Assistant Director - Utilities Engineering

City of Bellevue, Washington; Bellevue (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bellevue is seeking an Assistant Director of Engineering to lead the Utilities Engineering Division. You will provide strategic leadership, oversee budgeting, and coordinate CIP portfolios across water, wastewater, and stormwater programs.

You will supervise engineering managers and collaborate with Deputy Directors to implement policies and city objectives. Ideal candidates bring a civil engineering background, 8+ years of public utilities management, and a track record delivering

Qualifications

• Degree in civil engineering or related field; MS preferred.
• 8+ years of managerial/administrative public utilities experience.
• 10+ years in capital investment program development for municipal utilities, with 5+ years in water/wastewater/stormwater.

Responsibilities

• Develop department policies with directors and council; interpret laws affecting operation of a multi-faceted utilities system.
• Oversee staffing, performance, and development of engineering teams.
• Lead budget development and CIP portfolio management across multiple utility programs.
• Manage contracts and professional services with external partners.
• Prepare reports for department director, City Council, and the public; serve as Acting Director when needed.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Public utilities knowledge

Contract management

Policy development

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

MS Engineering or MPA preferred

Tools

Budgeting software

Project management tools

Public works contracting software

Job description

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Job Summary

Bellevue Utilities provides high quality, essential drinking water, wastewater, and storm and surface water services that over 150,000 customers rely on every day. We take pride in making sure these services are dependable, a good value for the money, and delivered with our customers in mind. Our Utility Capital Investment Program invests $49 Million annually in infrastructure renewal, capacity for growth, and environmental preservation projects to ensure customer service and satisfaction remain high.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• The Assistant Director works with Deputy Directors and Director to develop department policies by identifying regional and local policy needs; identifying/recommending policy options for City management and Council; develops programs/procedures to implement policies.
• Reviews and obtains proper interpretations, where necessary, of the laws, rules and regulations affecting operation of a multi-faceted utilities system.
• Establishes and maintains a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork.
• Oversees a team of engineering managers responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and developing staff in the areas of planning, CIP portfolio management, capital project management and design, construction management, and development plan review.
• Allocates, directs, motivates and evaluates division personnel to ensure employees growth and accountability.
• Uses performance data objectively to maintain and improve Utilities' functions. Establishes and leads results-oriented innovation and continuous process improvement projects.
• Plan, develop and implement programs; identifies program outcomes, budgets, processes and priorities; obtains resources via budget, contracting, inter-local agreements, etc.
• Negotiates and administers contracts and professional services agreements with contractors, consultants, and franchise operators.
• Develops interdepartmental and/or partnerships with outside stakeholders.
• Prepares and presents oral and written reports and responses to the department director, City Council, or other city departments, the Environmental Services Commission, regional committees and subcommittees, and the public, as required.
• This position may serve as Acting Director in the absence of the Deputy Directors and Director of Utilities.

Reporting Structure

The Assistant Director, Engineering, works under the general supervision of Deputy Director and/or Director of Utilities. This position exercises supervision over professional, technical, and support staff, either directly or indirectly through supervisors and managers, as assigned.

Key Functions

Provide leadership to the Utilities Department

• Implement City's and Utilities' vision and mission; Support Utilities Strategic Planning;
• Ensure quality of services, sound financial performance, and customer satisfaction;
• Manage resolution of major departmental issues;
• Create collaborative work environment and open communication;
• Model core values, work rules, and Utilities Department culture;
• Support department leadership team decisions and optimize organizational dynamics.

Manage Utilities Engineering Division

• Provide leadership and management oversight of ~50 staff members, comprised primarily of technical staff (Engineering Managers and Supervisors, Asset Manager, Engineers, Program Administrators, Construction Inspectors, Engineering Technicians, and Environmental Scientists).
• Lead budget development, analysis, and monitoring for the Engineering Division;
• Provide leadership and management of the following sections: Utility Systems Planning, CIP Portfolio Management and Administration, Asset Management, Project Management, Construction Management, and Private Development Utilities Plan Review.
• Provide leadership coordination with other Utilities Divisions and other departments in the City.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in civil engineering, environmental studies, water resources management, construction management, or related field. An MS Engineering or MPA is preferred.
• Eight or more years of progressively responsible managerial and administrative experience in public utilities systems.
• 10 years' experience developing and delivering Capital Investment Programs, including management of planning, design and construction for municipal utility projects with at least 5 years of experience in each utility (water, wastewater, stormwater), or a program of similar scope/complexity (at least $15 Million/year Capital program value). (highly preferred)
• Experience/knowledge about Utility operations and maintenance, system planning, and public works consultant and construction contracting laws, regulations, and work processes.
• Experience/knowledge about environmental issues and permitting associated with utility work is highly desirable.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Washington State Professional Civil Engineering license is required at the time of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in utility systems planning, engineering design, professional services and construction contracting, construction and operations/maintenance of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure systems.
• Proven ability to plan, supervise and coordinate long range technical and administrative programs.
• Knowledge of CIP budget development, project delivery monitoring and control including project change management and value engineering principles, portfolio management, and CIP delivery governance processes.
• Ability to express self clearly, completely, and concisely, orally, and in writing. Ability to listen and question effectively to better understand customer/employee needs and requests to ensure mutual understanding. Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to various audiences.
• Ability to communicate effectively and encourage people to accept changes in the organization. Ability to model positive attitudes towards change to reassure others.
• Ability to interpret legislation, rules and regulations. Demonstrated understanding of federal and state regulations for public utility systems of the size/scale of Bellevue Utilities.
• Understanding of City's political environment and sensitivities; and proven ability to function effectively within that environment. Demonstrated experience representing politically sensitive or otherwise high-profile Utility issues to elected body and executive manager (City Manager)
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department employees, other City departments, community officials, citizens, State and Federal officials. Proven success in a collaborative environment, working with Financial and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) stakeholders to achieve Utility objectives.
• Firm understanding, support, and experience with applying Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) principles and practices for both internal staff and external customers.
• Demonstrated experience successfully negotiating terms for collaboration with other jurisdictions/entities.
• Successful experience in public engagement.
• Proven ability to plan, assign, review, and supervise the work of direct reports. Ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation and constructive performance reviews to staff, securing their respective commitments to the department's goals.
• Proven success as a leader, based on input from past subordinates, peers, and supervisors.
• Ability to create team environment in which information and trust flows freely both up and down the workforce.

Supplemental Information

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands and work environment 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.