Wastewater Superintendent

City of Sioux Falls; Sioux Falls (SD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Sioux Falls is seeking a Wastewater Superintendent to lead the Water Reclamation Division and guide capital improvements for the wastewater system. You will manage a multidisciplinary team and coordinate with engineers, lab staff, and maintenance personnel to ensure compliant, efficient treatment and reliable collection.

You’ll drive safety, culture, and continuous learning while shaping long-range infrastructure plans and budgets, balancing daily operations with strategic growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering with 8 years water/wastewater experience.
• South Dakota Class III/IV wastewater certificates desirable.
• Valid driver’s license desirable.

Responsibilities

• Direct the Water Reclamation Division’s operations, budgeting, and equipment management.
• Advise leadership on cost, staffing, and process improvements.
• Supervise staff, conduct evaluations, and enforce standards.
• Plan for growth and regulatory needs; assist capital improvements and rates.
• Prepare annual division budget and monitor expenditures.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and update ordinances as needed.
• Maintain public relations with City officials, media, and the public.
• Represent the City on boards and council meetings.
• Perform duties incidental to the position.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

People development

Change management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in science or engineering

Job description

City of Sioux Falls

Location

City of Sioux Falls, SD

Midmanagement

Job Number

202600161

Public Works

Division

10/16/2026

Closing Date

11/6/2026 at 5:00 PM Central Time (US & Canada)

As the Wastewater Superintendent, you’ll lead a multi-disciplinary team and oversee operations that are essential to Sioux Falls’ infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and future development. You’ll work closely with supervisors, operators, collection system maintenance staff, a biosolids team, engineers, lab staff, and maintenance personnel to ensure our treatment processes run efficiently and our collection system remains reliable.

This role blends:

• Leadership and People Development – build strong teams, support supervisors, and maintain a safe, positive, and inclusive culture.
• Strategic Vision – anticipate future system needs, guide capital projects, and help shape long-term infrastructure planning.
• Operational Excellence – maintain compliance, optimize processes, and ensure the community receives dependable wastewater services.
• Cross-department Collaboration – partner with Public Works leadership, Engineering, Water Purification, Finance, and many more internal and external stakeholders to deliver on shared priorities.

Who We’re Looking For

A leader who:

• Thrives in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment.
• Communicates clearly and builds trust across divisions.
• Is committed to continuous learning
• Values people as much as process and understands that culture drives success.
• Can balance daily operational decisions with strategic thinking and long-range planning.

What You Can Expect

• A strong team culture grounded in Safety, Teamwork, Innovation, Character, and Respect.
• Opportunities to lead critical infrastructure planning and capital improvements.
• Meaningful work that directly serves the community and supports economic growth.
• Support from Public Works leadership and cross-functional partners.

Water Reclamation Division operations include the following major areas: Collections (which includes: cleaning of sanitary sewer infrastructure (vactor), television inspection, pump station and force main, and construction teams), Operations (which includes plant operations and biosolids processing and handling), Maintenance (which includes maintenance of the wastewater treatment facility and pump stations), Controls and Electrical (which includes the electrical, instrumentation, and controls (EIC) for the Water Reclamation and Water Purification Facilities, and other divisions), Pretreatment and Laboratory (which includes the pretreatment for the regional customers), and Engineering (which includes design, project management and construction administration of wastewater treatment and collection system projects). Management of the stormwater drainage system includes the following major areas: cleaning of stormwater infrastructure (vactor), television inspection, sump pump collection system, and construction. Additional programs and areas that are managed include: the collection system flow metering program, air release maintenance, odor control systems, regional customer billing and communications and management of the wastewater hauler and industrial customer sampling, testing, and billing.

Job Responsibilities

• Direct the operations of the Water Reclamation Division by developing expectations, standards, and practices including budgeting, construction, maintenance, and equipment management.
• Advise Public Works leadership on divisional operations, including cost and operational analysis, staffing levels, organizational adjustments, equipment and material needs, performance standards, and divisional goals. Implement improvements to business processes and workflows.
• Supervise and develop staff, oversee daily performance, conduct performance evaluations, and recommend hiring, discharge, and disciplinary actions. Ensure employees are fully trained and compliant with department standards, city ordinances, and labor contracts.
• Anticipate and plan for future growth needs and regulatory requirements through master planning, goal setting, and objective management. Assist in preparing the capital improvement program, and develop customer rates, fees, and charges. Oversee project planning, budgets, specifications, quality control, and quality assurance.
• Prepare and submit annual division budget; ensure operations remain within budget.
• Ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, standards, and governmental agency requirements.
• Periodically review and recommend ordinance changes when necessary.
• Develop and maintain effective public relations by promptly receiving, investigating, and responding to customers, City officials, media, utility companies, and the general public.
• Represent the City of Sioux Falls on boards, planning organizations, and at City Council meetings as requested.
• Perform other such duties and functions as are necessary or incidental to the proper performance of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering plus eight (8) years’ progressively responsible experience in the water/wastewater field; or any such combination of education, experience, and training as may be acceptable to the hiring authority.

Valid unrestricted Class III or IV South Dakota Operator’s Certificate is desirable.

Valid unrestricted Class III or IV South Dakota Wastewater Collection Certificate is desirable.

Possession of a valid driver’s license is desirable.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of the processes involved in the treatment of domestic and industrial wastewater.

Knowledge of the fundamentals of physical, chemical, or biological wastewater treatment.

Knowledge in the methods and procedures for wastewater analysis.

Knowledge of hydraulics as it relates to collection, pumping, and flow of wastewater.

Knowledge of the interpretation of laboratory data and its application to process control.

Knowledge of the operation, maintenance, and servicing of equipment or systems used in a wastewater treatment facility.

Knowledge of computers and their application.

Ability to provide classroom and other instructions on the operation and maintenance of a wastewater treatment facility.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to supervise and establish and maintain effective working relationships.