Water Resources Manager (83345)

Here in the Town of Erie, as staff and residents of a headwaters state, we understand the critical importance of managing our water resources. As a growing municipality, we are working proactively to ensure our residents have a safe community, clean drinking water and that our lakes and local rivers remain are in focus so we can support a healthy local ecosystem and vibrant community. To support this vital, long-term work, we are searching for our first-ever Water Resources Manager to join our Utilities Department. About the Role This position serves as a member of the Utilities Department leadership team and is responsible for developing the strategy for the Water Resources Division, engaging in broad local, regional and with state-wide workgroups, ditch companies and large water supply projects while managing a professional and accountable workgroup focused on continuous improvement and the effective, efficient delivery of services to the public and internal customers. Who We Are Looking For As the Water Resources Manager, you will provide leadership and oversee the Water Resources Division, including the accounting, planning, and development of the Town's source water system, as well as the use, protection, and expansion of the Town's water rights portfolio. We are looking for someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in Colorado and western water issues, particularly with North Front Range specific water rights and challenges and administration of Colorado Big Thompson (CBT) operations. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to think proactively and bring innovative solutions to complex issues and projects. The Town is one of the fastest growing communities in the country, along rapidly shifting water resources challenges and projects which create a fast-paced and challenging day to day work environment. If you enjoy tackling challenges with a fun and hard-working team while planning for the future, this is the place for you! To learn more about our Town and our water sources and plans, please click here.Full-Time, Salary Hiring rates are dependent upon experience. 2026 Anticipated Hiring Salary Range $129,381/year - $155,258/year 2026 Full Salary Range $129,381/year - $181,134/year Anticipated Work Schedule: Full-time (Monday-Friday shifts) 40 hours per week with some nights and weekends as needed. The schedule may vary depending on specific division needs, or council meetings.Work Location: Erie Town Hall (645 Holbrook St, Erie, CO 80516) This position is eligible to work remotely up to two (2) days per week dependent upon successful completion of the probationary period and supervisor approval.Posting Dates: 3/23/26 -4/12/26 **Please ensure your application is submitted and complete prior to 11:59pm on 4/12/2026 to be considered. All incomplete applications will be withdrawn from the process. Accommodations To review the full job description(s), including a full list of duties and physical & environmental factors, visit our Job Description page here. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact Risk Management and Recruitment at and . Duties And Responsibilities: Essential Duties Leads and manages the Water Resources Division Manages Town's water rights portfolio Manages the use, operation and accounting of the Town's water rights and water supplies. Ensures compliance with all associated water rights decrees and contracts. Develops the overall strategy and direction for the division, with an emphasis on providing acceptable reliability under projected water supply and water demand scenarios. Creates and supports a culture of continuous improvement. Monitors the implementation and impact of those efforts. May attend Town Council meetings upon request. Develops and implements division policies and procedures. Makes recommendations on department and organizational policies and procedures and ensures implementation within the division. Collaborates with staff across the Utilities Department; Public Works, Planning & Building; Parks, Recreation & Open Space; and other Town departments to develop and meet department and organizational objectives. Manages Town reservoirs, pipelines, ditches, and other infrastructure in coordination with Water and Wastewater Division, Operations and Maintenance Division (O&M), and engineering staff. Coordinates with water and wastewater treatment division on source supply selection to support efficient and effective treatment. Coordinates with water and wastewater treatment staff and engineering staff on projects and actions to optimize reservoir health and water quality. Works in partnership with Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Water Quality Control Division, State of Colorado Engineers Offices, and State Water Commissioners. Supports engineering staff in identification of project needs, design, and oversight of capital projects for source water facilities. Attends shareholder meetings and participates in other ditch and reservoir company activities to represent the Town's interests. Attends stakeholder meetings related to water rights, water quality and quantity, significant water supply and delivery projects as well as Town manages infrastructure and planning projects as needed. May serve as a board member or officer of boards, including responsibility to protect the interests of the company and shareholders. Manages and supervises Water Resources Division employees in accordance with Town policies and procedures Supports utility rate and fee studies and provides details to Directors and staff. Keeps Director informed of progress, emerging issues, and resource needs. Administrative Duties Manages contract and services provided by the Town's water rights counsel including oversight of water court litigation and development and implementation of legal strategy. Determines Town involvement with water court, including those as applicant or objector. Manages contract and services provided by the Town's water rights engineering consultant, may serve as an expert witness in water court proceedings. Represents the Town in interactions with other water providers and stakeholders. Responds to resident, staff, and Town Council's inquiries concerning Water Resources. Collaborates with the Colorado Division of Water Resources on daily water rights administration. Ensures timely and accurate water rights measurement, recording, and accounting in accordance with state requirements. Coordinates with water and wastewater treatment division, and Water Counsel to maximize yield of Town portfolio through strategic use of rights and effective management of risks. Monitors availability of water rights for sale and makes recommendations for acquisition of new rights. Develops drought strategies, monitors water supply conditions and leads drought response efforts. Develops and administers the Town's water rights dedication policies. Manages consultants and attorneys retained by companies. May review land development proposals on behalf of companies or the Town. Executes the work of the division directly and through team members. Communicates work plans and goals, monitors and reviews work to ensure quality, determines resource needs, and provides feedback. Fiscal & Management Responsibilities: Develops budget recommendations supported by data and analysis. Monitors division expenditures and budget. Verifies accuracy of financial documents including invoices, contracts, purchase orders, and payroll documents. Ensures division compliance with Town financial policies. Develops recommendations for division vehicle and equipment purchases. Develops and manages requests for proposals, competitive bid processes, and contracts. Develops, monitors, and assesses division data, objectives, metrics, and measures including: Develops division objectives and success metrics. Determines division priorities in coordination with the Utilities leadership team. Administers software systems, spreadsheets, and databases to track and analyze data. Prepares reports, plans, strategies, and business cases based on data. Provides technical guidance, direction, and training. for division. Develops and review on an ongoing basis the skill and training requirements for division staff. Analyzes work practices and procedures. Implements training programs and quality control practices. Maintains knowledge of regulations, standards, and industry best practices. Ensures compliance with applicable regulations. Collaborates with other divisions, departments, and agencies to share and leverage technical expertise. Provides recommendations to the Engineering Division on specifications, projects, regulations, and procedures. Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers Supports provision of safe and reliable infrastructure and services. Communicates effectively and professionally with the public. Represents the Town during difficult situations such as water outages, sewer backups, floods, winter storms, and fires. Keeps department and communications department staff apprised of potential customer service and communications concerns. Serves as an escalation point for division staff on difficult customer service issues. Involves employees in decision making processes , and seeks employee ideas. Oversees recruiting, selection, onboarding, and retention of division staff. Ensures employee policy compliance and performance, including overseeing performance reviews, corrective actions, and discipline. Ensures a high level of service to internal customers, including but not limited to emergency response, communication, and event support. Takes proper safety precautions, anticipates unsafe conditions, acts accordingly to prevent accidents, including: Responsible for the safety of self, others, materials, equipment, and the public. Uses all required safety equipment. Fosters a positive safety culture for the division and department. Identifies training needs and implements division training program. Investigates accidents and injuries. Collaborates with Risk Manager to analyze incidents and implement measures to avoid future accidents and injuries. May serve as Acting Utilities Director in the Director's absence. Other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, Natural Resource Management, or a related field. At least five years of relevant experience accounting, administering, operating, planning, and maintaining water supply facilities and resources. At least three years of supervisory or management experience. Experience in managing budgets and developing budget proposals. Experience in hydrology, western water rights and the doctrine of prior appropriations. Experience managing water rights portfolios. A combination of education and experience may be considered. Certificates/Licenses/Registrations Valid Driver's License and satisfactory driving record.Desired Qualifications: Licensure as a Colorado Professional Engineer (P.E.) or ability to obtain through reciprocity. Experience with the South Platte River, Boulder Creek, Colorado River and Cache Le Poudre River Basins. Experience analyzing water portfolios and developing strategies for operations, drought management, and climate adaptation. Experience preparing expert reports and serving as an expert witness in water court. Experience with water rights modeling and accounting. Experience with field operations, construction, and project management. Experience managing source water quality including demonstrated ability to coordinate effectively with water treatment operations. Experience with water reuse and reclaimed water systems. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deal tactfully and effectively with the public. Proven ability to lead, manage and organize work teams. Demonstrated ability to establish and achieve goals. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deal tactfully and effectively with the public. Proven ability to lead, manage and organize work teams. Demonstrated ability to establish and achieve goals. Demonstrated ability and initiative to work independently with minimal supervision. Knowledge of safety issues related to source water operations and maintenance activities. Ability to respond to emergency situations in and outside of normal work hours. Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities. Pre-employment screenings include: Interview process Reference checks Background checks to include: National and County Criminal Scan, Sex-Offender Registry check and Motor Vehicle Report through DMV Town of Erie Benefits: The Town of Erie offers a comprehensive benefit package and pays a major portion of the employee premium to make these benefits more affordable for you. Coverage of these benefits begin the 1st of the month following date of hire for benefited employees regularly working an average of 30 hours per week. Each year you will have the option of changing your elections through open enrollment. Click here to learn more. Designated full time employees are eligible for the following benefits: Robust Medical, Dental and Vision plans including spouse, domestic partner and family coverage options Supplemental Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity Plans Employer paid Basic Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) Employer paid Short and Long Term Disability Voluntary Supplemental Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D) Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) reimbursement up to $750 per year for numerous health/wellness purchases Employer paid Employee Assistance Program Robust Extended Sick Leave (ESL) and family sick leave program 48 hours of Colorado Sick Leave preloaded on the 1st of every year; pro-rated at time of hire 3 ½ Weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO) per year (increases with years of service) 40 hours of pre-loaded Paid Time Off (PTO) to each new employee upon hire Fifteen (15) Paid Holidays Twenty-Four (24) Hours of Paid Volunteer Leave Up to 12 weeks of paid Parental Leave for bonding with a new child Option to "sell back" PTO after two years of continuous employment 457 Retirement Plan, with a 5% employer match and immediate 100% vesting in your deferral AND employer contributions Education reimbursement up to $3,000 per year Individual free membership to the Erie Community Center and steep discounts on couple or family memberships Employer sponsored wellness program, including employee-based fitness classes Childcare benefits which includes 10% discount to any KinderCare location in Colorado Half-off charging at town-owned EV charging stations Pet Insurance Employee Discount Program through Benefits Hub Eligible for discount Dell Computer program Onsite/virtual trainings for growth and development opportunities We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)-qualified employer! EEOC Statement: The Town is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition or privilege of employment. Applicants, employees and former employees are protected from employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability and genetic information (including family medical history), veteran status, marital status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment or discrimination based on any of these protected classes. Unlawful harassment includes verbal or physical conduct, which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or creating a severe, intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment. This provision applies to all employees, including directors, supervisors, co-workers, and non-employees such as residents, members of all boards and task force groups, contractors, vendors, consultants, etc.

Created: 2026-04-15