Senior Water Quality Manager

Metro Water Recovery; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro Water Recovery is seeking a Senior Water Quality Manager to lead our Water Quality division and advance environmental monitoring, regulatory initiatives, and scientific research in Colorado. The role combines technical leadership with strategic direction to protect water resources in the South Platte watershed.

Reporting to the Director of Environmental Services, you will guide data interpretation, regulatory proposals, and staff development while collaborating across the organization to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental sciences, or related science discipline.

Responsibilities

• Oversee water quality research activities to support sound scientific policy decisions.
• Lead regulatory analysis and coordinate with external stakeholders on proposals.
• Direct, schedule, and evaluate work of water quality staff; provide training.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology or environmental sciences

Tools

South Platte Water Quality Model

MS Office

Job description

Lead the science. Shape water quality policy. Protect Colorado's water resources.

Metro is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking Senior Water Quality Manager to lead our Water Quality team and advance critical environmental monitoring, research, and regulatory initiatives.

This position offers a unique opportunity to influence water quality policy, guide complex scientific investigations, and lead a team of environmental professionals whose work supports the protection of the South Platte River watershed and surrounding aquatic ecosystems.

Reporting to the Director of Environmental Services, the Senior Water Quality Manager will provide technical and strategic leadership in water quality assessment, aquatic biology, environmental monitoring, regulatory analysis, and scientific research.

The ideal candidate combines strong scientific expertise with effective people leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to translate complex environmental information into actionable recommendations.

What Success Looks Like:

In this role, you will help ensure that Metro's environmental programs produce credible, decision-ready science; regulatory positions are supported by sound technical analysis; and Water Quality staff have the direction, resources, and development opportunities necessary to succeed. You will effectively communicate and translate complex scientific findings, water quality issues, and regulatory requirement into clear, meaningful, and actionable information for audiences with varying levels of technical understanding.

You will be a trusted scientific advisor, a collaborative partner across the organization, and a leader who balances environmental stewardship, regulatory obligations, and operational realities.

Help lead the science and decisions that shape the future of water quality in Colorado.

Position Overview:

Plans, leads, directs, and oversees all core work, programs, and project-based activities related to the Water Quality division. Performs professional-level regulatory, technical, and administrative activities in the day-to-day implementation of operations. Provides technical expertise concerning water quality, aquatic life, and other environmental issues. Works under the direction of the Director of Environmental Services. Supervises Water Quality Staff.

1. Oversees Metro’s water quality research activities to ensure such activities support the development of sound scientific water quality policy decisions. Manages contracts and budgets associated with the South Platte Water Quality Model and other related water quality and aquatic life issues.
2. Manages the evaluation of data and information pertaining to water quality and other environmental issues and applicable regulatory standards. Interprets their significance for Metro, recommends Metro action, and develops data to pursue the action. Coordinates with External Affairs staff to develop regulatory proposals for consideration by the Water Quality Control Commission. Assist other departments to implement action when needed.
3. Represents Metro on several issues including emerging contaminants (organic wastewater contaminants and endocrine disrupters), nutrient criteria, biological criteria, aquatic life use classifications and other issues of critical importance to Metro. Participates in Water Quality Forum workgroups on issues related to water quality and aquatic life
4. Direct, schedule, support, and evaluate the work of water quality staff in accordance with Metro policies and procedures. Provide ongoing training and opportunities to nurture the knowledge, skills, and abilities of staff.
5. Provide support and perform activities as necessary for the Water Quality team. May perform job duties of subordinate positions as needed to support workload and as required during staff vacancies or short-term absences.
6. Perform focus area leadership and project management duties related to Water Quality initiatives and programs, including work planning, process and procedural development, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
7. Manages Water Quality staff to ensure Metro’s Water Quality and Environmental Assessment programs, such as the South Platte River Stream Monitoring and Groundwater Assessment Program, South Platte CURE Monitoring Program, and the Barr/Milton Reservoir Watershed Monitoring Program are appropriate and meet the needs of Metro.
8. Communicates and provides scientific expertise to national and local governmental agencies, trade associations, scientific and technical research organizations, and consulting firms regarding environmental analyses and assessment, evaluation or monitoring, and water quality matters.
9. Evaluates water and environmental quality significance of internal and external information on stream monitoring, wastewater treatment, and solids processing and recycling activities.
10. Develop, as needed, in-house environmental expertise to increase Metro’s ability to credibly perform environmental analysis evaluating Metro’s impacts and benefits on the environment.
11. Researches and evaluates available product alternatives and ensures acquisition of supplies and equipment used in water and environmental monitoring and assessment.
12. Participates in preparing annual budget and five-year programming relating to water quality, and environmental monitoring and assessment.
13. Stay informed of all applicable local, state, and federal regulations and guidance governing waste discharges as well as monitoring and reporting requirements.
14. Stay informed of Regulatory Compliance services and Metro’s priorities, policies, practices, and training.
15. Responsible for maintaining and promoting a safe working environment. Ensure employees complete all required training on time, maintain compliance with organizational requirements, and follow all safety protocols. Ensures employees maintain required certifications.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Expert knowledge in lentic and/or lotic aquatic systems and how to scientific studies that support treatment operations and regulatory frameworks
• Knowledge of groundwater monitoring and movement
• General knowledge of terrestrial environments around aquatic systems.
• Expert Knowledge in collection, management, and analysis of scientific data.
• General knowledge in water quality modeling
• Expert-level knowledge of Federal, State and Local, water quality regulations, policies, and permits
• Expert-level knowledge of aquatic biology
• Knowledge of conventional and advanced municipal wastewater treatment processes, industrial wastewater treatment processes and compliance monitoring. Conceptual and detailed design, general operations and regulatory compliance requirements and strategies.
• Leadership and Project Management principles
• General office processes and procedures
• MS Office software

Skilled at:

• Leveraging diverse modes of communication to optimize the effective exchange of ideas and information?
• Environmental monitoring and assessment
• Understanding and interpreting environmental regulations
• Project management including work planning, resource allocation and progress reviews through project completion
• Working in spreadsheets, word processing, statistical software, and databases to create shared reports?
• Applying mathematical and data analysis and statistical principles??
• Critical thinking and analytical problem solving?
• Reading and understanding complex information, such as regulatory and technical documents?
• Utilizing technology to seek and share resources and information?
• Adjust to rapidly changing priorities?
• Active and empathic listening skills?
• Written and verbal communication?
• Managing disagreements, de‑escalating conflicts and negotiating win-win solutions
• Training and mentoring staff

Ability to:

• Follow both written and verbal directions?
• Becoming familiar with new information rapidly and adjust?
• Communicate complicated data and knowledge in a way that is understandable to others with no or limited understanding of water quality and aquatic life
• Follow, develop, and improve standard operating procedures?
• Effectively work in a regulatory and stakeholder environment?
• Learn and work within Metro processes and procedures and when necessary, develop and review processes and procedures?
• Meet deadlines?
• Wear personal protection equipment and follow safety rules?
• Work outside of normal business hours and normal business days to assist with studies, unusual observation responses, investigations, and other environmental incidents as assigned?
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with people of varying backgrounds, knowledge, and experience?
• Perform effectively in a collaborative team environment?
• Continuously improving work processes and performance
• Maintain emotional control under ambiguous and stressful circumstances?
• Align group goals to Metro’s values and mission?
• Comprehend Federal and Colorado environmental rulemaking and policy development processes and their relationship to Metro’s environmental compliance programs
• Effective methods for coordinating multidisciplinary technical review of proposed regulations, policies, and guidance
• Public sector budgeting, forecasting, and fiscal accountability.
• Legally and safely operate a Metro vehicle, including during periods of inclement weather.
• Direct, persuade, and motivate others
• Identify problems, craft effective solutions, act decisively and demonstrate good judgement
• Implement and enforce policies and procedures fairly and consistently
• Effectively supervise staff

Education, Licenses, and Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental sciences, or related science discipline from an accredited college or university. A valid driver’s license. A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu degree.

Typical Work Environment

Variety of floor surfaces including concrete, gravel, asphalt, dirt, tile, loose stones, uneven surfaces, slippery surfaces, and wet surfaces; Inside environment; Outside environment all year in all weather conditions and temperatures; Chemicals; Lighting conditions including natural light, fluorescent, head lamps, incandescent, and low light; Vibration; Moving equipment; Work with plant and water organisms/fish; Electrofishing in rivers

Body Position Demands

Standing; Walking; Climbing stairs; Climbing ladders; Reaching forward and overhead; Balancing; Object handling; Simple hand/ Firm hand grasping; Operating controls; Sitting; Stooping; Kneeling; Crouching; Typing; Fine hand coordination

Physical Demands

(max forces are expected to be infrequent)
Max Weight Lifted: 92 lbs
Max Weight Carried: 92 lbs
Max Force Pushed: 115 lbs
Max Force Pulled: 115 lbs

Sensory Requirements

Wide field of view; Vision - near and far; Depth perception; Color discrimination; Perception - spatial and form; Feeling with fingers; Speaking