The purpose of this position is to provide and supervise distribution engineering staff in the development of detailed designs, calculations, cost estimates, plans, drawings, specifications for contract documents, and evaluations of various types of water works improvement projects. Coordinate engineering and administration of construction between WaterOne and other utilities, engineering firms, developers, and public works entities. Operate in a consulting capacity to other departments on technical engineering issues when assigned.
Pay Range: From $106,900
Essential Functions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Review plans submitted by outside entities for municipal capital improvement projects and determine effects on WaterOne facilities.
- Assist other departments by providing technical engineering opinions and data.
- Assist with developing overall departmental priorities for and scheduling of WaterOne construction crews.
- Assist and advise WaterOne construction personnel to ensure complete understanding of project intent and on issues that develop prior to or during construction.
- Provide construction oversight of water main extension process for developer-initiated projects.
- Maintain knowledge of current issues related to the water industry, including materials, processes, condition assessment technologies, and technology for new and rehabilitated mains.
- Continually work toward improving knowledge of the nuances of the entire distribution system, pressure zones, chronic low or high-pressure areas, deficiencies of mains, and fire protection.
- Develop, maintain, and update design criteria, material standards, and construction standards for the distribution system including water distribution and transmission mains.
- Analyze and interpret distribution system hydraulic data and hydraulic modeling data. Analyze system pressure records for response to internal and external customer inquiries.
- Assist with developing, maintaining, and updating WaterOne Standard Operating Practices.
- Assist with developing and maintaining an ongoing asset management plan for the distribution system.
- Provide updates to the WaterOne Board on the status of asset management activities.
- Develop pipe leak/break data trends – type of break and cause of break searchable by pipe type, location, and soil type.
- Develop pipe wear out costs/trends – full cost of leak/break repair searchable by pipe type or location and nonrevenue water/leakage trends.
- Develop customer outage performance standards/trends through surveys of customers.
- Develop actual performance standards and decision matrix methodology for main replacements.
- Coordinate capital improvement programs of the municipalities served with WaterOne’s Transmission & Distribution (T&D) capital improvement program for relocation, general improvement, replacement, and condition assessment projects.
- Ensure WaterOne construction methods for pipeline rehabilitation/replacement/relocation/new construction are utilizing the latest and most cost-effective techniques.
- Responsible for updating and maintenance of the WaterOne Asset Management software model.
- Ensure that projects are properly accomplished, designed to WaterOne and industry standards, and accurate engineering plans of water distribution mains and facilities by providing technical assistance based on sound engineering principles and oversight to engineering staff and the Mapping & Drafting Department.
- Ensure that master plan mains, replacement mains, relocation mains, condition assessment projects, and general improvement mains are well designed and that the projects are in compliance with the WaterOne T&D budget, its Comprehensive Master Plan budget, and/or the cost estimate submitted.
- Ensure completion of all projects on time by complying with project schedules based on project priorities, city improvement project timeframes, and/or assigned target dates.
- Draft comprehensive specifications necessary to obtain materials, services, and equipment at the best price. This may include value analysis and recommendations on purchasing.
- Act as WaterOne liaison for projects designed and administered by outside engineering consultants.
- Review and comment on all designs, reports, specifications, and recommendations completed by outside engineering consultants on behalf of WaterOne.
- Communicate and coordinate with municipalities, consulting engineers, other utilities, and fire protection entities in matters relating to the WaterOne Distribution System.
- Ensure all projects are in compliance with WaterOne Rules and Regulations.
- Prepare Action Item Summaries, Resolutions, and Declarations for Board action.
- Coordinate the easement acquisition process in conjunction with waterworks projects.
- Determine proposed water main sizes for new developing areas and existing areas for domestic and fire protection.
- Manage all aspects of waterworks projects including the design, development of detailed plans, specifications, contract documents, cost estimates, easement acquisitions, bidding process, construction phases, schedules, and pay estimates.
- Manage and coordinate WaterOne projects related to the distribution system.
- Direct the activities of, delegate work to, guide/support, and provide priorities to assigned engineering staff.
- Provide estimates and projections of anticipated annual costs of main replacements, rehabilitations, relocations, transmission main capital, condition assessment, and general improvement projects for annual budgeting purposes.
- Maintain communications with area professionals in related fields such as city, state, and county public works, fire departments, and street and highway departments in matters relating to the WaterOne distribution system. Ensure understanding between WaterOne and outside organizations by using objectivity, understanding, and proactive communication.
- Prepare and oversee Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans for projects.
- Complete design, cost analysis of various methods/alignments, and cost estimate of waterworks facilities related to new construction, relocations, and/or replacements based on WaterOne Standards.
- Continue professional growth and development by attending conferences/seminars/workshops/webinars.
- Supervisory duties to process time sheets, monitor and control absences, and prepare performance appraisals for assigned staff.
- Act as Manager of Distribution Engineering during Manager’s absence.
Other Duties
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Customer Service Commitment
WaterOne employees shall continuously strive to meet or exceed the expectations of both their internal and external customers. Questions and concerns shall be acknowledged on the same day whenever possible, but no later than the next business day. Issues shall be resolved as promptly as possible, with the goal of maximizing customer satisfaction.
Supervisory Responsibility
Project Engineers
Engineering Technicians
Engineering Interns
Construction Inspectors
Required Education, Skills & Experience
- Bachelor of Science degree in Civil or Mechanical or comparable Engineering studies from an accredited university.
- Professional Engineering license in the State of Kansas or current eligibility to apply for certification is required.
- Certification by California State University Sacramento in Water Distribution System Operation and Maintenance is required within 12 months of date in position.
- Certification as a Grade IV Water Distribution Operator is required within 24 months of date in position.
- Seven years of experience in engineering and technical work, preferably with a water utility, with a thorough knowledge of engineering theory and practice.
- Demonstrated strong leadership skills. Ability to maintain a positive attitude and provide direction, guidance, inspiration, and support to the workforce and foster a high respect/high performance environment.
- Well organized and able to set priorities for self and others. Ability to work independently, delegate projects to individuals, and track multiple workloads effectively.
- Ability to maintain good working relationships and be teamwork oriented. Must have a cooperative attitude and exhibit diplomacy, respect, and sound judgement when working with coworkers, customers, developers, contractors, outside engineering firms, and municipalities.
- Ability to approach problem solving in a logical manner with attention to detail and without direct supervision. Proven ability to exercise good judgment and be innovative.
- Demonstrated efficiency at recognizing and focusing on the important priorities without direct supervision.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to communicate with engineering staff, construction staff, other WaterOne department members, the public, contractors, city officials, and developers.
- Ability to work on and lead/oversee multiple projects concurrently.
- Ability to independently assimilate information from several sources to complete a project.
- Proficiency in reading and interpreting engineering drawings and developing design drawings and specifications for construction of water works improvements.
- Proficiency in preparing and administering construction contract documents and water utility construction, including pipeline relocation, new construction, rehabilitation and replacement.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of software with emphasis in SharePoint, Power Point, Excel, Word, and Outlook.
- Proficiency or ability to become proficient in the use of SAP, GIS, and AIMS software applications.
- Proficiency or ability to become proficient in easements, easement acquisitions, legal descriptions of land, and the eminent domain process.
- Knowledge of issues affecting water utilities, including nonrevenue water analysis, corrosion principles affecting buried pipelines, and condition assessment technologies and pipeline inspection practices.
- Knowledge of the WaterOne asset management program for the distribution system.
- Project a professional image and demeanor.
- Ability to respond to occasional emergencies, which may occur outside normal work hours.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and continuously meet WaterOne driving standards.
- Must pass post offer medical exam, including drug screen and background verification (may not apply to current employees).
Preferred Education, Skills & Experience
- Postgraduate degree in Engineering and/or Business Administration.
- Construction experience.
- Proficiency with SAP, GIS, and AIMS software applications.
- Completion of management courses/training.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally lift/or move up to 40 pounds. The employee must be able to use a computer for multiple hours a day. The employee must be able to move occasionally from one location to another or be able to remain in a stationary position for up to several hours a day, in possibly unfavorable weather and/or site conditions. The employee must be in possession of a licenses and be able to operate a vehicle at any given time. The employee must be able to use office productivity equipment such as a personal computer, calculator, printer, and copy machine. The employee must be able to occasionally position self to inspect or view field activities.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This job operates in both the field and a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate except when in the field on a jobsite.
WaterOne provides a total compensation package that includes:
- Competitive base pay
- Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and LTD insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Company funded Cash Balance Plan
- Company match Defined Contribution Plan
- Comprehensive wellness program
- Educational assistance program
- A variety of other benefit programs and activities
Equal Opportunity Employer
WaterOne is an equal opportunity employer and upholds a non-discrimination policy. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, military status, or marital status in making employment and business decisions. We also prohibit harassment and retaliation in the workplace and in our dealings with the public. We encourage and welcome diversity of backgrounds in our workforce. WaterOne complies with the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA).
Complete job description is available upon request and will be provided during the selection process.