Project Manager (Watershed Planning)

Colorado Springs Utilities' Watershed Planning team is hiring a Project Manager III to lead the Fountain Creek Watershed Program. In this role, you will manage and oversee projects and programs that protect the regional "green infrastructure" supporting Utilities' infrastructure and operations, along with related budgets, contracts, and schedules.

Programs that you will oversee include a regional water quality monitoring program on Monument and Fountain Creeks that supports permit compliance and reporting while providing information for data-based adaptive management. You will also coordinate with external groups and organizations to meet shared regional watershed goals and initiatives, as this position supports building relationships across the larger Arkansas River basin to undertake challenging water and natural resource issues with effective and actionable results.

What Else Will You be Doing?

• Managing and overseeing projects and programs to improve and protect watershed resiliency within the Fountain Creek region
• Managing a regional water quality monitoring program that supports permit compliance and reporting
• Interpreting complex technical information for a variety of internal and external needs, including support of related legislation and regulatory rulemakings
• Delivering presentations regarding complex technical, regulatory, and environmental issues affecting watershed conditions and Utilities' interests
• Coordinating with external groups and organizations to monitor and improve watershed health, including the Fountain Creek Watershed District, COS Creek Plan, the Arkansas-Fountain Coalition for Urban River Evaluation, and the Arkansas River Watershed Collaborative
• Collaborating with water rights attorneys, engineers, and project managers to apply data analytics to ambient conditions and Utilities' operations within the Fountain Creek watershed
• Providing water quality and other technical expertise to support water resources management, including water supply project permits, water rights cases, and related operations and activities
• Utilizing technical tools to communicate complex information to internal and external stakeholders to increase understanding of local watershed conditions

Who You Are

• Demonstrated project or program management experience related to watershed science, water quality, natural resources management, and/or a related discipline is valued
• Technical knowledge and expertise of watershed science, water resources, water quality, aquatic life, and/or fluvial geomorphology is valued
• Data management, analysis, and interpretation experience using tools including GIS, Microsoft Excel, and Power BI is valued
• Experience effectively communicating complex technical matters and information is valued
• Bachelor's Degree and/or Master's Degree in Environmental Science, Watershed Science, or a related field is required - or sufficient experience in lieu of a degree
• Possession of a valid, unrestricted driver's license is required - this job requires operating Colorado Springs Utilities' vehicles as an essential job function

Our Commitment to Our Employees

Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We don't just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

Time Off to Recharge

• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
• Personal Leave –3 days per year
• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually

Health & Wellness – Benefits elected are effective the first of the following month

• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
• Wellness Program: Earn up to $500 for healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and $400 in gym reimbursements
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP

Financial & Retirement Security

• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Available for purchase to support extended care needs

Additional Support

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually to support continued education
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness