Utility Engineer
POSITION SUMMARY
The Utility Engineer provides leadership over assigned functions of the Waterworks’ Engineering Department in joint coordination with other Utility Engineer(s). The Utility Engineer manages the execution of capital projects, ensuring quality control for planning, design, and construction of system infrastructure; performs in-house design of select projects; and supervises assigned EIT, technician, and inspection staff in the performance of the Department’s responsibilities. The Utility Engineer works collaboratively with other Utility Engineer(s) under the direction of the General Manager. The Utility Engineer reports to the General Manager and is evaluated according to the performance of assigned and general responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
· Serves as a member of the Waterworks’ executive management team, working closely with other Department Directors to guide long-range infrastructure planning and to provide engineering support for day-to-day operations.
· Maintains and applies knowledge of current and emerging engineering industry practices, water and wastewater regulations, and emergency service standards. Advises the General Manager and Board of Trustees on regulatory and technical issues potentially affecting delivery, quality, or cost of service. Represents the Waterworks before local, state, and federal governmental agencies and private business as directed.
· Guides and manages master planning studies and capital improvements programs to meet objectives set by the Board of Trustees and the General Manager. Prepares annual budgets based on program schedules and priorities, adjusting as necessary to meet new challenges.
· Manages or performs the planning, design, and construction of water and wastewater capital improvement projects to ensure conformance with capital improvement program objectives, Waterworks’ engineering standards, regulatory standards, and the system’s operational requirements. Performs in-house design of select CIP projects.
o Assesses needs and establishes design objectives
o Develops and manages contracts for engineering consultants, vendors, and construction contractors
o Reviews performance and deliverables for quality, consistency, budget constraints, and technical accuracy
o Maintains project focus on established project goals and priorities
o Tracks project schedules, leads project meetings, reviews invoices for payment
o Manages land acquisition for rights-of-way and easements
o Maintains cost controls
· Oversees or performs the review of plans and specifications for water and wastewater infrastructure projects sponsored by private development. Directs modification of design and construction submittals based on design standards, ordinances, and master plan objectives. Oversees the progress and field inspection of construction.
· Directs, manages, coordinates, trains, and supervises EIT, technician, and inspection staff in performance of responsibilities
o Capital improvement project management and in-house design
o Generating work orders for main taps and service lines
o Plan review for proposed private development
o Maintaining and editing the Waterworks’ GIS database
o Mapping system assets, drafting design drawings
o Construction inspection
o Management of consultant services
o Performing topographical surveys of capital assets
o Creating technical reports.
· Identifies staff training needs and opportunities; monitors performance and conducts performance evaluations.
· Develops, maintains, and updates engineering design and construction standards for water and wastewater infrastructure. Establishes, updates and reviews Engineering Department procedures and processes. Evaluates and reviews ordinances, policies, and fees related to water and wastewater infrastructure and services; proposes and prepares ordinance and policy updates addressing changing conditions, regulatory requirements, and costs.
· Develops, implements, and maintains asset management programs for infrastructure to optimize asset life, function, and cost. Performs condition assessment inspections of Waterworks assets in coordination with operations management to prioritize, budget, and ensure proactive repair, upgrade, or replacement of deteriorating assets before the point of failure.
· Prepares regular and special reports on Department operations and capital improvement projects. Communicates technical information and interfaces with the General Manager, Board of Trustees, City officials and departments, business entities, civic groups, regulatory agencies, and the general public.
· Manages and oversees QA/QC for GIS-based mapping and inventory of infrastructure assets. Coordinates with operations departments to ensure GIS inventory and mapping is promptly and consistently updated with highest level of accuracy possible. Advances and supports utilization of GIS-based work management tools for engineering, operations, and customer service functions.
· Prepares and updates reports pertaining to departmental activities, budgets, and projects. Monitors the inventory of the departmental supplies and equipment, ordering new materials as needed to complete various projects, purchasing tools, approving expenditures by department staff.