DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING

City of Columbia, SC; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Columbia, SC is seeking a seasoned Engineering Manager to coordinate and supervise the Engineering group, oversee design and projects, and ensure compliance with laws and standards. The role involves reporting progress to executive leadership and representing the City at various meetings.

Requires a Bachelor’s in engineering, 7+ years in design/construction of water and wastewater systems, and SC PE licensure. Valid SC driver’s license is mandatory.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or closely related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in design, construction, or operation of water and wastewater systems.
• Valid South Carolina driver’s license.
• Licensed Professional Engineer in South Carolina.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes and supervises all activities and operations of the Engineering group.
• Manages internal design for small capital projects (minor water, wastewater and stormwater extensions, etc.).
• Oversees development and maintenance of standard specifications and design details.
• Represents the City in meetings with public, regulatory and industry stakeholders.
• Oversees coordination of projects with agencies, departments, contractors and consultants.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) licensed - SC

Job description

This position coordinates, manages and supervises the activities and employees of the Engineering group; oversees and performs professional engineering work in the design, development and implementation of construction, renovation and installation projects; and performs related professional, administrative and supervisory work as required. The incumbent plans, organizes and implements programs within major organizational policies, reporting program progress to executive-level administration through reports and conferences. This position reports to the Director of Engineering

The work is considered light in nature and involves walking or standing much of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: speaking, talking, visual acuity, and walking

Work environment may involve exposure to bright/dim light, dusts and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, toxic/caustic chemicals, explosives; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

• Plans, organizes and supervises all activities and operations of the Engineering group (Design, Construction Management, Stormwater, Floodplain Management, Plan Review and Engineering Support), ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures and standards of quality and safety;
• Manages the internal design for small capital projects (i.e. minor water, wastewater and stormwater line extensions, sidewalks, etc.);
• Oversees and manages the development and on-going maintenance of standard specifications and design details for common design components and assures their use for City projects;
• Assumes duties and responsibilities of the Director of Engineering in his/her absence;
• Supervises the work of assigned staff; supervisory duties include instructing, planning and reviewing work, maintaining standards, coordinating activities, allocating personnel, selecting new personnel, acting on employee problems, and recommending employee discipline and discharge;
• Reviews the work of subordinates for completeness and accuracy; evaluates and makes recommendations as appropriate; offers training, advice and assistance as needed;
• Develops, recommends and implements division policies and procedures;
• Supervises and provides engineering expertise in the planning, design and project management of the construction, renovation and installation of non-utility related City projects;
• Participates in pre-bid conferences and bid openings as required;
• Participates in pre-construction conferences as required;
• Closely monitors expenditures for approved projects to ensure that each project remains within initial proposed budget;
• Responsible for overseeing inspection of construction work in progress and at completion for compliance with established policies, procedures, regulations, codes, contracts, and standards of quality and safety;
• Responsible for overseeing coordination of projects with local, state and federal agencies, as well as other City and county departments, contractors, developers, engineers, land surveyors, architects, attorneys, environmental agencies, special interest groups, and other parties as necessary;
• Represents the Columbia Water at various City, civic, professional and community meetings as required to discuss department programs and projects;
• Receives and responds to inquiries, concerns, complaints and requests for assistance regarding areas of responsibility;
• Performs general administrative work as required, including conducting and attending meetings, preparing reports and correspondence, reviewing mail and literature, entering and retrieving computer data, copying and filing documents, etc.;
• Attends professional conferences, meetings, training, seminars, etc., as necessary to maintain and enhance job knowledge and skills;
• Collaborates and facilitates communication between key stakeholders such as regulatory agencies (SCDHEC, US EPA, OSHA, etc.), attorneys, developers, consultants, contractors and cross-functional departments within the City such as Budget and Finance, Information Technology, and Human Resources;
• May be required to work under emergency conditions;
• Subject to 24-hour on-call; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or closely related field;
• Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in the design, construction or operation of water and wastewater or comparable systems;
• Valid South Carolina Class “D” Driver’s License;
• Registered Professional Engineer in the State of South Carolina.

• Ability to lead others and motivate them to a common purpose;
• Knowledge of advanced calculus using such factors as limits, real number systems, mean values; algebraic functions including very complex functions; inferential statistics and econometrics;
• Ability to synthesize or integrate analysis of data or information to discover facts or develop knowledge or interpretations; changes policies, procedures or methodologies based on new facts, knowledge or interpretations;
• Ability to negotiate, exchanging ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policy and programs or arrive jointly at decisions, conclusions, or solutions;
• Ability to establish policy for the acquisition, installation, testing, operation, maintenance and repair of complex machinery, equipment or systems; includes establishing specifications for the acquisition of major pieces of equipment, rolling stock, machinery and technology systems; establishing budgets for major construction repairs or new construction; determining the allocation of materials, equipment and supplies with respect to major construction projects;
• Ability to perform work involving the application of principles of logical thinking or scientific practice to diagnose or define problems, collect data and solve abstract problems with widespread unit or organizational impact;
• Ability to read professional literature and technical manuals; speaking to groups of employees, other public and private groups; writing manuals and complex reports;
• Ability to perform advanced professional-level work methods and practices in the analysis, coordination or interpretation of work of a professional, engineering, fiscal, managerial or scientific nature and the ability for formulate important recommendations or make technical decisions that have an organization-wide impact. Requires sustained, intense concentration for accurate results and continuous exposure to sustained, unusual pressure; and
• Ability to make decisions, affecting most segments of the organization and the general public; works in a highly dynamic environment; responsible for establishing goals, objectives and policies.