Under the Supervision of the General Manager, the Chief Engineer is the department head with direction and oversight over all personnel, programs and activities related to the research, master planning, design, and construction of the capital improvement program, capital outlay and the District’s water distribution system and its facilities. This position leads the organization in the development and application of engineering standards and specifications, regulatory compliance and District policies and procedures for all projects and participates as a member of the management team in meeting organizational, team, and department priorities to achieve strategic objectives.
Duties will include any activities within primary scope of responsibilities as they pertain to the integration and continuity of our partnership initiative.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
The omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position.
• Directly supervise and evaluate a staff of engineers and technicians with department oversight over Distribution and Maintenance staff to develop and establish department goals and objectives, performance expectations, coach and monitor individual staff progress, identify training needs to develop key competencies making recommendations for hiring, recognition and disciplinary actions to the General Manager and Human Resources.
• Develop master planning for the District, identifying funding requirements, forecasting, short- and long-term capital improvements and determine infrastructure maintenance and development priorities to meet legal, financial and District requirements.
• Participate in developing strategic goals and objectives for the District, supporting implementation plans.
• Responsible for the development of department project budgets and schedules.
• Oversee the District’s capital improvement (CIPs), capital outlay and private development programs, the operation and maintenance of the District’s water distribution system and District facilities providing oversight on designated construction projects in compliance with District and industry standards, County requirements and other guidelines to ensure the provision of efficient, timely and high-quality service to all constituents.
• Oversee the preparation and maintenance of the District’s water system maps and hydraulic models.
• Develop, update and ensure adherence to standards and guidelines for the design and preparation of engineering studies, plans and specifications related to waterlines, pump stations, reservoirs and related facilities for water production, transmission, distribution and storage.
• Recommend and oversee the work of consultants and contractors, performing quality assurance and control, ensuring work complies with District and other requirements, including meeting budgetary and project requirements.
• Participate in the bidding process and make bid award recommendations to the General Manager per contracting and District requirements.
• Develop and review construction and materials supply specifications, including the review of new materials, and supplies for construction.
• Advise and consult with other departments on matters related to materials and construction standards, backflow protection, water distribution, water quality and treatment processes, and maintenance programs for potential impacts on water systems to minimize costs, ensure efficiencies and to meet or exceed regulatory requirements.
• Routinely serve as the district’s representative and technical expert to the district, industry leaders, clients, customers, government agencies and water utilities for engineering-related issues affecting the water system.
• Prepare special reports and presentations for the General Manager to present to the Board, Budget Committee and other key stakeholders as needed.
• Prepares the annual department budget, including determining services, purchases and allocation of services. Monitors departmental expenditures.
• Remain current and informed on new developments and requirements affecting the organization, the profession and the industry; recommend any necessary changes in programs or applications.
• Provide relevant and timely data to the General Manager on System Operations activities.
• Perform other duties if related and similar or as required by the General Manager.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education, Training and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering
• Ten years of progressively responsible experience as a civil engineer in public works or water utility, five of which are in a management capacity; or an equivalent combination of relevant training and/or experience
• Registered Oregon Professional Engineer
• Valid driver’s license and satisfactory driving record
Knowledge and understanding in:
• Civil engineering, design and planning theory, principles and practices for municipal water systems.
• Strategic planning theory, principles and application
• Budget preparation and control within a special district or public sector environment.
• Theory, principles and demonstrated application of effective supervision, human resources practices and policy administration.
• Problem resolution techniques.
• Project management methods, techniques and application for complex engineering projects.
• Capital construction management methods, principles and practices.
• Contracting principles, practices and application.
• Water system infrastructure, maintenance and facilities.
• Hydraulics, hydraulic modeling and application to water system planning and design.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS), CAD, AutoCAD and mapping principles, practices and application to water system planning.
• Report writing and fulfilling responsibilities to regulating agencies.
• Regulations, laws and standards governing water utility construction, maintenance and engineering activity.
• Safety, health and environmental regulations and practices applicable to engineering and water utilities.
• Personal computers and related office, engineering, hydraulic modeling and Geographic Information System (GIS) software.
Skills and Abilities to:
• Effectively lead, supervise, train, coach and evaluate the work of others to produce quality outcomes within standards, policies and budgetary restraints.
• Inspire and motivate others to reach individual potential and team objectives.
• Delegate work to others.
• Exercise immediate responsibility and authority over combined resources, i.e., people, capital plans and equipment to ensure workflow efficiencies and meet organizational objectives.
• Resolve problems or conflict in a positive and professional manner.
• Effectively communicate complex, technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences with awareness of potentially controversial or sensitive issues to diplomatically resolve conflict, gain consensus and maintain respectful and harmonious relations.
• Protect and maintain appropriate stewardship over the district’s assets and other resources.
• Develop and prepare department budgets monitoring and controlling expenditures.
• Perform independently or in a team environment.
• Make decisions using independent judgment and initiative in compliance with established policies.
• Perform exceptional analytical and problem resolution skills to identify and evaluate alternative solutions and determine organizational impact of recommended actions.
• Read, write and interpret policies, procedures, technical reports, construction plans and detailed maps.
• Provide effective written and verbal communication in the preparation of reports, presentations and other documents to varied audiences.
• Participate in and facilitate group and team meetings.
• Willingly, actively comply with and support District, management and Board policies and operating procedures.
WORKING CONDITIONS
While performing this job, the employee is required to develop and apply written and oral communications; read, write and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems; use math/mathematical skills; perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines, on multiple, concurrent tasks; work with constant interruption and interact with officials, outside engineers, developers and the public. REPEATEDLY required to sit, walk, talk and hear both in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, grasp and feel objects or controls. Employee will occasionally stand, lift, carry, push and/or pull up to 25 lbs. or otherwise move objects.
OCCASIONAL drive light duty trucks and use of foot controls, mechanical and electrical hazards; odors, fumes and dust from excavations; exposure to confined spaces; bending, stooping, squatting, reaching above shoulder height, kneeling, crawling, climbing, pushing/pulling, bending or twisting and lifting objects between 26- 50 lbs. without assistance to accomplish tasks. INFREQUENT lifting objects over 50 lbs. with assistance and grasping power tools.
Vision: Specific vision abilities required by this position include normal visual range with or without correction and sufficient vision to read computer screens and printed documents.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.