State of Colorado

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER III - Section Manager

State of Colorado, Denver

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PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER III - Section Manager - 2701

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PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER III - Section Manager - 2701

Salary

$118,056.00 - $141,672.00 Annually

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

FAA2701-08/07/25

Department

Department of Public Health & Environment

Division

Water Quality Control Division

Opening Date

08/07/2025

Closing Date

8/20/2025 5:00 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

4300 Cherry Creek Drive S. Denver, CO 80246

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Mike Houlihan at

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

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Description
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Benefits
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Questions
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Department Information

This position is only open for permanent residents of the State of Colorado.

This position will have remote and hybrid workplace options available but will still be required to report to the listed address at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business need.

Be BOLD and make a real difference . . .

Do you desire a career that provides you with opportunities to improve the world around you? The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a position that makes a direct impact on improving the lives of Coloradans. Our mission is to advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play. Our vision is to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

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Employee wellness programs and facilities
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Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
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Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks
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Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
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Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits ( including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
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Medical and dental health plans (
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Paid life insurance
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Short- and long-term disability coverage
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11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off
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Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees
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Tuition assistance for college level courses including Master’s degree programs
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Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and a variety of employee resource groups
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Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to:

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Description of Job

The Work Unit:

The Engineering Section exists to address for the public, governmental entities, the regulated community, and the department, those technical and regulatory issues primarily related to compliance assistance and compliance assurance for drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities (and other discharging facilities). These issues include the following activities: water and wastewater engineering plan review and approval; technical and compliance assistance; regulation and policy development; and provision of engineering technical services in support of the division's programs that provide financial assistance for drinking water and wastewater treatment facility construction.

What You Will Be Doing:

This position is a second level supervisor responsible for the managing three unit managers with an overall section size involving supervision of about 22 technical and administrative staff level FTE. This oversight is guided by the development and implementation of a comprehensive section work plan that maintains alignment with the applicable federal, department, and division missions and goals. This oversight includes fashioning the strategy and tactics for the Engineering Section to support higher level strategic plans. This position inspires unit managers and staff to embrace the division mission and vision and to be committed to implementation of the applicable program priorities. This position is expected to be a leader amongst stakeholders to engender respect for the division's role in implementing the various policy and regulatory/policy development activities within the section. This position supports Safe Drinking Water and Clean Water Program’s efforts to advance Colorado's position with EPA and state stakeholders on emerging initiatives and provides information regarding the value associated with a state implemented program that results in increased willingness to support continued program funding. This position allocates staff and operating and travel resources based on the section work plan priorities to address the most pressing public health and environmental issues.

This position provides overall management of the technical and regulatory support services mentioned above by establishing strategic direction, developing a comprehensive section work plan, and supervising unit managers and support positions. This position oversees the efficient completion of engineering plan reviews, facility planning plus regulation and policy development. This position allocates staff and operating and travel budget resources in accordance with the priorities based on the section work plan and public health and environmental issues.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Current registration as a professional engineer issued or recognized as equivalent by the Colorado Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors, or able to obtain reciprocity in Colorado within six months of hire.

AND

Three years of engineering experience in the design and/or operation of wastewater (industrial or domestic) and/or drinking water treatment facilities, one year of which must have been at the level of unit supervisor, staff authority, or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

The exceptional applicant will be an experienced engineer and will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following:

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Knowledge of local issues and concerns in the program area;
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Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section;
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Highest work/personal ethics and integrity;
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knowledge and experience, including current working knowledge of water and wastewater related engineering processes, theories, laws, principles, conceptual models, and best practices;
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A history of progressively responsible project management experience;
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Knowledge of applicable Federal and State policies, regulations and statutes;
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Project or management experience, including the ability to successfully plan, organize, and manage or oversee multiple, concurrent, projects of varying complexities;
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Experience working with general public, professionals, special interest groups, elected or appointed officials;
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Experience identifying and analyzing problems using sound reasoning to arrive at conclusions;
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Being open to change and new information; adapting behavior and work methods in response to changing conditions or unexpected obstacles;
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Ability to partner with professionals, consultants, vendors, stakeholders and staff, with sensitivity to their needs and priorities to accomplish the organization's goals;
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Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy;
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Strong analytical, reasoning, problem solving, and decision making ability;
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Excellent planning, organizational, time and project management skills and experience;
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Excellent facilitation, presentation, and communication skills, both written and oral;
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Experience managing budgets to ensure cost effectiveness of projects or programs;
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Proven ability to collaborate and build relationships;
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Experience negotiating with individuals or groups to find mutually acceptable solutions; experience building consensus through give and take;
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Flexibility/adaptability in response to changing conditions or unexpected obstacles;
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Ability to work effectively in independent and team situations;
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Ability to implement effective change management;
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Relevant years of State service shall be considered.
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Conditions of Employment

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A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
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Must maintain the ability and willingness to independently travel to perform site visits and meet with a variety of stakeholders. Travel occurs throughout the state. Some overnight stays may be necessary.
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Supplemental Information

A complete application packet must include:

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A completed State of Colorado application.
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Answer to supplemental questions.
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A copy of your Colorado PE License showing an active status in good standing.
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The Selection Process

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All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step.
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Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.
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Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.
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A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.
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Appeal Rights: If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position or that as a result of no longer being considered, you were discriminated against, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination. Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging. If an applicant seeks to have an allegation of discrimination reviewed by the Board, that person must file an appeal (petition for hearing) within 10 days of the action or receipt of any final written selection decision. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at A standard appeal form is available at: If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify ( , including your rights and responsibilities.

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDPHE does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

ADAAA Accommodations :

nThe State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at or call 303-692-2060, option 5. nn

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information:

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

Applicants for State of Colorado classified positions must be current residents of Colorado. Are you a current resident of the State of Colorado who can provide proof of Colorado residency?

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A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. As a condition of employment, are you willing and able to submit to a background check if offered the position?

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This position requires current enrollment as a Professional Engineer by the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors. Did you attach a copy of your current enrollment as a PE? If not, you may go back and do so now.

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Describe your approach to leading and managing teams of various experience and diversity. How have you built or sustained an inclusive, accountable, and high-performing culture in past leadership roles? Please provide a specific example.

Describe a time when you led or significantly contributed to a significant organizational or operational change. What steps did you take to manage resistance, maintain staff engagement, and ensure the success of the change effort?

Please describe a strategic initiative you led or managed that improved a group’s performance, service delivery, or compliance with regulatory goals. What planning, collaboration, and evaluation methods did you use, and what were the results?

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

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