Water Superintendent

Job Posted November 21, 2025

for the full Job description.

Job Title:

Water Superintendent

Department:
Water Department

Location:

Water Department / Ellsworth Public Works Campus

Reports To:

Public Works Director

Supervises:
Water Operators, Maintenance Workers, Administrative Staff, and Departmental Contractors

Employment Type:

Full-time, Exempt

The City of Ellsworth—one of Maine’s fastest-growing communities and the economic anchor of the Downeast region is seeking a highly skilled, forward-thinking, and collaborative Water Superintendent to lead the Water Department through an unprecedented period of modernization and expansion.

This is a rare opportunity for a licensed water professional (Maine Class IV, or ability to obtain within 12 months with potential to extend) to guide a rapidly growing system that is constructing a new $20+ million water treatment plant, expanding distribution infrastructure, enhancing regional partnerships, modernizing SCADA systems, and undertaking a full GIS/asset management transformation.

The Superintendent is responsible for overseeing daily operations and maintenance of the municipal water system while leading long-term strategic planning, capital project development, regulatory compliance, emergency response, workforce development, and community engagement. This position ensures the safe, reliable, and cost-effective delivery of water to residents, businesses, and regional customers, and plays a key leadership role in shaping Ellsworth’s water infrastructure for the next 50 years.

Leadership & Supervision

• Direct, supervise, and support all Water Department staff including operators, maintenance personnel, and administrative staff.
• Build a positive, safety-focused, and productive work environment that encourages professional development, certification advancement, and teamwork.
• Develop and implement work schedules, task priorities, and staffing plans to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations.
• Participate in hiring, training, performance evaluations, succession planning, and team-building initiatives.
• Lead the relocation of the Water Department from its current leased space to a permanent facility.

Operations & Water System Management

• Direct and oversee all operations of the municipal water system including treatment, distribution, pumping, water quality testing, watershed protection, maintenance, and emergency response.
• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and repair of water treatment facilities, pipelines, valves, pumps, hydrants, booster stations, storage tanks, and associated infrastructure. Monitor system performance and implement improvements to optimize treatment efficiency, distribution pressures, service reliability, and water quality.
• Conduct inspections, audits, and system integrity checks to ensure safe and continuous water service.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with all federal, state, and local water system requirements including DWP, DEP, EPA, and safety regulations.
• Oversee all water quality testing programs, watershed protection activities, and environmental compliance measures.
• Prepare and submit required regulatory reports, permits, and documentation. Maintain up-to-date emergency response and safety procedures.

Capital Projects & Infrastructure Modernization

• Lead the final phases, commissioning, and integration of the new $20M+ Branch Lake Water Treatment Plant.
• Oversee water line extensions, system upgrades, new service connections, and infrastructure for major city capital projects including expansion corridors.
• Manage engineers, contractors, consultants, and construction inspectors to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to required quality standards.
• Support long-term planning for water tower upgrades, system expansion, and regional interconnections.

Digital Transformation & Asset Management

• Lead the modernization of digital systems including GIS upgrades, ESRI-based asset management, real-time SCADA enhancements, and digital workflow improvements. Champion data-driven decision-making including condition assessments, asset lifecycle analysis, and…