City of Kalispell
POSITION DESCRIPTION
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Class Title: Utility Superintendent
Department: Public Works Department
Division: Water Resource Division
Union: Non-Union
Salary: $$86,617 – $110,877 DOQ
Benefits: 100% paid health insurance for employee & reduced rates for dependents. State
retirement plan, 3-weeks’ vacation, paid sick leave, 10 State and Federal holidays. This
position may be participating in a *VEBA program.
FSLA: Exempt
Date: September 20 2024
A. GENERAL PURPOSE:
The Utility Superintendent plans and manages the activities of the water resource utilities including water production, water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collections, stormwater collection and facilities. The Utility Superintendent is responsible for the planning, administration, operation, maintenance, and evaluation of utilities programs; establishes quality and performance standards for administrative, operations, and maintenance staff; supervises all aspects of utility operations to ensure attainment of quality performance; and performs responsible and innovative administrative management in support of the department and the City’s goals and objectives.
B. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general guidance and direction of the Water Resource Manager.
C. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Provides direct supervision of division personnel, or others as assigned.
D. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Utility Operations Management (60%)
a. Develops, executes, and monitors work plans, programs, goals and objectives to achieve the
department’s mission and assigned priorities.
b. Supports the development of and executes policies, permits, and procedures necessary to ensure that all water quality related activities of the City are in compliance with federal, state and local regulatory requirements.
c. Plans, organizes, and manages the personnel within their span of control.
d. Conducts periodic performance evaluation and planning sessions for assigned personnel.
Counsels assigned personnel on job performance and disciplinary matters and keeps the direct
supervisor apprised of staff’s performance on regular basis.
e. Assigns tasks, trains, reviews work product, sets and adjusts work priorities, and performs
periodic reviews and assessments of personnel in the performance of their assigned duties.
f. Responsible for the planning, administration, operation, maintenance, and evaluation of all water,
wastewater collection/conveyance, and stormwater collection/conveyance.
g. Develops and executes utility operations and maintenance policies, procedures, and programs.
h. Directs the operation and maintenance of the utility systems to ensure compliance with federal,
state and local regulations.
i. Reviews and evaluates the performance of all utility systems and prioritizes replacements and
maintenance projects.
j. Manages the Utility Asset Management Program.
k. Ensures that the facilities are maintained and operated to meet all federal, state and local public
health requirements including the periodic submittal of reports and other related technical data required in connection with said compliance; serves as the liaison with regulatory agencies.
l. Supervises and reports on emergency response for sewage spills and the Drinking Water
Emergency Notification Plan; coordinates with appropriate regulatory agencies; oversees and
ensures timely posting of health warnings and dissemination of other public information.
m. Directs and oversees monitoring, sampling and testing of drinking water, and other water resource related hazards; oversees chemical water treatment programs.
n. Supervises and assigns personnel to maintain and repair a large volume and variety of machinery
and equipment, and buildings.
o. Responsible for control and application of all materials, supplies and equipment used in the
operation, maintenance and repair of the facilities.
p. Assists in the planning and development of annual operating and maintenance budgets and capital improvement budgets; monitors and evaluates the budget to ensure efficient and effective use of resources and adherence to established guidelines.
q. Directs the enforcement of rules, regulations, policies, and methods relating to the operation of
the City’s utility and facilities; interprets, coordinates, and carries out rules and policies from all oversight agencies.
r. Responds to public or other inquiries relative to water resource utility policies and procedures
and other information.
s. Promotes safe work practices and ensures compliance with City safety policies. Suggests and
carries out procedures to assure the highest standards of risk management, employee safety and risk avoidance.
t. Directs, coordinates and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; ensures that training
courses/programs are available for continuous improvement of all levels of staff.
Project Management (40%)
a. Participates in the creation, update, prioritization, and implementation of water, wastewater collection, and stormwater Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
b. Determines and coordinates assignments within the divisions, other Public Works Department
divisions, other City Departments, and outside agencies.
c. Assists Engineering Division with Utility System Modeling reviews and updates.
d. Assists the Environmental Coordinator in the development, training, coordination, and
implementation of the Stormwater Management Program. Works in coordination with the
Environmental Coordinator on implementation of the Stormwater Management Program and
sampling.
e. Serves as a Project Manager for specific City projects. Carries out special projects that are related
to the Public Works Department. These projects may be complex and require the making of
recommendations based on extensive fact finding and analysis.
f. Coordinates and assist Engineering Division with the professional Request for Proposals, and
development of bid documentation for equipment and City projects.
g. Communicates effectively by preparing and presenting both oral and written reports and
correspondence to public/private groups and technical peers; demonstrates open and direct
communication with peers, subordinates, and the public.
h. Assist as needed the research, preparation and submittal of complex and detailed technical and
administrative reports and studies required by regulatory agencies, the City and other organizations.
i. Provides guidance and direction for the periodic review and revision of plans and programs
necessary for the effective operation, maintenance, upgrade and expansion of water resources
facilities (water, storm, sewer systems).
j. Manages facility modification and construction projects. Works with design engineers and
contractors, reviews plans, oversees development of specifications, ensures efficient operation
of facilities during construction, and monitors construction progress; responsible for maintaining
permit compliance during construction.
k. Integrates complex construction activities into the daily operation of the City’s utility system to
ensure uninterrupted delivery of service and continuous compliance with all Federal, State and
local requirements.
l. Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Education and Experience):
a. A degree from an accredited college/university in a closely related field, and
b. Four years of progressively responsible experience in the operation of a water
treatment/distribution system, wastewater collection operation system or other water resource-
related experience. A minimum of three years of this experience must have been at a management
or other senior supervisory level that included daily direction and supervision of personnel,
assignment and evaluation of work assignments, and fiscal administration responsibility.
c. or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
F. DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
a. Working knowledge of federal, state and local regulations relating to drinking water, wastewater
and storm water.
b. Strong knowledge related to State and Federal safety rules and regulations.
c. Skilled in teaching, mentoring and motivation to other employees within the organization through
the sharing of knowledge, skills and information; is proactive in performing and improving
his/her own work and suggests and participates in projects and activities to improve the function
of the entire organization.
d. Skilled in assisting with the development of operating procedures, policies, rules and
regulations.
e. Skilled in the use of required tools and equipment to successfully perform the job.
f. Ability to develop and effectively execute and evaluate strategies, work plans, programs, policies
and procedures relating to area of responsibility.
g. Ability to research and analyze complex issues and develop appropriate recommendations for
action.
h. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing; make effective formal
presentations and write complex technical reports.
i. Ability to effectively monitor the division’s budget and anticipate future budgetary needs.
j. Ability to interpret, apply and explain complex rules, regulations, laws and ordinances.
k. Ability to effectively manage and supervise subordinates; ability to establish and maintain
effective relationships with city staff, regulatory agencies, advisory groups and the general
public.
l. Ability to show emotional intelligence in day-to-day work, decision making and problem solving.
m. Ability to initiate and suggest actions to improve departmental and City operations, employee
performance, morale and work methods.
n. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with supervisor(s), department
head, City employees, employee teams and other departments.
o. Ability to direct, coordinate and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; ensures that training
courses/programs are available for continuous improvement of all levels of staff.
p. Ability to develop operating procedures, policies, rules and regulations.
q. Ability to prepare letters, reports, requisitions, legal notices, memos, and other written documents
in a timely manner.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
a. Current Montana 1A/3B Water Operator certifications or the ability to obtain one within 9
months.
b. Certification for Volume I & II Sewer Management or the ability to obtain within 6 months.
c. Must possess a valid State driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one at time of hire and
demonstrate a satisfactory driving history as determined by the City.
d. Must satisfactorily pass a detailed background check and the requirements outlined in the City’s
assessment of system vulnerabilities for the Kalispell Water Supply System.
e. Must be able to work the hours necessary to accomplish the work; attend evening meetings; travel out of town and attend workshops, conferences, seminars and meetings during work and non- work hours; available on call in the event of a major emergency.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
a. Use of personal computer programs including Microsoft platforms and asset management
software, SCADA system software including web based and onsite system controls, water
analysis equipment, technical and product manuals, ESRI ArcGIS and associated softwares,
calculators, mobile radio, phone, copy/fax machine, and City vehicles.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
a. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
b. Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some daily outdoor work is required in the
monitoring of various field facilities and projects.
c. Performance of the essential office setting duties of this position includes the following physical
and/or working conditions: the ability to exert a small amount of physical effort in sedentary to
light work involving moving from one area of the office to another; sufficient hand/eye
coordination to perform semi-skilled repetitive movements, such as use of computers, calculators
and data entry. Tasks require sound and visual perception and discrimination, or well as oral
communications ability.
d. While performing the essential outdoor duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to
use the hands to finger, handle or feel objects and reach with hands and arms. The employee is
frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, stoop, kneel or crouch and smell. The employee
is occasionally required to climb or balance and crawl. Specific vision abilities required include
close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
e. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
MENTAL DEMANDS:
a. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral
communication skills, read and interpret complex data, information and documents, analyze and
solve difficult problems, use statistical/mathematical reasoning, perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks and work with constant interruptions and interact with officials and the public.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
a. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
b. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather
conditions where temperatures vary from hot to very cold. The employee occasionally works
near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions,
vibration and odors. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is
occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of
electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in field facilities and
moderately quiet in office settings.
SELECTION GUIDELINES:
a. Formal application analyzed, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference
check; other job-related tests may be required.
b. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may
be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the
position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
c. Kalispell is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American with Disabilities
Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
d. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and
employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements
of the job change.
*VEBA (Voluntary Employee Benefit Association) is a tax-exempt health reimbursement account
used by employees and their eligible dependent to pay for eligible medical expenses. The plan is
funded by an employee’s sick and/or vacation banked hours upon leaving City employment.
POSTED: September 20, 2024
CLOSES: Open until filled
NOTICE!
ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
A CITY APPLICATION CAN BE OBTAINED FROM:
• THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT WITH THE CITY OF KALISPELL, 201 1ST
AVENUE EAST, KALISPELL, MONTANA, PHONE: (406)758-7774 OR
• THE KALISPELL JOB SERVICE, 427 1st AVENUE EAST, KALISPELL, MONTANA.
PHONE (406)758-6200 OR
• ONLINE AT THE CITY OF KALISPELL’S WEBSITE AT: WWW.KALISPELL.COM .
Approval: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________________
Department Head/Supervisor
Approved: __________________________________ Date: ____________________________
Human Resources Director
Approval: ___________________________________ Date: ____________________________
City Manager/Hiring Authority
Revised 9-19-24