Description:
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
SUPERINTENDENT OF CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE
Chicago Department of Water Management
Bureau of Operations and Distribution
Number of Positions: 2 (two)
(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)
Starting Salary: $133,836-$150,768/Year (X-43)
Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 6/01/2026
Under direction, reports directly to the Deputy Commissioner within the Bureau of Operations and Distribution Division of the Department of Water Management. The class directs the work of General Superintendents of Water Management responsible for the management of skills trades and laborer personnel and work operations within a district, directing the new construction OR maintenance and repair of the City's sewer pipelines and water distribution system.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
· Directs and manages General Superintendents of Water Management and section staff engaged in the construction, installation, or rehabilitation of a variety of district maintenance or new construction projects.
· Directs and oversees the planning and scheduling of water and sewer jobs, ensuring department initiatives are met, projects are completed on time and within budget and ensuring the safety of the water and sewer system.
· Coordinates projects with other public and private agencies and ensures projects are completed according to established plans.
· Coordinates and completes projects within the rules and regulations as prescribed by state and other local agencies.
· Oversees the coordination with City departments to ensure that all construction work that is connected to or adjacent to the water and sewer system is performed according to departmental standards.
· Discusses existing and potential field conditions affecting construction activities with project engineers.
· Supervises the preparation and maintenance of division records and the completion of various administrative, contractual, budgetary, and productivity reports.
· Directs the receipt, storage, and delivery of equipment, materials, and supplies.
· Directs the performance of periodic inspections of work in progress and implements programs designed to ensure adherence to cost estimates, project deadlines, safety practices, and to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
· Provides direction to subordinate supervisory personnel responsible for executing program objectives, policies, and work plans to ensure the attainment of program goals.
· Oversees the preparation of and completes staff performance appraisals, initiates employee disciplinary actions and attends disciplinary hearings as required. Performs other related duties as required.
Additional duties may be required for this position.
Location: Various
Shift: Various
Hours: Various
THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE
Qualifications:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
Education, Training, and Experience
Ten (10) years of general construction work experience in the areas of water, sewer or underground utilities construction, including six (6) years of management/supervision of large operations involving multiple crews performing water main OR sewer pipeline repair, maintenance or new construction installation work, OR
Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in Business Administration, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a directly related field PLUS eight (8) years of general construction work experience in the areas of water, sewer or underground utilities construction including six (6) years of management/supervision work experience of large operations involving multiple crews performing water main OR sewer pipeline repair, maintenance or new construction installation work, OR
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a directly related field PLUS six (6) years of general construction work experience in the areas of water, sewer or underground utilities construction including six (6) years of management/supervision work experience of large operations involving multiple crews performing water main OR sewer pipeline repair, maintenance or new construction installation work, OR
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Business Administration, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a directly related field PLUS five (5) years of general construction work experience in the areas of water, sewer or underground utilities construction including six (6) years of management/supervision work experience of large operations involving multiple crews performing water main OR sewer pipeline repair, maintenance or new construction installation work
Licensure, Certification, or Other Qualifications
A valid State of Illinois driver's license is required
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge
Comprehensive knowledge of:
municipal sewer or water distribution systems
equipment and materials specific to sewer or water distribution systems
methods and procedures applicable to repair and maintenance of water mains, valves, hydrants, catch basins and other appurtenances
use of safety equipment and protective gear
management and supervisory methods, practices, and procedures
budgetary and fiscal management practices
properties and characteristics of materials applicable to various construction projects
excavation and backfilling methods, practices, and procedures
applicable safety and code standards specific to construction projects, including OSHA
standards
applicable federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, and guidelines
applicable City programs related to various construction projects and their funding guidelines
geographical locations within the City and applicable facilities
knowledge of applicable City and department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
Skills
CRITICAL THINKING - Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems
MONITORING - Monitor and assess performance of one's self, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action
COMPLEX PROBLEM SOLVING - Identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
MANAGEMENT OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES - Determine how money will be spent to get the work done and account for these expenditures
MANAGEMENT OF MATERIAL RESOURCES - Obtain and see to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work
MANAGEMENT OF PERSONNEL RESOURCES - Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work and identify the best people for the job
COORDINATION WITH OTHERS - Adjust actions in relation to others' actions.
Abilities
COMPREHEND ORAL INFORMATION - Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
SPEAK - Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
COMPREHEND WRITTEN INFORMATION - Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
WRITE - Communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand
REASON TO SOLVE PROBLEMS - Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense
REACH CONCLUSIONS - Combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events)
SELECTION REQUIREMENTS : This position requires an applicant to successfully complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the interview and assessment, will be selected.
For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html
For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp\info/JobClassification/2025\Classification\and\Pay_Plan.pdf
APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here. (https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dhr/provdrs/emp.html)
ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.
The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.
City of Chicago
Brandon Johnson, Mayor
Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on 6/01/2026
