Utilities Director

Salary: $140,000.00 - $164,600.69 Annually
Location : Public Works, Montrose, CO
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Utilities
Opening Date: 10/01/2026
FLSA: Determined by Position

Basic Purpose of the Job:
Under general direction, manages and coordinates activities of the City's three utility divisions (Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, and Wastewater Treatment) including the installation, maintenance, repair, expansion, and/or relocation of water distribution, sewage collection, and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Manages and coordinates activities of the wastewater treatment plant to treat, process, and dispose of wastewater, bio solids, and related waste material. Provides oversight and guidance to utility team leaders to effectively organize, plan and direct daily and long term work crew activities in each division. With the assistance of the utility team leaders, prepares budget and master plans for future needs of the community. Ensures compliance with all applicable state and federal regulations, and with all City safety standards. Responds to citizen inquiries related to any of the three utility divisions in an appropriate, professional and timely manner. Requires a strong understanding of hydraulic principles, budget management, and personnel management.

Essential Functions:
(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)

• Manage utility operations and oversee the installation and repair of water and sewer infrastructure, wastewater treatment plant operations and oversee the industrial pretreatment program, the treatment, processing, and disposal of wastewater, biosolids, and related waste material.
• Ensure City of Montrose compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and requirements for the proper operation of systems related to water distribution, sewer collection and wastewater treatment.
• Identify and address problems associated with maintaining existing and installing new utility infrastructure by consulting plan specifications and conferring with various consultants, engineers and vendors.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures, goals, objectives and annual budget for the three utility divisions (Water Distribution, Sewer Collection, and Wastewater Treatment).
• Analyze trends of the area being served, such as population and industrial growth, usage demands or other impacts to the system to determine adequacy of current facilities and to forecast future facility needs. Develop utility maintenance and capital improvement master plans to serve the expanding community needs.
• Evaluate new developments in materials, tools, equipment, and processes. Implement and manage change among utility divisions to reduce operating costs, and to provide for more efficient and effective service delivery.
• Respond to customer inquiries and complaints and work to resolve concerns in a professional, timely and positive manner. Communicate with customers in a proactive fashion regarding utility outages and service interruptions to mitigate the negative impact resulting from these issues.
• Ensure that records, reports, etc. for regulatory agencies regarding plans and operations are properly prepared, submitted, and maintained in accordance with standards to ensure City compliance at all times.
• Department Head Additional Essential Functions.
  • Business Acumen: Understand business implications of decisions, demonstrate knowledge of market and aligns work with strategic goals.
  • Change Management: Communicate change effectively, prepare and support those affected by change, monitor transition and evaluates results.
  • Communications: Express ideas and thoughts orally and in writing. Exhibit good listening & comprehension; select & use appropriate communication methods.
  • Managing Customer Focus: Establish, promote, and monitor customer service standards to assure the best outcomes.
• Supervision
  • Feedback: Establish goals and expectations for workers. Write and conduct employee evaluations.
  • Staffing: Ensure position descriptions are accurate and assist in interviewing and selecting candidates appropriate to the work.
  • Scheduling: Ensure schedules are set to get the work done in accordance with HR guidelines.
  • Training: Assure implementation of job specific training to ensure employee success.

Job Requirements:

• Two (2) or four (4) year college degree in engineering or related field from an accredited college preferred.
• Eight (8) to ten (10) years related experience.
• The City will consider an appropriate combination of education, training and experience that results in comparable knowledge and skills.
• This position is subject to non-standard working hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Extensive knowledge of equipment used in the operations of the division.
• Knowledge and skill in wastewater treatment plant operation and project management.

Licensures & Certificates:

• OCPO Class IV Water Distribution certification. (must obtain by two years of hire)
• OCPO Class IV Sanitary Sewer Collection certification. (must obtain by two years of hire)
• OCPO Class A Wastewater Treatment operators certification. (must obtain by two years of hire)
• Current Colorado driver's license with acceptable record.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
Must possess ability to attend meetings at various sites within and away from the City with some evening and/or weekend hours required; strength to lift and carry materials up to 20 pounds; vision to read printed materials and operate a computer screen and prepare written reports and documents; and hearing and speech to communicate with employees and the public; frequent speech communication, hearing and listening to maintain communications with employees and citizens. Works primarily in clean, comfortable office environment, visits work sites with varying terrain and hazardous conditions and in all types of weather; subject to many interruptions and pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. Requires driving and walking during inclement weather. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold and extreme heat. The employee is occasionally exposed to vibration, or to work high above ground level. The noise level in the work environment is frequently loud.

The City of Montrose is committed to compensating employees fairly and equitably. The talent and contributions of employees are crucial to enhancing the quality of life for all who live in, work for, or visit the City of Montrose. In addition to their paychecks, the following benefits represent a significant contribution toward their total compensation.
Medical Insurance: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) medical plan, administered by UMR. This is a high deductible health plan. You will receive the maximum benefits under the plan and pay a smaller amount out of your pocket when you seek medical treatment from a United Healthcare Choice Plus network provider.
Dental Insurance: Coverage is offered through UMR to provide dental and orthodontic care. In addition, our dental plan has no network which allows you to see any dentist you prefer.
Vision Insurance: Coverage is offered through VSP for assistance with contacts, glasses, or other vision needs.
Health Savings Account: A savings account that is tax-free and interest-bearing that you can use to pay for qualified medical expenses like doctor visits, prescriptions, and emergency room bills. The City of Montrose provides an employer contribution at the beginning of the year.
Life and AD&D Insurance: City-paid policies provide security for you and your family. Additional voluntary plans are available to supplement City-paid plans for employees and their dependents.
Retirement Plan: A defined contribution investment program for non-sworn employees. The City will contribute 8% of your gross base wages. Sworn Police Officers are enrolled in a defined benefit investment program through FPPA.
Paid Holidays: The following holidays are observed by the majority of City Offices.
Martin Luther King Jr . Day
President's Day
Memorial Day

Juneteenth
Independence Day
Labor Day
Indigenous People's Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year's Day
Paid Vacation and Sick Leave: Employees are credited with vacation time each pay period that may be used after the first three (3) months of employment. Employees begin earning/utilizing sick leave immediately.
Employee Assistance Program: Coverage is through Triad. Triad offers brief, solution-focused counseling for employees, their spouses or significant others, and their dependents under 26. The counseling is free and completely confidential.
Black Canyon Golf Membership for City Employees: Free employee golf membership and 20% Rusty Putter and Pro Shop discount.
MRD Community Recreation Center Membership: Deeply discounted membership for employees and their dependents.