Assistant Director of Engineering & Construction

Charleston Water System; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 106,000 - 216,000; Full time

Job summary

Charleston Water System is seeking an Assistant Director of Engineering & Construction to support the Director in managing the Engineering & Construction Department, including oversight of major capital projects and construction administration.

The role requires a BS in engineering or construction management with at least five years of progressive experience in civil design, construction management and inspection, plus SC PE licensure.

Qualifications

• B.S. degree in engineering or construction management with at least five years of progressive experience in civil design, construction management and construction inspection.
• Two years of experience in design and construction of water/wastewater systems and/or treatment plants.
• Extensive knowledge of construction principles and administration in water, wastewater, and general projects.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Director in management and daily operations of the Engineering & Construction Department.
• Serves as primary manager for overall construction administration of major capital projects.
• Coordinates inspection services with all stakeholders and ensures projects meet policies and standards.

Skills

People management

Project coordination

Technical report writing

Education

B.S. in engineering or construction management

Tools

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

GIS Software

Microsoft Project

Excel

Word

Job description

Job Description

Assistant Director of Engineering & Construction

Job Description
Assistant Director of Engineering & Construction
Job Announcement No: 26-119
Vacant Position(s): 1
Department: E&C
Applications Accepted through Sunday, September 13, 2026
Salary Range: $105,830.40 ($50.88/hr.) - $216,257.60 ($83.95/hr.)
Hiring Range: $105,830.40 ($50.88/hr.) - $140,275.20 ($67.44/hr.)
Grade: 114
Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Flexible)
Position Summary
The Assistant Director of Engineering & Construction is responsible for assisting the Director in the management and daily operations of the Engineering & Construction Department and has overall administrative and supervisory responsibilities for Construction Inspection and Construction Administration.

Essential Functions

• Assists the Director of Engineering & Construction in all areas of management of the Engineering & Construction Department and assumes managerial responsibility in the absence of the Director.
• Assists the Director of Engineering & Construction in all phases of development and implementation of the Major Capital Improvement Program.
• Position has primary management responsibility for the overall construction administration of major capital projects.
• Responsible for coordination and maintenance of the department’s Utility Coordination Project process, including management of portal submissions and the review and identification of potential conflicts with existing CWS water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Position has supervisory responsibility for the Surveying Section of the department.
• Attend pre-bid meetings, bid openings, pre-construction meetings and construction progress meetings for all major capital projects.
• Reviews, approves and monitors construction schedules for all major capital projects.
• Prepares purchase requisitions and manages all purchase orders for major construction projects.
• Reviews and approves contractor pay requests and change-order requests for all major capital projects.
• Responsible for the coordination of inspection services for all projects with all interested parties.
• Ensures that all water and wastewater projects, including utility coordination projects, are designed and constructed in accordance with CWS policies and standards.
• Ensures coordination and legal research of CWS prior rights, easements, and encroachments for all utility coordination projects are conducted in a timely manner.
• Ensures all projects are constructed in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines, permits and codes as well as design standards.
• Ensures all projects are in-service in a timely manner and properly closed-out upon completion of construction, all in accordance with Accounting and Asset Management policies and procedures.
• Provides design and constructability guidance and input during project design phase.
• Responsible for development and maintenance of the department’s standard technical specifications.
• Assists with proposal, development and administration of engineering and construction related policies and procedures.
• Assists with review, development and maintenance of CWS Minimum Standards and related construction details.
• May be required to work during emergency conditions.
• Regular attendance is required.
• Job performance must conform to all CWS policies and procedures.
• Specific knowledge of CWS Environmental Management System Policy and Procedures.

Additional Duties

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Physical Requirements, Activities, and Working Conditions

• Sedentary work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift and transport objects.
• Ability to traverse in adverse field conditions, mud, etc.
• Ability to ascend/descend short distances, ladders or steps to evaluate or inspect equipment and facilities.
• Ability to read and comprehend as well as develop and compose technical reports.
• Ability to operate personal computer.
• Ability to issue and receive as well as comprehend complex written and oral instructions and communicate with others orally and in writing
• Ability to visually observe computer screens and hard copy drawings
• Ability to operate and maintain motor vehicles.
• Must be able to wear Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined in the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) to perform the required essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• B.S. degree in engineering or construction management from an accredited program with at least five (5) years of progressive experience in civil design, construction management and construction inspection. At least two (2) years of experience must be in the design and construction of water and wastewater distribution and collection systems and/or water and wastewater treatment plants.
• Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of construction and construction administration as applied to water, wastewater and general construction projects.
• Working knowledge of hydraulic modeling for both water and wastewater systems.
• Working knowledge of construction site safety and related OSHA requirements.
• Experience managing and supervising personnel
• Experience operating a personal computer and efficiently use AutoCAD, Bluebeam, GIS Software, Microsoft Project, Excel, Word, and other software programs.
• Prior work record indicating dependability and conscientiousness.

Licenses, Certifications, Registrations

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of South Carolina
• Valid South Carolina Driver’s License required.

Training Needs

• OSHA and Departmental safety training as required.
• Skills Based Training.
• Standard Operating Instruction (SOI) per department requirements.
• ISO 14001 standards for department and company.
• See Department Competency and Training Matrix for this position

Potential Career Path

ELIGIBILITY FOR PROMOTION TO VARIOUS POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMISSION DEPENDS UPON INDIVIDUAL QUALIFICATIONS AND NOTED JOB PROGRESSIONS ARE NO GUARANTEE OF CAREER PATH TO THESE OR ANY OTHER JOB(S) AT THE COMMISSION.

• Director of Engineering & Construction