Deputy Director, Engineering

Overview

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Deputy Director oversees critical engineering functions, including the capital improvement plan (CIP), electrical instrumentation & controls (EI&C), construction management, asset management, renewable natural gas (RNG) programs, and much more. This position offers the chance to lead research and development through SPR’s Pilot and Research Center (PARC), optimize resources, and champion SPR’s mission to deliver sustainable, cutting-edge solutions to the communities it serves. The Deputy Director’s contributions directly influence the organization’s success, making a lasting impact on the environment and inspiring innovation across the water industry.

As a key member of SPR’s executive leadership team, the Deputy Director collaborates to develop, align, and execute forward-thinking organizational strategy and present compelling business cases to the Supervisory Committee and City Councils to secure support for key initiatives. Preparing the annual budget, forecasting costs, and ensuring compliance with SPR’s procurement policies and best practices is essential to maximizing fiscal responsibility. Additionally, the Deputy Director builds and maintains strong partnerships with the Cities of Englewood and Littleton, consultants, contractors, vendors, universities, and other utilities.

This role directs the diverse functions of the Engineering division, ensuring alignment with the vision and mission of SPR and both the Cities of Englewood and Littleton. The Deputy Director leads large-scale capital projects for wastewater services from planning to construction, coordinating with consultants, contractors, and external agencies. The oversight of engineering and construction projects and programs ensure that all engineering initiatives align with and accomplish SPR’s strategic priorities.

Leadership and guidance of the Engineering team are key aspects of the role, as the Deputy Director fosters growth, collaboration, and effective communication across all levels of the organization. Supervision of assigned staff includes coaching and mentorship, goal setting, teambuilding, training and development, resource allocation, and ensuring accountability. Demonstrating respect for diversity and adapting communication styles to accommodate different perspectives is essential.

SPR is committed to fostering growth and success, offering a collaborative environment that values innovation, integrity, and impact. The Deputy Director, Engineering leads transformative projects, shapes sustainable solutions, and builds meaningful connections within the water industry and the communities it serves.

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Priorities

• Collaborate with the team to realize the current projects identified in the CIP and Master Plan. In preparation for future initiatives, collaborate with the City of Englewood and the City of Littleton to identify funding. Develop budgets, forecast and track expenditures, and allocate resources efficiently to ensure successful project implementation.
• Partner effectively with colleagues to develop and implement innovative strategies and creative solutions that support SPR’s mission and achieve sustainable, safe, and efficient water renewal operations.
• Foster a high-performance culture that empowers individuals, cultivates organizational excellence, develops leaders, and prepares the next generation of water professionals.
• Serve as the Executive sponsor for several projects, including a three-year project to improve the electrical and instrumentation infrastructure, installation of electrical equipment, design for sidestream anammox treatment, and design and construction of the Pilot and Research Center Solids Site, among others.
• Lead the continued success of the Pilot and Research Center Program. Ensure the program remains an innovative and collaborative hub for developing sustainable solutions in the renewal industry through partnerships with vendors, manufacturers, educational institutions, and other utilities and research facilities.
• Actively champion innovation within the wastewater industry. Create new opportunities to integrate and interface with industry leaders, sharing successes from innovative efforts and pilot projects that lead to industrywide advancements.
• Build effective relationships with the City of Englewood Utilities by educating, consulting, partnering, and recognizing the connections that facilitate greater efficiencies and improved outcomes.

The Successful Candidate

The Deputy Director, Engineering is a strategic, forward-thinking leader who is passionate about renewing water and is excited by the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across SPR to ensure its long-term sustainability. The Deputy Director is a realistic change agent with the commitment and confidence to assume a leadership role in an industry-leading organization. The successful candidate values transformation and believes in agility and adaptability to support innovation and performance excellence, while seamlessly ensuring alignment with organizational strategic plans, goals, and values.

Focused on high-level strategic outcomes, the Deputy Director understands how to bridge technical expertise with broader organizational goals. Supporting a culture that embraces diverse ideas and new opportunities, the Deputy Director, Engineering offers confidence grounded in experience to make balanced decisions for the best outcomes. The successful candidate is known for being calm under pressure while balancing excitement and passion with patience and flexibility, recognizing when to push forward and when to pull back. They build organic and dynamic relationships both internally and externally, fostering a sense of shared purpose. The Deputy Director effectively partners with the executive leadership team to align people, resources, and programs to better position the organization to deliver on its key strategic outcomes and respond to future challenges and opportunities.

A strategic mindset is essential in anticipating future trends and translating them into actionable strategies that support SPR’s long-term goals. The Deputy Director plans and prioritizes work effectively, ensuring initiatives align with broader organizational objectives and anticipating the steps needed for success. Skilled in analyzing complex engineering problems, the Deputy Director uncovers root causes and evaluates potential solutions. The Deputy Director is also empowered to make independent decisions on design standards, permitting issues, and technical challenges, providing leadership in engineering design, construction, and operations.

With a proactive growth mindset, the Deputy Director provides engineering leadership and is energized by the possibilities of the future. They embrace piloting innovative ideas while steering clear of unnecessary changes, ensuring each initiative is thoughtfully aligned with a clear and purpose-driven mission. Furthermore, the Deputy Director manages their division holistically, balancing creative exploration with practical execution. They do not get bogged down in the weeds but elevate the work of confident and competent team members, connecting the dots between diverse work requirements and the broader mission.

The Deputy Director, Engineering is a human-centered leader who actively supports a high-performing organization. The successful candidate empowers staff while promoting a forward-thinking, impact-driven culture. They delegate effectively, trusting their team’s knowledge and competence while maintaining clarity on when to step in or elevate issues. An effective communicator, the Deputy Director establishes clear expectations, holds staff accountable, and provides transparent communication across the Engineering Division and its workgroups.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible experience in project and program management is required, with knowledge of current or developing technologies in wastewater treatment beneficial. Prior experience in long-range planning of utility systems and administration of utility services is ideal.
• At least three years in a management role with direct experience building and maintaining a high-functioning team is essential, as is prior experience working with diverse stakeholder groups. A sound financial background with direct experience developing and managing budgets, including capital budgets, is required.
• A bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering or a related engineering field is required, with an advanced degree in engineering, business administration, or public administration preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant job experience may be substituted. A Colorado Professional Engineer license or the ability to obtain licensure in Colorado is required. Formal Project or Program Management certifications or training is ideal.

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Inside South Palette Renew

South Platte Renew (SPR) is co-owned by the Cities of Littleton and Englewood and is the third-largest water renewal facility in Colorado. SPR renews wastewater from 300,000 customers within its 108-square-mile service area. The service area is comprised of the Cities and 19 connecting sanitation districts. SPR treats approximately 20 million gallons of water daily and recovers valuable natural resources, such as biosolids and renewable natural gas (RNG), through the treatment process. SPR employs 88 full-time employees who operate the facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

SPR is a major permitted facility regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and the Water Quality Control Division. Renewed water is permitted for discharge to Segment 14 of the South Platte River. The renewed water supports recreation, agriculture, and environmental applications downstream and provides a source of drinking water for other municipalities. In addition to renewing water, SPR recovers biosolids that are used as a natural fertilizer to produce dryland wheat and corn on nearly 11,000 acres of farmland owned by the Cities. SPR also recovers RNG that is cleaned and injected into Xcel Energy’s natural gas pipeline. SPR’s Pipeline Injection System, the first system of its kind in the state, generates revenue for the Cities and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

SPR’s commitment goes beyond treatment – they are transforming water renewal through innovative approaches. The dedicated team at SPR continues to pioneer sustainable water management, setting new standards in environmental stewardship.

SPR is structured into four main divisions, each responsible for distinct aspects of the facility’s operations:

1. Operations and Maintenance: Manages the water renewal process, ensures facility maintenance, and oversees the transportation and land application of biosolids.
2. Engineering: Focuses on capital project planning, project management, and the oversight of systems like SCADA and asset management.
3. Business Solutions: Handles administrative functions such as budgeting, accounting, communications, government relations, and IT support.
4. Environmental Programs: Ensures regulatory compliance, laboratory services, data management, safety, and industrial pretreatment.

Vision
Renewing water for Colorado’s future.

Mission
Providing the best value to our customers by:

• Recovering resources using sustainable practices,
• Engaging our community to build stronger partnerships, and
• Advancing the industry through innovative solutions.

Values

• Safety – Protecting people, our greatest asset
• Passion – Immersing ourselves in the work we love to preserve and protect our waters
• Leadership – Empowering our employees to achieve greatness by setting high expectations and supporting professional development
• Accountability – Demonstrating courage by taking personal responsibility for our actions, behaviors, and decisions
• Trust – Believing in each other to do what is right for the organization and our community
• Teamwork – Supporting one another through success and failure
• Excellence – Striving for continuous improvement and innovation to stand the test of time

Employee Experience

Attracting and retaining a skilled and motivated workforce by creating a positive work environment and opportunities for professional growth continue to be a key priority. Focusing on professional development, leadership training through the High-Performance Leadership Program, recognition programs, innovation, and industry involvement are priority areas for SPR. Reimagining Values for a Positive Workplace Culture was highlighted as a case study by the EPA Workforce Compendium and in 2023, the facility conducted Stay Interviews with all employees to identify areas for improvement in employee satisfaction, career growth, and benefits. Insights from these interviews are being used to implement long-term changes aimed at enhancing employee experience, engagement, and retention.

SPR staff actively contribute to the water renewal industry through conference presentations, industry committee involvement, and leadership roles in various organizations, including the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, the Water Quality Control Commission, the Rocky Mountain Water Environment Association, and the Colorado Wastewater Utility Council to name a few. Through these affiliations, SPR gains valuable training, strengthens its network, and reinforces its reputation as an industry leader in water renewal.

Recognition
SPR has garnered numerous accolades for its achievements, including the “Peak Performance Award” for 14 years of compliance with permit requirements and the “Water Resources Utility of the Future Award” for its innovative safety program and energy management initiatives. Additionally, SPR received the Sustainability Award for their development of an Energy Management Master Plan and the continued operation of the Pipeline Injection System. The Chemical Phosphorus and UV Disinfection Project also received the “Best Project” award from Engineering News-Record Mountain States.

Inside the Engineering Division

The Engineering Division plays a key role in supporting SPR’s infrastructure and operational goals. The division focuses on planning and executing capital projects, asset management, and integrating innovative technologies. Led by the Deputy Director, Engineering, the Division has 18 full-time employees across six workgroups, ensuring the efficient operation of critical systems and supporting sustainability efforts.

Planning and Executing Capital Projects
This workgroup develops and implements long-term infrastructure improvements, aligning projects with the SPR Master Plan. Responsibilities include managing the capital budget, overseeing design and construction processes, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders. They also monitor project progress and manage resources effectively.

Organizational Project Management
This workgroup leads cross-functional projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. They develop project plans, track performance, and standardize project management practices across the organization to ensure efficiency and consistency in execution.

Oversight of the SCADA System
This workgroup ensures the functionality, security, and efficiency of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, which monitors critical infrastructure. This includes maintaining and updating hardware/software, monitoring performance, implementing system enhancements, and addressing security concerns.

Asset Management Program
This workgroup manages SPR’s physical assets, maximizing value and minimizing risk. This includes maintaining an asset inventory, conducting lifecycle cost analysis, and prioritizing investments. The workgroup also develops policies to align asset management strategies with operational needs.

PARC Program (Pilot and Research Center)
The PARC Program supports innovation by testing new technologies and researching methods to improve operational performance and meet future regulations. The workgroup manages pilot projects, analyzes results, and pursues funding to support ongoing research and innovation efforts.

Managing the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) System
This workgroup oversees the Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) system, which supports sustainability by converting biogas into energy. Responsibilities include system operation, ensuring gas quality compliance, optimizing performance, and collaborating with external partners to expand RNG capabilities.

Compensation and Benefits

The full salary range for the Deputy Director, Engineering is $146,880 – $220,320, with an anticipated hiring range of $175,000 – $200,000, and will depend on the qualifications of the successful candidate.

South Platte Renew offers competitive benefits that support employees’ professional and personal well-being, including comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement planning with generous matching, paid time off and wellness programs, professional development and training opportunities, and meaningful work with direct environmental impact.