Water Utility Public Works General Supervisor

Water Utility Public Works General Supervisor

Salary

$85,983.30 - $103,336.48 Annually

Location

110 S. Paterson St. Madison, WI

Job Type

PERMANENT FULL TIME

Job Number

2026-00195

Department

Water Utility

Opening Date

07/02/2026

Closing Date

7/16/2026 11:59 PM Central

Comp. Group/Range

18/10

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

This is highly responsible supervisory work involving the planning, organization and direction of large field operations through lower-level supervisors. This position is responsible for supervising the operation and maintenance of the City's water distribution system. The work is characterized by the exercise of independent judgment and discretion in supervising the activities of large numbers of workers with varied skill levels. Under general supervision, this position reports to the Water Utility Operations Manager and is a part of the management team.

Employees may be eligible for loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Black, Indigenous, people of color, women, trans, nonbinary, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We value the unique blend of lived experiences and diverse perspectives that comes from non-traditional education pathways and the variety of transferrable skills each candidate brings to the table. We value diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Even if every item on the job posting doesn't match your experience perfectly, we encourage you to apply and share how your skills and experience can best serve our community.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate daily operations of assigned organizational units and staff. Establish work priorities and standards and coordinate overall scheduling and allocation of resources. Review project results and determine effectiveness of work procedures, assignments and schedules.
• Recommend and implement new procedures, policies and standards for better utilization of equipment and employees. Review safety procedures and implement changes as necessary. Oversee the development and implementation of safety training.
• Perform long and short-range planning. Prepare budgetary requests and justification. Represent the unit before public and administrative boards, as necessary. Participate in the general development and implementation of overall agency policies, procedures, and operating practices.
• Hire, train, assign, evaluate and discipline assigned workers, both directly and through lower-level supervisors. Respond or assist lower-level supervisors in responding to employee grievances and concerns.
• Respond to and investigate complaints by the public or internal customers regarding the workforce.
• Direct the operation and maintenance of the water distribution system to ensure a potable, sufficient and reliable water supply to the public and for fire protection.
• Supervise the installation and repair of water main extensions, replacement mains, valves, water service laterals, curb stop boxes, fire hydrants, manholes, valve boxes, and replacement of lead services.
• Supervise thawing of water service laterals and coordinate unidirectional and conventional flushing.
• Supervise ditch repair, reseeding of terraces, temporary and permanent street repair, and replacement of curbs, sidewalks and driveway aprons. Supervise grounds maintenance at all Water Utility properties.
• Coordinate the work of the section with other Water Utility sections, City departments and contractors. Authorize purchases and maintain an adequate inventory of all materials for section activities. Oversee the distribution system preventive maintenance program.
• Prepare time and material estimates. Estimate costs for property owners and contractors for installation of water services, lowering of water mains, installation of new hydrants and moving hydrants. Respond to inquiries from the general public and contractors regarding Water Utility policies and procedures and interpret Public Service Commission rules and regulations.
• Supervise the staff responsible for the location of underground water distribution and utility systems (through Diggers Hotline) for contractors, other utilities and property owners.
• Perform related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three (3) years of supervisory experience involving the supervision of unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled labor and equipment operations in areas directly related to the duties of the position similar to that gained as a Public Works General Foreperson.

• AND-

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.

• OR-

• Four (4) additional years of related advanced level maintenance or directly related leadership experience over public works maintenance crews.

• Post-high school coursework in maintenance/repair activities.

• OR-

• Four (4) years of experience in applying the following:

• Principles, techniques, methods, equipment, tools and materials commonly used in the area of responsibility.

• Computer software applicable to the duties of the position.

• Staffing requirements and efficient utilization of equipment and staff resources.

• Safety hazards of the work and methods of promoting a safe work environment.

• Full range of supervisory principles and practices, labor relations and personnel management. AND

• Two (2) years of experience in applying the following:

• Budgeting and program administration principles and practices.

The City of Madison strives to provide exceptional customer service to all its residents and visitors. Therefore successful candidates will have demonstrated ability to effectively work with multicultural communities.

For a complete list of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities, please see the classification specification.

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid Class B Commercial Drivers License within six (6) months of hire. The successful candidate must have passed the written portion of the relevant Department of Transportation testing process by the start date. A condition of continued employment is passage of the skills portion of the test and obtaining the required operators license within six (6) months.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires work outdoors in all types of weather and will be expected to physically visit sites throughout the City in order to effectively supervise staff.

The City of Madison offers excellent pay and benefits for employees. City Ordinances, handbooks, and labor contracts provide specifics; the description here is not to be considered a binding statement but offers an informal summary.

Compensation

The City of Madison strives to pay competitive wages. View the current salary schedules for pay for all classifications. Employees receive increases based on tenure with the City.

Benefits

The City offers a competitive benefits package, including a generous leave package, a variety of insurance options, and non-traditional benefits such as optional pet insurance, a bus pass for all employees, and the possibility of flexible work schedules. A brief summary of benefits is listed below. Please visit our website for more information.

Leave

Vacation is earned upon starting employment and can be used after completion of probation. The general vacation schedule is below.

0-3 years 10 work days of vacation

After 3 years 12-1/2 days

After 7 years 15 days

After 11 years 17-1/2 days

After 15 years 20 days

After 19 years 25 days

After 27 years 27 days

Employees earn 3.5 personal days in addition to vacation.

Employees receive eight official paid holidays (New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day), as well as 3 paid leave days (the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Years Eve).

Employees also earn 13 sick days annually that may accrue to a total of 150 days.

Retirement

The City of Madison participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System through the State of Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds.

Insurance

The City of Madison offers a variety of optional insurance programs including:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Income Continuation Insurance (for short and long-term disability)
• Long Term Care Insurance

Other Benefits

The City offers numerous other benefits and programs for employees, including:

• 457(b) deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bus Pass on Madison Metro
• Flexible Work Schedules
• Employer-paid Training

01

Please indicate your highest level of education from the choices provided (Please note that a degree is not required for this position):

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Associates degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
• Other unrelated Bachelors or higher degree
• No Degree

02

Please indicate your years of experience in working with a Water Distribution System.

• Six (6) or more years
• Five (5) to less than six (6) years
• Four (4) to less than five (5) years
• Three (3) to less than four (4) years
• Two (2) to less than three (3) years
• One (1) to less than two (2) years
• Some but less than one (1) year
• No Experience

03

Please select all types of utilities you have paid experience with (check all that apply):

• Water
• Sewer
• Gas
• Electric
• Telecommunication
• Waste
• No experience

04

Please indicate the types of staff you have supervised or acted as leadworker.

• Both Permanent and seasonal/hourly staff
• Permanent Staff
• Seasonal/hourly staff
• None of the above

05

Please identify the function that you have been responsible for as a supervisor or lead working member overseeing the work of others (Check all that apply).

• Training of staff
• Planning and scheduling projects
• Assigning tasks
• Coordinating project and maintenance schedules
• Providing input on performance evaluations
• Coaching regarding expectations
• Maintaining related records and documents
• Hiring of staff
• Scheduling of staff
• Performance management of staff including discipline
• Policy development
• No experience

06

Please select all types of software you have paid experience with (check all that apply):

• Cityworks
• Faster
• GT Viewer
• MUNIS
• Geotab
• Microsoft Teams
• Microsoft Excel
• SharePoint
• Other public works related software
• None of the above

07

If you indicated in your previous response that you have experience with other related software, please list that software.

Required Question

Employer Madison, City of (WI)

Address 215 Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd.

MMB Rm 261

MADISON, Wisconsin, 53703

Phone (608) 266-4615

Website http://www.cityofmadison.com/jobs