Assistant Division Director Engineering

Fairfax County Government; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Signing bonus

Retirement plan

Medical, life and disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Accommodations for disabilities

Job summary

Fairfax County Government’s Wastewater Design and Construction Division seeks an Assistant Division Director – Engineering (Collections Branch Chief). You will lead 22 staff in designing and delivering high-dollar wastewater projects, ensuring compliance with county and state standards and coordinating with consultants and contractors.

The role covers procurement, capital budgeting, personnel actions, and emergency planning, with a $5,000 signing bonus for new county employees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or architecture field; plus five years of professional experience, including two years of supervision.
• Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license required; or temporary reciprocity arrangement.
• Experience leading design and construction of wastewater infrastructure projects is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leadership: manage the branch in project management, design, and construction of complex wastewater projects and ensure safety standards.
• Contract management: oversee procurement, bid evaluation, and contract negotiations with design consultants and contractors.
• Capital budget management: prepare budgets, forecast cash flows, and guide financial decisions for projects.
• Personnel actions: handle hiring, workloads, evaluations, and staff development.
• Other administrative duties: may assume division director duties and participate in emergency planning.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Contract negotiation

Public speaking

Budget management

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or architecture

Tools

MS Office

Job description

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus*

At the Wastewater Design and Construction Division (WDCD), we are a collaborative team of professionals dedicated to safeguarding public health, protecting the environment, and enhancing the quality of life in our communities through the design and delivery of innovative wastewater capital improvement projects. We lead the planning, design, and construction of critical infrastructure upgrades that ensure the reliability, sustainability, and resilience of Fairfax County’s sanitary sewer system.

The Collections Branch of the WDCD is seeking a highly experienced and motivated individual to serve as the Assistant Division Director – Engineering (Collections Branch Chief). This position leads a team of 22 staff including engineers, construction managers, inspectors, and other support staff to ensure that all design and construction activities meet project drawings and specifications requirements, county and state standards, and safety regulations. The staff is engaged to perform on large, high dollar, complex wastewater pump station, gravity sewer, and other sewerage system design and construction projects to assure timely, cost effective, and high-quality project delivery services.

DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates, and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness.

Please review our awesome benefits:

• Benefits
• Retirement

Learn more about us.

Keys responsibilities include:

• Management and Leadership -Leads branch in project management, design, and construction of complex, capital project activities related to wastewater collection and conveyance. Serves as an active member of the Capital Facilities (CAP) Business Team and core CAP Leadership Team. Actively participates in core Leadership Team for both agency-wide vertical and horizontal broad projects planning and delivery, strategic planning, public health and environmental safety compliance issues, emergency planning and preparedness, agency policy development and financial management. Represents the department at public hearings, citizen meetings, and meetings with consultants and construction contractors. Ensures staff is trained and prepared to respond and, in emergencies, ensures safety standards are met and enforced. Plans, assigns, delegates, and prioritizes workload within the branch as appropriate. Ensures design and construction quality standards, schedules and deadlines are met. Provides direction to branch engineers, professional consultants, and construction contractors on technical project issues to resolve design and/or construction related problems and contractual issues.
• Contract Management - Through delegated authority from the department contracting officer, oversees the complete range of procurement activities for Wastewater Design and Construction contracts. Makes decisions and recommendations for design consultants election and works to resolve issues during contract negotiations. Provides direction and guidance for the preparation of technical contract documents, construction bidding, and the evaluation of construction bids in accordance with the Fairfax County Purchasing Resolution. Makes recommendations regarding award of design and construction contracts. Ensures compliance with federal and state requirements on grant funded projects. Evaluates and, as necessary, negotiates construction contract change orders. Applies technical knowledge and knowledge of contracting practices and negotiation skills to resolve claims and disputes. Makes recommendations for updates to county design and construction contracts and coordinates with the County Attorney s office.
• Capital Budget Management - Prepares capital project budget submissions, cash flow projection reports and other financial reports as required. Works closely with using agencies and the Department of Management and Budget on fiscal issues related to capital project funding. Provides direction and guidance to branch employees, senior management and using agencies on capital project budget issues. Prepares detailed project budgets based on historical information, benchmarked costs, and in-depth technical knowledge related to wastewater project design and construction. Reviews financial activity of projects on an ongoing basis and identifies potential project funding issues.
• Personnel Actions - Responsible for overall personnel management of all division employees including hiring, approval of working hours, leave and overtime, personnel actions, job descriptions, performance standards, annual evaluations and other personnel matters.
• Other Administrative Duties - May need to assume the duties of division director when so designated. Serves as a member of the CAP Emergency Management Team in response to countywide emergencies. May be required to report to Emergency Operations Center after-hours and work 12-hour shifts, as needed.

*A $5,000 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired in the Assistant Division Director Engineering position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from a four-year college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technologies with a bachelor's degree in the appropriate engineering or architecture field; plus, five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field, including two years of supervisory experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• A valid driver's license.
• Possession of a valid Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license.

An individual who possesses a valid Professional Engineer or Architect license in another state will be granted a temporary exemption to this requirement pending the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers & Landscape Architects decision regarding that individual's application for reciprocity. As a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect, signs and seals own work product and/or that of subordinate staff.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in all aspects of construction and inspection for primarily horizontal capital projects, preferably within local, state, or federal government.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience or leadership responsibilities for engineers and other construction professionals.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership of a diverse and multi-disciplined professional staff and working with civic groups, other county/state/federal agencies to build alliances and improve collaboration.
• Detailed knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations related to wastewater design and construction.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills and experience with both public and internal presentations to various audiences.
• Certification as a DEQ SWM Combined Administrator.
• Certified Construction Manager, CCM.
• Information technology skills including use of Microsoft Office software such as Excel Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The job is generally sedentary. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

BONUS ELIGIBILITY:

Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others). We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [e-mail] EEO/AA/TTY.