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#WatertownWorks: City Highlights Dedicated Team Keeping the Community Running

Four people in different settings: a worker by a truck, a man with a dog in snow, a person at monitors, and a smiling man indoors. City of Watertown logo.

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - The City of Watertown has released its latest installment of the “#WatertownWorks” series, a monthly feature shining a spotlight on the diverse individuals behind the municipal services that keep the city safe, functional, and growing.


From the streets we drive on to the emergency calls that protect us, this month’s featured employees represent decades of combined experience and a shared commitment to public service.

Person in a yellow safety vest and cap stands smiling in front of a black truck with Watertown Public Works text, under a clear blue sky.

Jillian Draeger – Street Division

Since joining the city in July 2025, Jillian Draeger has become a versatile asset to the Street Division. As a Street Operator I, her duties shift with South Dakota’s unpredictable seasons—plowing and sanding during the winter months and pivoting to asphalt patching in the summer.


Draeger, who recently diagnosed and fixed a persistent electrical issue in a city truck, says she thrives on the variety of the job. When she isn’t maintaining Watertown’s infrastructure, you can likely find her near the water; she is an avid swimmer and fisherman who jokes that her dream superpower would be the ability to breathe underwater.

Man in red cap and green shirt kneels next to a black dog in snow. They're in front of a red sign that reads "GOLF COURSE SHOP."

Scott Schunter – Cattail Crossing Golf Course

For the past two years, Scott Schunter has served as the Golf Course Superintendent at Cattail Crossing. His role is a complex mix of turf science and mechanical management, overseeing a fleet of equipment and a massive 1,000-head irrigation system.


Schunter says he takes immense pride in the course’s improved playability. A diehard Iowa State fan, he spends his free time hunting, fishing, and training his eight-month-old puppy, Popeye. His preferred superpower? Teleportation—specifically to bypass the hassles of airport travel.

A woman sits smiling at a control center. Multiple monitors display data. She's wearing a black shirt with "911" text. The mood is professional.

Angie Schaefer – Watertown Police Department

With 22 years of service to the city, Angie Schaefer is a true pioneer in local law enforcement. Having served as Watertown’s first female police officer, she now holds the title of the city’s first 911 Assistant Communications Director.


Schaefer assists Director Troy VanDusen in managing day-to-day dispatch operations and quality assurance. She describes the department as her “home away from home” and recently celebrated the personal milestone of earning her bachelor’s degree in 2024. Outside the office, she enjoys traveling and working on Springbok puzzles with her family.

Smiling man in a navy shirt with "City of Watertown" logo. Background shows an aerial image of structures. Glasses reflect screen light.

Bradley Miles – Wastewater Treatment Facility

A veteran of the city for nearly 19 years, Bradley Miles oversees the critical daily operations of the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Miles is currently focused on a massive facility upgrade project designed to serve Watertown’s needs for decades to come.


Known for his problem-solving skills, Miles enjoys the technical challenges of his role. His life outside of work is just as active; he recently joined a curling team, is teaching himself to play guitar, and enjoys spending time with his 13 grandchildren.

The #WatertownWorks series continues to offer residents a behind-the-scenes look at local government. As Public Information Officer Kelli Fritz noted, these features serve as a reminder that the city’s strength lies in the dedicated people who show up every day to serve.


For more information on city services and staff, visit www.watertownsd.us.

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