Utilities Director

Gulfshoresal; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Grand Junction seeks an experienced Utilities Director to lead water and wastewater operations, oversee long-term capital and financial planning, and build strong relationships with staff, elected officials, customers, regulators, and regional partners.

The ideal candidate will combine deep technical utility knowledge with executive judgment, financial acumen, and strong organizational leadership to guide the City’s water and wastewater programs.

Qualifications

• Seven years of increasingly responsible utility program management experience, including three years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental engineering, civil engineering, public or business administration, or a related field.
• Other combinations of experience and education meeting the minimum requirements may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex water and wastewater operations and strengthen long-term financial and capital planning.
• Build productive relationships across the organization and the region, including employees, elected officials, customers, regulators, and regional partners.
• Provide executive leadership and guidance to ensure effective asset management and regulatory compliance.
• Communicate complex utility issues clearly to the public and governing boards.

Skills

Water/Wastewater Utilities

Executive Leadership

Capital Planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental/civil/public/business administration

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

Are you an experienced utility executive who can lead complex water and wastewater operations, strengthen long-term financial and capital planning, and build productive relationships across an organization and region? If so, apply to be the City of Grand Junction’s next Utilities Director!

We’re looking for an exceptional, collaborative leader who is:

• An experienced executive with strong knowledge of water and wastewater utilities
• Financially savvy, with expertise in enterprise utilities and major capital programs
• A skilled communicator and relationship‑builder who can work effectively with employees, elected officials, customers, regulators, and regional partners

Grand Junction is located at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers and surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs, and Colorado National Monument.

The City of Grand Junction is a home‑rule municipality operating under a Council‑Manager form of government. The Utilities Director reports to the Deputy City Manager.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced utility executive who combines sufficient technical knowledge of water and wastewater systems with strong executive judgment, financial acumen, and organizational leadership.

Required qualifications include:

• Seven years of increasingly responsible utility program management experience, including three years of administrative and supervisory responsibility.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in environmental engineering, civil engineering, public or business administration, or a related field.
• Other combinations of experience and education meeting the minimum requirements may be substituted.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Master’s degree in business, public administration, civil engineering, or a related field.
• Municipal or public‑sector water and wastewater utility leadership experience.
• Enterprise fund financial planning, forecasting, and rate‑setting experience.
• Experience leading major capital improvement programs and asset‑management initiatives.

Water supply, watershed, storage, or drought‑planning experience.

Regulatory compliance expertise.

Experience with intergovernmental agreements and regional utility partnerships.

Experience working with elected officials and governing boards.

Demonstrated success developing staff and future leaders and communicating complex utility issues to the public.

The salary range for this position is $190,000 - $220,000 per year, depending on experience and qualifications.

For more information on this position, contact:

Kevin Knutson, Senior Vice President

[e-mail]

727-754-0407