Utilities Director

American Water Works Association; Grand Junction (CO); On-site; USD 190,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Grand Junction seeks an experienced Utilities Director to lead water and wastewater operations, strengthen long-term financial and capital planning, and build productive relationships across the organization and region.

The ideal candidate will combine technical knowledge with executive judgment and strong communication skills to work with employees, elected officials, regulators, and regional partners. Salary range is $190,000-$220,000 per year.

Qualifications

• Seven years of utility program management experience, including three years of supervisory responsibility.
• Bachelor’s degree 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 water and wastewater operations and capital programs.
• Develop long-term financial and capital planning.
• Build relationships with employees, elected officials, regulators, customers, and regional partners.

Skills

Leadership

Water/Wastewater expertise

Financial planning

Capital programs

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Relationship-building

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental/civil engineering or related field

Master's degree in business/public administration or related field

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.

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

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.