The City of Lafayette is seeking an experienced water professional to lead the Public Works Department’s Water Resources Division. The Water Resources Manager is a new a position that will support an increased focus on source water supply to meet the community’s current and future needs. The Water Resources Division is responsible for both the long-term strategic planning of the City’s water supply and the day-to-day operations, maintenance, and water rights administration required to deliver source water for treatment and delivery to the community. The Water Resources Manager leads a team that includes field operations, a part-time water rights accountant, outside water counsel, and a water rights engineering consultant.
 
The City of Lafayette’s relatively small size offers the opportunity for the manager to be actively involved in all aspects of water resources while working with a portfolio that ranges from some of the oldest water rights on Boulder Creek to investments in new supply projects including the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), Windy Gap Firming, Gross Reservoir Expansion, and expansion of the City’s own Goose Haven Reservoir Complex. The City is actively working to expand its capacity to maintain reliability in the face of climate change and growth including drought planning, water conservation, and development of reuse capabilities.
 
Lafayette is a thriving, diverse community of approximately 30,000 residents, encompassing 9.54 square miles at the foothills of the Rockies. Lafayette is located at the southeastern edge of Boulder County, allowing for easy access to Boulder, Denver, Denver International Airport, and the Rocky Mountains. Our community enjoys robust services and amenities, including the Great Outdoors Water Park, an award-winning skate park, the Hale Irwin designed Indian Peaks Golf Course, a senior center, The Collective Community Arts Center, Art on the Street public art program, exciting and diverse events like Art Night Out and the Lafayette Peach Festival, Waneka Lake park and boathouse, 20 community parks, 1,465 acres of open space, 20 miles of trails, Lafayette Public Library, NRPA Gold Medal Award-winning Bob L. Burger Recreation Center, and a vibrant downtown. Lafayette has appeared on numerous national lists of top places to live and raise a family, including #31 on Money Magazine’s 2022 list of the 50 Best Places to Live.

The hiring rate ranges from $125,000 - $165,000 depending on qualifications.

Additionally, the City provides a comprehensive and generous benefits package:

• 100% City-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance (up to $25,740 annually for family coverage)
• 401A Retirement Plan (10.2% City, 8% Employee, immediately 100% vested upon hire)
• Life Insurance (one year’s salary up to $150,000. AD&D coverage in equal amount)
• 100% City-paid Short-term and Long-term Disability coverage
• Tuition Assistance (up to $5,000 per year for approved expenses)
• Generous Paid Leave (accrual rates are based on years of experience and qualifications)
• Flexible Work Schedules (actual schedule will depend on job responsibilities)
• Employee Assistance Program (free counseling, travel assistance, legal aid, etc.)
• Bilingual Pay

 Additional Benefits

• Deferred Compensation and Roth Retirement Savings Options
• Voluntary Life Insurance/AD&D
• Identity Theft Program
• City/Employee Voluntarily Funded Hardship Fund
• Recreation Center Pass
• Wellness Punch Card (100 punches per year to use at golf course, waterpark, etc.)

General Summary

Under general direction of the Public Works Director, the Water Resources Manager will provide leadership and manage the Public Works Water Resources Division including the planning, operation, and maintenance of the City’s source water system, and the use, protection, and expansion of the City’s water rights portfolio. This position functions as a member of the Public Works Department leadership team and is responsible for developing the strategy for the Water Resources Division and managing a professional and accountable workgroup focused on continuous improvement and effective and efficient service to the public and internal customers.

Essential Functions

The following duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive:

1. Leads and manages the Water Resources Division, including:

• 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.
• Develops and implements division policies and procedures. Makes recommendations on department and organizational policies and procedures and ensures implementation within division.
• Collaborates with staff across the Public Works Department; Planning & Building; Parks, Recreation & Open Space; and other City departments to develop and meet department and organizational objectives. 
• Keeps Director informed of progress, emerging issues, and resource needs.

2. Manages City reservoirs, pipelines, ditches, and other infrastructure in coordination with water treatment division and engineering staff including:

• Coordinates with water treatment division on source supply selection to support efficient and effective treatment.
• Monitors reservoir water quality. Coordinates with water treatment division and engineering staff on projects and actions to optimize reservoir health and water quality.
• Supports engineering staff in identification of project needs, design and oversight of capital projects for source water facilities. 

 3. Manages City’s water rights portfolio, including:

• Manages the use, operation and accounting of the City’s water rights and water supplies. Ensures compliance with all associated water rights decrees and contracts. 
• Manages contract and services provided by the City’s water rights counsel including oversight of water court litigation and development and implementation of legal strategy. Makes determination for City involvement with water court, including those as applicant or objector. 
• Manages contract and services provided by the City’s water rights engineering consultant, may serve as an expert witness in water court proceedings.
• Represents the City in interactions with other water providers and stakeholders.
• 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 rights engineer, water treatment division, and accountant to maximize yield of City 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 City’s water rights dedication policies.

 4. Represents the City as shareholder in mutual ditch and reservoir companies, including:

• Attends shareholder meetings and participates in other ditch and reservoir company activities to represent the City’s interests.
• May serve as a board member or officer of boards, including responsibility to protect the interests of the company and shareholders.
• Manages consultants and attorneys retained by companies.
• Manages company finances including assessments, taxes, and accounting.
• May review land development proposals on behalf of companies or the City.

5. Manages and supervises Water Resources Division employees in accordance with City policies and procedures, including:

• 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, provides feedback. 
• Involves employees in decision making processes, 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.

6. Performs and manages administrative functions of the Water Resources Division including:

• 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 City financial policies.
• Develops recommendations for vehicle and equipment purchases.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals, competitive bid processes, and contracts.

7. Develops, monitors, and assesses division data, objectives, metrics, and measures including:

• Develops division objectives and success metrics.
• Determines division priorities in coordination with Public Works leadership team.
• Administers software systems, spreadsheets, and databases to track and analyze data.
• Prepares reports, plans, strategies, and business cases based on data.

8. Provides technical guidance, direction and training for division including:

• 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 Engineering Division on specifications, projects, regulations, and procedures. 

9. Provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers, including:

• Supports provision of safe and reliable Public Works infrastructure and services.
• Communicates effectively and professionally with the public. Represents the City 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.  
• Ensures a high level of service to internal customers, including but not limited to fleet management, emergency response, communication, and event support.

10. 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.    

11. May serve as Acting Public Works Director in the Director’s absence. 

Typical Qualifications

Required Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Natural Resource Management, or a related field and at least five years of relevant experience operating, planning, and maintaining water supply facilities and resources; or an equivalent combination of education experience. Demonstrated understanding of hydrology, western water rights and the doctrine of prior appropriations. Experience managing water rights portfolios. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to deal tactfully and effectively with the public. Demonstrated ability to establish and achieve goals. Demonstrated ability and initiative to work independently with minimal supervision. Ability to respond to emergency situations in and outside of normal work hours. Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities. Must possess a valid driver’s license. Must have and maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record and criminal history record.

Desired Qualifications (In Addition to Required Minimum)

Experience with the South Platte River, Boulder Creek, and Colorado River Basins. Experience with municipal water supplies. 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. Licensure as a Colorado Professional Engineer or ability to obtain through reciprocity. 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.   Proven ability to lead, manage and organize work teams.  Demonstrated ability to develop budget proposals and manage budgets.