Director of Operations

Clean water. Quality life.
At Eagle River Water & Sanitation District, our work matters every day. We deliver essential water and wastewater services that protect public health, safeguard the environment, and support the vitality of our mountain community.

We are hiring a Director of Operations to provide leadership and strategic vision across the District’s core operational functions—Water, Wastewater, Field Operations, and Operational Technology Services. This role brings people, systems, and priorities together to deliver safe, reliable service while advancing organizational goals.

Why work for us?
This is a chance to help shape what comes next. As Director of Operations, you’ll lead efforts to improve efficiency, optimize systems, and strengthen operational resilience—positioning the District to meet future demands with confidence. You’ll work alongside an experienced, mission-driven team to drive continuous improvement, modernize how we operate, and make a lasting impact, supported by a strong culture and excellent benefits.

THE DAY TO DAY

LEADERSHIP & PEOPLE MANAGEMENT:
Guide and develop leadership across operational departments (Water, Wastewater, Field Operations, Operational Technology Services) through manager direct reports. Establish and implement organizational goals and strategies, monitor performance metrics, ensure accountability at all levels, and champion employee development and succession planning. Work in close partnership with the General Manager and fellow Directors to align division priorities and advance organizational strategy.

VISION & STRATEGY:
Shape and communicate a clear long-term vision for operations, regulatory compliance, capital improvements, and organizational priorities. Build consensus across departments and drive cross-departmental collaboration on complex initiatives. Support the development of long-term capital planning, asset management strategies. Direct regulatory compliance roadmaps, ensuring departmental work plans emphasize accountability, engagement, safety, and fiscal responsibility.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE:
Ensure organizational readiness and resilience through emergency preparedness and cross-functional alignment. Drive optimization and efficiency initiatives across the organization, ensuring regulatory compliance, resource allocation, and priority setting are coordinated at the organizational level. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by providing teams with the support, tools, and guidance necessary to succeed.

REGULATORY COMPLIANCE:
Direct the District’s compliance strategy with all federal, state, and local requirements for drinking water, wastewater, distribution, and collection systems (Regulations 11, 31, 100, etc.). Develop and execute readiness strategies for operational coordination with CDPHE officials during sanitary surveys, compliance inspections, and certification processes. Collaborate with Managers and fellow Directors to integrate regulatory requirements into planning, operations, and capital projects, balancing finances, risk, and system resilience.

REPORTING:
Oversee development and preparation of monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc reports for the General Manager and Boards of Directors, ensuring key metrics and performance are clearly communicated. Provide regulatory reporting and documentation required by state and federal agencies, coordinating with managers to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. Develop memos and presentations that translate technical and regulatory information into strategic insight.

PROJECT & CONTRACT MANAGEMENT:
Provide operational input into project delivery by supporting the development of long-term master plans and capital improvement programs. Partner with directors to prioritize investments, align resources with organizational goals, and ensure all engagements support sustainable, cost-effective outcomes.

FISCAL STEWARDSHIP:
Lead development of the Operations Division operations and maintenance (O&M), and capital replacement budgets with a focus on robust maintenance programs, resiliency, and organizational priorities. Align divisional long-term capital needs that address regulatory requirements, risk, and aging infrastructure with the strategic financial plan. Work with Directors to align annual budgets with strategic initiatives, balancing near-term needs with organizational vision. Ensure fiscal accountability through disciplined resource allocation and transparent reporting.

SAFETY & EMERGENCY RESPONSE:
Champion a culture of emergency preparedness, safety and resilience across all divisions. Advance emergency preparedness programs by defining strategy, vision, and clear organizational expectations, ensuring accountability for consistent implementation. Direct organizational readiness and coordinated incident response, confirming systems, resources, and leadership are aligned for both resilience and timely response and corrective action.

OUTREACH:
Lead public and employee outreach efforts including updates on financing strategies, regulations, construction, water quality, and operations; represent the District at events and incorporate best practices into daily operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education, experience, and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be: 

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a scientific field related to water quality management, such as biology, microbiology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, environmental science, water management, construction management, or related disciplines.
• Experience: Ten (10) years of technical experience related to water and/or wastewater; water utility experience highly preferred.
• Leadership: Eight (8) years of progressively responsible managerial experience which demonstrates extensive knowledge of modern management practices and methods in the water and wastewater industry. Experience directly supervising large teams, with at least 3 years of experience supervising indirect reports.
• Demonstrated experience leading process improvement and operational efficiency efforts to optimize workflows, resource use, and service reliability in a water or wastewater environment.
• Must possess a valid Colorado Driver's license within 30 days of full-time employment and be insurable under the District's standards.
• Must obtain CPR/First Aid Certification within the first six (6) months of employment. 

SALARY RANGE

The pay range for this role is $168,792 - $253,198. Starting range depends on qualifications but generally falls within the minimum and midpoint of the pay range.

BENEFITS

At ERWSD, we value life-work balance and are leaders in the industry with our holistic benefits package, which includes but is not limited to:  

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Employee housing or $592 monthly housing stipend 
• 13.5 paid holidays + generous PTO
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness program & recreation benefit ($800/year)
• 457 & 414h retirement plans (we are social security exempt)
• Tuition reimbursement & professional development budget
• Ski pass, EV, and tech loan programs
• Relocation assistance (if applicable)
• Click here to view our full 2026 Benefits Guide.

All District employees must possess a valid Colorado Driver License and submit to a pre-employment drug screen, extensive background check including an educational verification, and reference check. For a full position description including work environment and physical demands, email erwsdjobs@erwsd.org. All applicants must apply online at www.erwsd.org by 2.22.2026.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer  

We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors.