The City of Great Bend announced the appointment of Darren Doonan as Utilities Director at its City Council meeting on August 18. Doonan previously served as the Supervisor of Public Utilities for the last year where he managed the operation and maintenance of equipment, as well as repairs to water main line leaks and failures.

A new position for the city, the Utilities Director will oversee all water related maintenance, operation and management for the city’s delivery system, sewage collection, disposal system and stormwater infrastructure, as well as the airport’s water system. Prior to Doonan’s appointment, these responsibilities were underneath the Public Works Director.

A Barton County native, Doonan graduated from Hoisington High School in 2008 and spent three years in the Great Bend Fire/EMS Department from 2009 to 2012. He returned to the City of Great Bend in April 2023 in a Service Person II role and was promoted to supervisor within his first 16 months of service. Doonan also serves as the chair on the city’s safety committee.

This past April, Doonan was awarded the Kansas Municipal Utilities Water Operator Award of Excellence, an annual award given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the municipal utility industry and their communities.

Before coming back to Great Bend, Doonan spent two years in Salina as a production manager for Shull Construction where he managed materials and oversaw jobs in the field. In 2020, he earned the Top-Notch Award and was the top of his class at Watco Transportations Engineering School. He has earned certification and licenses in 42 utilities, driving, fire and operation related fields.

The City of Great Bend is looking to fill its Public Works Director position. Interested applicants should contact the human resources department at 620-793-4111 or via email at rkeasling@greatbendks.net. Online applications and a complete job description are also available at https://ks-greatbend.criterionhcm.com/jobs/475/1/#21.