Job Listing Overview

Fort Collins, CO (pop. 174,800) is conducting a national search for an innovative leader to manage a multi-hundred-million-dollar water supply legacy project over the next ten years. 

If you are proactive and motivated by a high public service opportunity, accomplishment, and reward, with a strong learning orientation, you are an ideal candidate to become Fort Collins’ Water Legacy Project Manager.  The Project Manager’s role is to lead the City of Fort Collins’ efforts to expand the existing Halligan reservoir to provide reliable water supplies the future generations of Fort Collins water users.  The ideal person will be a classic “go-getter” who can pick up the reins for this project midstream and bring it to fruition. 

The Project Manager position reports directly to Fort Collins’ Executive Director of Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Utilities while coordinating a 35-member multidisciplinary team of professionals.   The ideal person will enjoy working with a multitude of stakeholders to lead the Halligan Water Project team to a successful long-term conclusion that will be a forever-lasting credit to their capabilities and career.  The person chosen will serve as the single point of responsibility.

Halligan Reservoir currently provides water supply and is located on the North Fork of the Poudre River, 25 miles northwest of Fort Collins.  Once constructed, the Halligan Water Supply Project will enlarge Halligan Reservoir by approximately 8,200 acre-feet.   All of the needed land is already owned, and the water capacity rights secured.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) completed a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in November 2019. 

This multi-hundred-million-dollar facility will be the largest project ever completed by Fort Collins.  Multiple negotiations remain to be concluded, however.   The Project Manager will lead efforts to manage additional federal, state, and local regulatory permitting steps.  The ideal person will bring process completion knowledge to employ to optimize and streamline project techniques and collaboration for a tailored approach to meet project-specific goals.  The Project Manager and team need to enhance stakeholder engagement, identify and mitigate risks, and manage spending practices. The need is to recruit a Project Manager who has the ability to see the bigger picture, the interpersonal skills to navigate multiple stakeholder input, and the persistence to lead a highly qualified team to enable the long-term end.  The ideal person will be comfortable with multiple points of view, inclusive of adjacent property owners, intergovernmental reviewers, and interested environmental parties.  

The ideal person will need persistence, dedication, and drive to both enjoy and prosper as they diligently work toward a large, long-term goal which will be akin to completing a marathon.  The payoff will be long-term satisfaction and an indisputable legacy with job security for continued Fort Collins projects. Although this position was formerly classified as a Civil Engineer, Fort Collins’ believes an informed generalist who can effectively lead specialists to create new, far-reaching thinking is the ideal role. This skill set is similar to that of a city or county administrator, assistant, a department head, or a construction management engineer.  

This is not a contract position.  Job security can be expected for the successful candidate.  After completing design and construction management, the position will transition to other Fort Collins future projects.

Position Responsibilities are to:    

  • Plan and develop Halligan Water Project’s next steps and strategic plans & opportunities
  • Coordinate work activities of the Halligan Water Project team with other City departments, divisions, or the public as needed in order to sustain or enhance service levels to the public
  • Conduct problem solving and break down complex technical concepts into simple ideas to maintain momentum through construction, mitigation, and ribbon-cutting 
  • Represent the Halligan Water Project and serve as a technical information resource for the public, consultants and developers, City boards and departments, City Council, other organizations, and the general community
  • Coordinate public outreach related to the project. Includes preparation of presentations, brochures, handouts, web site, presentations, etc.  Manage preparation and modification of reports, specifications, plans, construction schedules, and/or designs for project or program.
  • Ensures completion of assigned projects and programs within established budgets. Anticipate financial changes for the project and maintain records 
  • Recruit, hire, and coach team members as needed
  • Serve with other utility service leaders as a member of the Utilities Service Area management team

Required Background and Experience:

  • Five (5) years of progressively responsible and related experience
  • Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business administration, planning, engineering, or related field. Note: A blend of education and experience will be considered such as an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. The city is interested in finding the best candidate for the job; that candidate may come from a less traditional background  
  • Management experience at a high-level interacting with elected officials and other stakeholder groups with demonstrated success in managing multidisciplinary project teams, including real estate, engineering, environmental, legal, and water utility experts
  • Knowledge of Project Management Principles (PMP) and Guidelines
  • Strong financial acumen and experience with strategic planning and intergovernmental relations
  • Competency in the areas of leadership, communication, planning, budgeting, and scope management are key to project success.
  • Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, and technical writing skills.

Candidate Preferences:

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
  • Master’s Degree in related field
  • Progressively responsible experience beyond five years
  • Advanced knowledge of applicable city, county and federal codes, laws, and standards
  • Skilled in the use of engineering, computer-aided design, spreadsheet, word processing and/or statistical software.

Compensation

$120,000 to $150,369.00, +/- DOQ/E. Excellent fringe benefits, including relocation assistance, retirement, wellness programs, workout facilities, and employee/family onsite health clinic. Residency is not required.

·       Fort Collins, CO – Benefit Guide

·       Halligan Water Supply Project 2021 – YouTube

·       18-20574-halligan-campaign-quick-facts.pdf (fcgov.com)

If you enjoy managing large, complex, multi-disciplinary projects and developing and leading high-functioning teams to deliver once-in-a-lifetime water resource solutions, then APPLY now to www.GovHRjobs.com with résumé, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references by Tuesday, January 24, 2023.  Position open until filled.

Questions may be addressed to Ryan Cotton, Vice President, GovHR USA, 847-380-3240, Ext. 114. Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado law.

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to gender (regardless of gender identity or gender expression), race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age 40 years or older, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, or other characteristics protected by law.