Engineering Manager - Infrastructure and Inspection

Definition:

• Plan, direct, perform, supervise, and review the activities of routine and advanced level engineering work associated with water facilities planning, design, development, and street improvements for the Sweetwater Authority (Authority) Engineering and Operations Department.
• Plan, direct, perform and review the activities of routine and advanced level engineering work in the areas of construction management and inspection.
• Provide functional and technical staff assistance in conjunction with and in the absence of the Director of Engineering and Operations.

Supervision Received/Exercised:

• General direction and supervision is provided by the Assistant General Manager or General Manager. Direct supervision is provided by the Director of Engineering and Operations. Responsibilities include direct supervision of the Principal Engineer, Engineering Technician Supervisor, and general direction and supervision of the Principal Engineering Technicians, Senior Engineering Technician and Engineering Technician.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Example of Duties/Responsibilities:

General –

• Supervise staff: Prioritize and assign work; establish and advise staff of performance requirements; ensure staff is trained; ensure that employees follow policies and procedures; provide support, mentoring, and coaching for performance improvement and development; observe and document performance; prepare supporting documentation and write performance reviews; conduct performance review presentations; recommend employee recognition and disciplinary action, up to and including termination, in accordance with established personnel rules, policies, and labor contract provisions; maintain a positive, healthy, and safe working environment.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies and priorities.
• Assist in resolving work problems and interpret policies to subordinates, other departments and the public.
• Coordinate engineering activities with other Authority departments, divisions and sections and with outside agencies.
• Respond to and resolve challenging customer and contractor inquiries and complaints.
• Represent the Authority at a variety of meetings within and outside the organization.
• Supervise collection and recording of statistical records.
• Prepare memos, reports, and deliver oral presentations for Management, Board committees, Board of Directors, and outside governmental regulatory agencies.
• Prepare Request for Proposals (RFP) and/or Requests for Qualifications (RFQ); assist in evaluating and selecting consultants; negotiate and administer agreements for studies, design, construction management, inspection and other services, and manage consultants work pertaining to area of responsibility.
• Provide managerial guidance to project managers or serve as the project manager in the planning, design, preparation and construction of routine or special projects utilizing in-house staff, consulting engineering firms and construction contractors; prepare and review cost estimates; review drawings and specifications for compliance with Authority standards; interpret specifications and Authority policies and initiate or review change orders; and seal final design plans in the absence of the Director of Engineering and Operations. Prepare and administer contracts, mediate problems, interpret plans and specifications, resolve contractor disputes, negotiate change orders, evaluate claims associated with construction contracts and serve as a representative of the Authority with contractors, consultants and others. Provide leadership and work with supervisors and staff to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment which supports achieving the Authority’s mission and values; apply process improvement and quality management principles to assigned areas of responsibility. Represent the Authority with consultants and contractors; prepare correspondence on technical engineering issues; coordinate water utility and general engineering and planning activities with other departments and outside agencies; revise design and construction standards to improve methods, procedures and practices; make expert interpretations of applicable laws, regulations, policies and design standards. Mentor, train, evaluate, coach, counsel and instruct subordinate engineers and technical support staff in all phases of assigned duties and office procedures. Represent the Authority in negotiations with developers, contractors, and consultants on fees and charges associated with design and construction of new facilities. Review, evaluate, and report on work prepared by consultants and administer consultant contracts, including approval of invoices. Manage and participate in the planning, prioritization, scoping, implementation, budgeting, and administration of capital improvement/replacement and maintenance projects. Prepare and review a wide array of technical correspondence and documentation, such as studies, reports, letter correspondence, requests for proposals, Board memos, agreements, contract specifications, cost estimates, legal advertisements, graphic displays, etc. Prepare, review, and coordinate preparation of project-related studies and documentation required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Participate in the preparation, administration, and monitoring of the Department budget and anticipate future budgetary needs.
• Assume Department Head responsibilities as assigned in the absence of the Director of Engineering and Operations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, customers, vendors, Board members, and the public.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Water Facilities Planning/Design/Development/Street Improvement/Inspection –

• Supervise the review and processing of improvement plans from outside agencies.
• Supervise, plan, and implement a program for cathodic protection of metallic water mains and water tanks.
• Develop, manage and maintain the Authority’s Water Distribution System Master Plan, and all programs for pipeline replacement, cathodic protection, pavement replacement, and water storage tank coating and seismic compliance.
• Supervise and participate in the review and processing of plans for private developments to insure they meet Authority policies and standards.
• Supervise and participate in the preparation of work orders for project construction.
• Manage the Authority's Standard Specifications for Construction of Water Facilities, Design Standards, and construction contract boilerplate documents.
• Perform hydraulic modeling or supervise the work of technical staff and/or consultants engaged in hydraulic modeling of the Authority’s water distribution system. Supervise and participate in the Authority’s Easement Maintenance program; oversee the preparation of right-of-way documents by Authority staff or consultants.

• Work with Authority customers to resolve easement encroachments.
• Oversee in the development of complex plans, estimates and specifications for construction and repair of water utility systems.
• Ensure coordination with contractors and engineers regarding proposals, specifications, project problems and water utility facility requirements.

• Ensure coordination with other department and agencies affected by construction projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of civil engineering, design and construction.
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Principles and practices of land surveying and mapping.
• Investigation, planning, design and construction of water works projects.
• Applicable laws, regulatory codes and practices, and Authority specifications related to development and construction of water facilities.
• Best Management practices and state and federal safety regulations related to confined spaces and construction practices.
• Policies and regulations governing the construction, connections, disinfection, extension and maintenance of water systems and facilities.
• Management and supervisory principles and practices, including: budgeting, goals and objectives development, personnel management, work planning, administration, and organization.
• Modern methods, techniques, equipment, and materials used in the design and construction of a wide variety of waterworks capital projects.
• Principles, practices, equipment, materials and standards involved in the inspection of pipeline systems, and related structures.
• Principles, practices, and methods of engineering economics, statistics, implementation, and management.
• Applicable laws and regulations, including industry standards for system operation and inspection.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information regarding civil engineering.
• Computer systems and applications commonly used in engineering.
• Modern office procedures and practices, equipment, and clerical techniques.
• Computer programs and software, including Microsoft Office applications (including MS Project), ArcGIS, and Innovyze InfoWater and/or Innovyze InfoWater Pro, Virtual Project Manager (or other), Permitting management software (Accela or other).
• Principles and practices of sound business communications.
• Proper English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Select, supervise, train, motivate, and evaluate professional and technical subordinates.
• Supervise the preparation of engineering records and prepare comprehensive technical reports.
• Plan, organize, assign, review and evaluate the work of professional, technical, and administrative support staff.
• Conduct independent engineering tasks and manage contracted consultant engineering firms.
• Analyze technical design engineering, construction engineering, surveying, facility location, and corrosion control; evaluate alternative approaches; recommend and adopt effective solutions.
• Perform and document complex engineering calculations, and prepare engineering plans and specifications. 
• Plan, perform, manage and supervise construction management and inspection activities (staff and consultants).
• Prepare detailed written material, including staff and administrative reports, analyses of policies, and changes to established programs and policies.
• Develop persuasive oral presentations of ideas and recommendations in both small and large group settings.
• Exercise sound, independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines.
• Maintain confidentiality of privileged or sensitive information.
• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply Federal, State, local, and Authority codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and Authority standards and specifications; exercise independent judgment and initiative within established guidelines.
• Collect relevant data and information, analyze, interpret, and make sound recommendations on both work flow and personnel related issues.
• Perform work in accordance with established safety regulations, guidelines and practices.
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of yearly budget.
• Operate a computer and related software applications.
• Maintain complete, accurate records and documentation.
• Read, interpret, and explain contract plans, specifications and complex technical information and manuals orally and in writing.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Keyboard proficiently.
• Use interpersonal skills effectively as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc., sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Education/Training/Experience (positions in this class typically require):

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major study in Civil Engineering.

• Ten (10) years of professional engineering experience in water utility design and construction management, three (3) years of which are in progressively responsible supervisory and administrative capacity. 

Licenses/Certifications – Required Conditions of Employment:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License. Maintain an acceptable, safe, and active driving record, together with proof of insurability. Possess a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California.

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 following essential functions:

• Hear normal conversation in person and on the telephone.
• Mobility of arms to reach, and the dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects and to write legibly.

• Visual ability (which may be corrected) to read small print and video messages, including good peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Speak in a normal voice; able to be heard and understood on the telephone, in person, and to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Use office equipment such as personal computers, copiers and fax machines.
• Operate standard passenger vehicles.
• Lift, carry, push or pull up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Keyboarding for extended periods of time.
• Fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Mobility to stand, walk, stoop, bend and extend legs on uneven ground. Wear appropriate personal protective apparel and equipment as required per standard operating procedures (SOP). Climb ladders and stairs on water storage tanks and facilities and work on top of these structures.

Working Hours:

• Flex Schedule: Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM (9/80); Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and every other Friday off or, as assigned by the supervisor.

Other Conditions:

It is important that incumbents in this position maintain a professional and businesslike image to the public at all times: 

• A neat, clean and pressed appearance in clothing, hair and personal hygiene is important every day.  Good judgment is expected in determining proper dress and appearance. All facial hair must be kept neat and trimmed.