Confidential Opportunity
Superintendent
Water & Wastewater Construction
A direct-hire opportunity with a specialized Northeast water and wastewater contractor. Approximately $500M in backlog, complex infrastructure projects, and a team with strong long-term retention.
Why This Is Worth Exploring
The Numbers That Matter
~$500M
Current Backlog
Consistent pipeline of water and wastewater work across the Northeast — not a company chasing the next job.
$750M+
5-Year Backlog Target
Active pursuit of additional work positions the company for continued growth over the next several years.
Up to 9%
401(k) Combined Contribution
Contribute 6% and the company adds 3% — bringing the combined total to 9% of your salary going toward retirement.
$20K+
Bonus Potential
Year-end performance bonus structured as a percentage of base salary. Can exceed $20,000 depending on performance and compensation level.
~80%
Health Premium Covered
Company covers approximately 80% of health insurance premiums, plus roughly 50% of the deductible for individual and family coverage.
Low
Employee Turnover
Many core employees have been with the company since early in their careers. That kind of retention doesn't happen by accident.
The Company
C.H. Nickerson & Company
Nickerson works across municipal, infrastructure, commercial, institutional, and industrial markets — with a heavy concentration in water and wastewater treatment. Projects range from smaller municipal work to contracts exceeding $160 million.
The company has built a reputation for strong employee retention. Many of their core people have been with Nickerson since early in their careers — a signal of how the company operates internally.
Leadership maintains an open-door culture and invests in training new hires and setting them up for long-term success. Growth is ongoing, and the company continues to reinvest that growth back into its people.
Company Stability
Built on Backlog
Nickerson enters this search with a strong book of business and an active pipeline. The work is there. The question is whether the right person is.
CT · MA · RI
Primary Markets
~$500M
Current Backlog
$160M+
Largest Project Size
$750M+
5-Year Backlog Target
Backlog figures are based on information available at the time of this search and are subject to change. Candidates should verify current project pipeline during the interview process.
Project Environment
The Work You'd Be Running
Nickerson's portfolio is concentrated in water and wastewater infrastructure — technically complex work that requires experienced field leadership to execute well.
Water Treatment Plants
New construction and rehabilitation of municipal water treatment facilities, including filtration, chemical feed, and process equipment.
Wastewater Treatment Plants
Primary and secondary treatment systems, clarifiers, aeration basins, and associated mechanical and electrical coordination.
Pump Stations
Wet wells, dry wells, force mains, and control systems for municipal and industrial clients.
Utilities & Infrastructure
Underground utilities, site infrastructure, and treatment plant upgrades and expansions across municipal and institutional markets.
Common Project Components
The Role
Typical Superintendent Responsibilities
The responsibilities below reflect standard field leadership expectations for a Superintendent on water and wastewater construction projects. Specific scope and reporting structure will be discussed during a confidential conversation.
- Manage day-to-day field operations from mobilization through closeout
- Coordinate subcontractors and field crews to maintain schedule and quality
- Develop and maintain short-term and look-ahead schedules
- Oversee site logistics, sequencing, and material deliveries
- Enforce safety protocols, conduct toolbox talks, and maintain field documentation
- Coordinate with Project Managers and Project Engineers on RFIs, submittals, and owner communications
- Monitor field progress and identify schedule risks and conflicts early
- Coordinate inspections and support project startup, punch-list, and closeout
Who This May Be a Good Fit For
This May Be Worth Exploring If You Have Experience With
Nickerson is open to candidates across experience levels. The common thread is field construction experience with some connection to water, wastewater, or related infrastructure work.
- You've worked on water treatment plants, wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, or related municipal infrastructure in any capacity.
- Your background is in heavy civil, underground utilities, or environmental construction — work that translates well to the technical demands of water infrastructure.
- You have hands-on experience with structural concrete, process piping, or mechanical systems in a field leadership role.
- You've managed subcontractors, coordinated crews, and taken ownership of field execution — regardless of the specific project type.
Compensation & Benefits
What the Package Looks Like
The specifics below reflect what's been shared as part of this search. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process.
Base Salary
Competitive — commensurate with experience
Range discussed during interview process
Year-End Bonus
$20,000+ potential
Percentage of base salary, performance-based
401(k)
Up to 9% combined contribution
Contribute 6%, company adds 3%
Health Insurance
~80% premium covered
Plus ~50% of deductible, individual & family
Dental
Standard dental coverage
~$1,000 annual limit, cleanings covered
Time Off
3 weeks PTO
Plus 7 holidays and 5 sick days
Field Package
Vehicle support, gas card, phone, laptop
Where applicable to the role
Culture & Work Environment
What It's Like to Work There
Nickerson describes itself as a family-oriented company with an open-door leadership style. That's a common claim — but their retention numbers back it up. Many core employees have been with the company since early in their careers.
The company invests in training new hires and setting them up for long-term success. Growth is ongoing, and leadership has been intentional about reinvesting that growth back into the people doing the work.
This is field-focused, technically demanding work. You'll be expected to lead, make decisions, and deliver results — but you'll have the support of a stable, experienced organization behind you.
Seen enough to be curious?
Start a Confidential ConversationWhat Success Looks Like
How We'd Define a Strong First Year
Projects Run on Schedule
You've taken ownership of your project schedule and are hitting milestones. Delays are identified early and communicated — not discovered by the PM.
Crew Performing Well
The people working under you are productive, safe, and clear on expectations. You've built a functional team dynamic on the jobsite.
Owner Relationship Is Strong
The owner and engineer trust you. They're not going around you to the PM. You're the face of Nickerson on that project.
You're Already Thinking About the Next One
You've demonstrated enough that leadership is already thinking about what project you'll run next. That's the clearest sign it's working.
Candidate FAQs
Questions We Hear Most
Is this a confidential search?
Yes. Your interest will not be shared with Nickerson without your explicit consent. We'll have a conversation first, and you decide whether to move forward.
What's the salary range?
Nickerson hasn't published a fixed range for this search — compensation is structured around the candidate's experience. We'll discuss expectations early in our conversation so there are no surprises.
Do I need direct water/wastewater experience?
It helps, but Nickerson is open to candidates with backgrounds in heavy civil, utility, or environmental construction. If your experience is adjacent, it's worth a conversation.
Is relocation required?
The work is based in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. If you're not already in the region, relocation would likely be required. Relocation assistance is something to discuss directly with Nickerson.
What does the interview process look like?
Typically an initial conversation with us, followed by direct interviews with Nickerson's leadership team. The process is straightforward — they're not running candidates through six rounds.
Honest Assessment
This May Not Be the Right Fit If…
- ✕You want to move away from field construction entirely. This is a hands-on Superintendent role — you're on the jobsite.
- ✕Your background has no connection to water, wastewater, heavy civil, utility, or environmental construction. The technical environment is specific enough that some relevant experience matters.
- ✕You're looking for remote or hybrid work. Field presence is a core part of this role.
- ✕You're not open to working in Connecticut, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island. The work is regional.
Ready to Learn More
Let's Have a Conversation
No commitment, no pressure. If this looks like it could be worth exploring, reach out and we'll talk through the details confidentially.
All inquiries are handled confidentially. Your information will not be shared without your consent.