain National Park, the Continental Divide, and the rivers of the high country are all easily accessible.

The Public Utilities Department is responsible for Central City's municipal water system, including water supply, treatment, distribution, raw water collection and storage, infrastructure maintenance, water quality and regulatory compliance, customer services, development review, and capital planning. Sewer service for the City is provided by the Black Hawk/Central City Sanitation District. The 2026 Water Fund includes approximately $1.68 million in appropriations, including $385,000 in capital outlay. The current Department includes the Public Utilities Director and one Water Technician/Trainee position. The City is separately recruiting one Water Treatment Plant Operator I–IV position, one Water Technician/Trainee position, and one Water Department Supervisor position.

Reporting directly to the City Manager, the Public Utilities Director manages all phases of the City’s public water operations, including supply, treatment, distribution, infrastructure maintenance, regulatory compliance, and capital improvement projects. The Director supervises all Department employees, including the currently vacant Water Department Supervisor position, and is responsible for ensuring safe, efficient, reliable, and compliant potable water service. The Director establishes priorities and improvement plans; manages budgets, contracts, projects, and contractors; reviews technical plans and specifications; participates in planning and design of water system improvements; works with residents, businesses, developers, and regulatory agencies; and provides technical reports and recommendations to the City Manager and elected officials.

This is a working director role, and the successful candidate may be required to actively participate in fieldwork, treatment plant operations, emergency responses, and snow removal during water system emergencies and periods of reduced staffing. The incoming Public Utilities Director will perform duties and responsibilities as Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) for the City. The Director must therefore obtain and maintain the certification required for ORC designation throughout their tenure in this position.

Education & Experience: A bachelor's degree in civil engineering, public administration, business administration, or a related field is required, along with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in water system operations, maintenance, or infrastructure management within a municipal or public utilities environment and a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered. Candidates must possess or obtain withing six (6) months of employment, a Colorado Class A Water Treatment Operator certification and Colorado Class 3 Water Distribution Operator certification and must keep both certifications current. Registration as a Professional Engineer in Colorado, and a Class A certification are preferred.

Central City is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply by October 11, 2026.