General Manager

County Water District of Billings Heights Utility – Montana

Job opening:
General Manager

Location:

Montana (Billings region / relocation assistance negotiable)

Employment Type:

Full-time, exempt

Reports To:

Board of Directors

Final date to receive applications:
Open until filled (4:00 pm Friday, March 13, 2026)

Start Date:

April 1, 2026 (Negotiable)

The County Water Utility seeks an experienced, hands‑on General Manager to lead the day‑to‑day operations, financial stewardship, and long‑term planning of a public water utility serving a growing Montana community.

The General Manager is the chief executive and administrative officer of the utility, responsible for implementing Board‑adopted policy, ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining reliable water service, managing staff, and safeguarding public assets. This position requires a balance of technical water‑system knowledge, public‑sector leadership, and practical operational judgment, with a strong understanding of rural and small‑to‑mid‑size utility environments.

• Serve as the chief executive officer of the utility under direction of the Board of Directors
• Implement Board‑adopted policies, resolutions, and strategic goals
• Provide clear, timely, and accurate information to the Board to support informed decision‑making
• Prepare reports, budgets, and capital planning materials

• Oversee daily operation, maintenance, storage, transmission, and distribution systems
• Ensure system reliability, water quality, fire flow capacity, and customer service standards
• Manage preventive maintenance and asset‑management programs
• Manage capital improvement planning, engineering coordination, and construction projects
• Respond to emergencies and system failures; coordinate mutual aid when necessary

• Ensure compliance with all applicable:*
  • Montana DEQ drinking water regulations
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Act requirements
  • State and federal reporting and inspection requirements
  • Montana Open Meeting laws
• Serve as primary liaison with regulatory agencies, engineers, auditors, and funding entities

• Develop and administer annual operating and capital budgets
• Administer rates, fees, and long‑term financial planning as directed by the Board
• Manage debt service, reserves, grants, and loans (SRF, DNRC, USDA, etc.)
• Ensure sound accounting practices, audits, internal controls, and financial transparency
• Manage purchasing, contracts, and vendor relationships

• Hire, supervise, evaluate, and discipline employees in accordance with policy and Montana law
• Foster a culture of professionalism, safety, accountability, and service
• Oversee employee training, certifications, and workforce development
• Administer personnel policies and support a positive labor environment

• Build constructive relationships with customers, local governments, fire districts, and partner agencies
• Address customer concerns and service issues professionally and transparently

• Experience and willingness to work directly with an elected or appointed board
• Valid driver’s license with an insurable record
• Ability to pass pre‑employment physical examination, including drug screening

• Degree in engineering, water resources, public administration, business, or a closely related field (Previous experience may be considered in lieu of degree)
• Montana DEQ licensed water system operator
• Experience managing a rural or special district utility
• Familiarity with:*
  • Montana DEQ inspections and reporting
  • AWWA standards and best practices
  • Rural infrastructure funding programs
• Technical literacy

Work is in a normal office environment with occasional field visits. Working conditions require intermittent physical effort involving lifting 25 pounds or less. Working conditions require high attention to detail and deadlines between 45% and 70% of the time. A typical workday involves exposure to one disagreeable element present in moderate intensity less than 15% of the time.