Utility Capital Project Engineering Supervisor

The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is seeking to hire a Utility Capital Project Engineering Supervisor!

About Public Works

The Public Works Department ensures the City's infrastructure remains safe, functional, and sustainable. It oversees vital services including stormwater management, transportation, water and wastewater systems, maintenance of streets and grounds, and capital improvement projects.

As the City’s largest department, we are committed to the City’s vision and the Department’s mission. We play a vital role in making Kirkland livable, sustainable, and connected. We are City employees who take pride in being trusted stewards of the public’s resources, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.

We have a One Team approach, strive for excellence and attract, value, and keep diverse, talented employees.

Why Kirkland?

The Utility Capital Project Engineering Supervisor manages the long-range strategic planning for water and wastewater system requirements for both capital improvement projects and private development, including the development and implementation of utility planning studies and technical recommendations for utility rate studies and regional utility policies. Supervises professional engineering staff in planning, design, and construction of water and wastewater capital projects. This position will work in a matrix structure which collaborates and coordinates across multiple department managers, ensuring clear communication, shared decision making, and alignment across planning, engineering, and operational needs and goals.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Utility Capital Project Engineering Supervisor oversees a work group in the Capital Projects Division and is a part of the Public Works Leadership Team. This position provides management of complex water and wastewater capital improvement projects and programs including coordination of individual project assignments for project engineers, consultants, and support staff and serves as a technical expert. In addition to the supervisory duties, the Supervisor may serve as a project manager on more complex projects requiring advanced project management experience.  

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Attracts, retains, leads and motivates a competent and professional engineering and project coordination staff. Supervises personnel including motivating, training, and delegating assignments; monitoring performance; conducting performance evaluations including mentoring and coaching; taking disciplinary/corrective action; recommending salary increases and promotions; and recommending hirings and terminations.
• Plans, distributes, and coordinates project assignments and workloads among staff. Ensures projected timelines and work quality are consistent with established performance measures, policies, and procedures. 
• Supervises engineering staff and provides guidance on the planning and development of the scope of work, cost estimates and schedule for projects. 
• Leads and is responsible for the development of complex water and wastewater planning and technical studies, including the Water System Plan and General Sewer Plan.
• Supervises and provides guidance to staff on the operational review of water and sewer hydraulic models, analyzes and determines service level capability, needs, deficiencies, problems and solutions in order to optimize the City’s water and wastewater systems. 
• Works closely with the Development Engineering and Utility Operations Managers on required water and wastewater system improvements for private development projects. 
• Works closely with managers and engineers across Public Works’ engineering and operations divisions to develop and recommend the capital improvement program for water and sewer utilities.  
• Works collaboratively with Utility Operations Manager and Utility Policy & Community Relations Supervisor on how state and regional requirements, policy and capital investments may impact the water and wastewater system and/or rate models. 
• Works collaboratively with City utility and financial staff to recommend capital needs and advise on regulatory requirements that need to be considered for utility rate studies.  
• Develops, reviews, and implements standard procedures, specifications, plans and requirements for water and wastewater utility projects.  
• Presents oral and written information to a variety of audiences including City Council, public stakeholders, City departments, outside agencies and others. 
• Provides advanced level administrative, design monitoring and construction management services for all types of municipal capital improvement projects.
• Functions as technical resource, providing leadership, direction and motivational support.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties:

• Assists Finance & Administration Department with the development of documentation to support the issuance of utility revenue bonds to fund capital improvement projects. 
• Assumes the responsibilities of the Deputy Director of Capital Projects, as needed. 
• Performs functions as assigned in the City’s emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

• Principles, practices, and methods of leadership, supervision and management.   
• Extensive knowledge of civil and utility engineering principles and practices.
• Comprehensive planning, evaluation of utility infrastructure and capital improvement planning.  
• Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and asset management principles and practices.
• Utility rate study and setting practices and methods.
• Principles, practices, and methods of development review engineering.
• Understand and be able to apply principles and practices of civil engineering and construction project management as they apply to the planning, design, inspection, and construction of public works projects. 
• Skilled in the methods and techniques of budget development, management, and control.  
• Ability to interpret and understand applicable laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures. 
• Uses engineering software such as AutoCAD or Bluebeam to prepare and review detailed design drawings.
• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with the public, public officials, other department heads and staff, consultants, and contractors in a knowledgeable and professional manner. 
• Skilled in conflict resolution with the ability to rapidly analyze technical and/or legal implications in decision making, working directly with the City Attorney and Washington Cities Insurance Authority when necessary. 
• Exhibit positive leadership skills and intradepartmental cooperation through involvement with diverse work groups, community interests, or service teams. 
• Ability to work independently and successfully prioritize competing deadlines, schedules, and limited resources among a variety of customers to ensure timely delivery of programs and projects. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• Experience: 7 years of experience in utility engineering and/or planning, including 4 years of direct project management.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual’s knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

Licenses and Other Requirements:

• Washington State Professional Engineer License required, or ability to obtain through comity within 6 months. 
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the City’s insurance to operate motor vehicles.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Primarily office work, but the position also involves visiting construction sites under varying weather conditions. Potential hazards at construction sites include vehicular traffic, construction equipment, and uneven terrain. The position may require climbing ladders, scaffolding, and working in trenches or other confined spaces. This position encounters foot hazards as defined by the WAC, which may include any of the following: falling objects, rolling objects, piercing/cutting injuries, or electrical hazards. 

Attendance at Council or community meetings is occasionally required; meetings are held in the evenings or outside normal office hours.

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application.  Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter.  Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail.  Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. First review of applicants will be Tuesday, September 22nd.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work.  As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings.  Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 711.

Final candidates for this position will be required to successfully complete a background check, consistent with applicable law.