Drainage Supervisor

City-of-Buda,-Tx; Buda (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Buda is seeking a Drainage Supervisor under the Streets and Drainage Superintendent to plan, coordinate, supervise, and participate in the inspection, construction, maintenance, and repair of the stormwater drainage system and rights‑of‑way. You’ll lead crews, manage preventive maintenance, and ensure safe, timely work while coordinating with multiple city entities.

Qualifications include a high school diploma or GED, five years of drainage/public works experience, and preferred

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Five years of progressively responsible drainage/stormwater/public works experience.
• One year of lead-worker or supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize, assign, and supervise daily drainage/right-of-way work to use staff and equipment efficiently.
• Inspect and coordinate drainage projects to meet design intent and prevent flooding.
• Coordinate with City departments, contractors, utilities, and the public.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare reports to support planning and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Planning & scheduling

Communication

Safety

Public works

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Work order system

Asset management software

Mapping software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Under the direction of the Streets and Drainage Superintendent, the Drainage Supervisor plans, coordinates, supervises, and participates in the inspection, construction, maintenance, and repair of the City’s stormwater drainage system and public rights-of-way. The position directs assigned crews and resources; prioritizes preventive and corrective maintenance; verifies safe, timely, and quality work; supports regulatory documentation and emergency response; and coordinates with City departments, contractors, utilities, and the public to help maintain reliable drainage, reduce flood risk, protect water quality, and preserve public infrastructure.The following duties are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or logically assigned to the position.

• Plans, prioritizes, assigns, and supervises daily work for drainage and right‑of‑way crews, including preventive maintenance, service requests, inspections, construction, and repairs, to use staff and equipment effectively and maintain dependable stormwater conveyance.
• Supports the City’s stormwater‑management and water‑quality obligations by implementing applicable best management practices, identifying potential illicit discharges or pollution concerns, preserving required field documentation, and promptly referring or reporting concerns through established procedures in the City’s adopted Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP).
• Provides day‑to‑day leadership by participating in employee selection, onboarding, training, coaching, performance evaluation, counseling, and corrective‑action processes, in coordination with management and Human Resources, to maintain a capable, accountable, and service‑oriented workforce.
• Inspects work sites and completed work; interprets plans, specifications, elevations, sketches, work orders, City standards, and applicable requirements; and directs corrective action to ensure drainage projects meet design intent, quality expectations, and operational needs.
• Supervises and participates in the inspection, cleaning, construction, maintenance, and repair of open and closed drainage infrastructure, including channels, ditches, creeks, pipes, culverts, inlets, manholes, outfalls, headwalls, detention or water‑quality facilities, and related appurtenances, to restore flow, correct defects, and reduce flooding and erosion risks.
• Directs grading, excavation, pipe and structure installation, concrete work, stabilization, vegetation management, debris removal, erosion and sediment controls, and other right‑of‑way activities to protect drainage assets, water quality, adjacent property, and the traveling public.
• Establishes and verifies grades, elevations, slopes, alignments, quantities, and site conditions using plans and appropriate field methods and equipment to ensure drainage improvements convey stormwater as intended and materials are used accurately.
• Implements and monitors work‑zone traffic control, excavation safety, confined‑space procedures when applicable, personal protective equipment, equipment operation, and other City safety practices; identifies hazards and stops or modifies unsafe work to protect employees and the public.
• Coordinates the availability, inspection, operation, cleaning, preventive maintenance, and repair of vehicles, heavy equipment, tools, pumps, and materials; reports defects and controls inventory to keep crews ready and safeguard City resources.
• Operates and provides instruction in the safe use of assigned vehicles, heavy equipment, hand tools, and power tools, and performs skilled field work when staffing, training, emergencies, or project conditions require hands‑on assistance.
• Receives and investigates drainage complaints and service requests; assesses public and private responsibilities; explains findings and City procedures; and coordinates appropriate follow‑up to resolve concerns consistently and provide responsive customer service.
• Coordinates field activities with Engineering, Utilities, Parks, Development Services, emergency personnel, contractors, utility companies, and other stakeholders to prevent conflicts, protect existing facilities, and complete work efficiently.
• Maintains accurate work orders, inspection results, labor and equipment usage, material quantities, asset condition information, photographs, maps, sketches, inventory, training, and other operational records; prepares reports and updates to support planning, regulatory documentation, cost control, and management decisions.
• Assists with procurement and budget administration by estimating labor, equipment, and material needs; obtaining quotes; monitoring expenditures; reviewing invoices or completed contracted work; and recommending tools, equipment, and contracted services to support cost‑effective operations.
• Monitors weather and drainage conditions; conducts pre‑storm inspections and preparation as directed; and participates in after‑hours, on‑call, flood, severe‑weather, and other emergency response to remove obstructions, protect infrastructure, and support public safety.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in drainage, stormwater, public works, underground utility, heavy construction, or closely related maintenance work, including experience operating equipment used in drainage construction and maintenance.
• One (1) year of lead‑worker or supervisory experience is preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license within 90 days of employment. Must maintain an acceptable driving record and be insurable under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.

Knowledge of:

• Methods, materials, equipment, and best practices used to inspect, clean, construct, maintain, and repair open and closed stormwater drainage systems and public rights‑of‑way.
• Drainage principles, including stormwater conveyance, grade, slope, elevation, erosion, sedimentation, stabilization, and flood‑risk reduction.
• Supervisory practices, including work planning, training, coaching, performance management, documentation, and employee safety.
• Occupational and work‑zone safety practices applicable to drainage and construction activities, including the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, excavation and trenching, confined spaces when applicable, hazard recognition, and personal protective equipment.
• Applicable stormwater and water‑quality requirements, best management practices, illicit‑discharge indicators, and field documentation procedures relevant to municipal drainage maintenance.
• Safe operation, inspection, and routine care of vehicles, heavy equipment, pumps, hand tools, and power tools used in drainage operations.
• Basic procurement, inventory, cost‑estimating, budget‑monitoring, and contractor‑coordination practices.
• Customer‑service, conflict‑resolution, and public‑sector recordkeeping principles.

Skill in:

• Planning, prioritizing, assigning, supervising, and evaluating the work of field crews across routine, urgent, and emergency assignments.
• Inspecting drainage assets and work sites; identifying defects, hazards, obstructions, erosion, maintenance needs, and potential water‑quality concerns; and selecting appropriate corrective action.
• Reading and interpreting plans, specifications, maps, sketches, work orders, elevations, and construction details, and producing clear field markups and documentation.
• Establishing and verifying grades, slopes, elevations, alignments, material quantities, and basic project cost estimates.
• Operating and instructing others in the safe use of assigned vehicles, heavy equipment, pumps, hand tools, and power tools.
• Implementing safe work practices and traffic‑control plans and recognizing conditions that require work to be stopped, modified, or escalated.
• Communicating clearly and professionally in person and in written and electronic formats with employees, residents, contractors, utilities, and City staff.
• Using work‑order, asset‑management, mapping, and standard office software to document work, maintain records, track resources, and prepare reports.

Ability to:

• Lead, train, motivate, and hold employees accountable while fostering teamwork, professionalism, and consistent service delivery.
• Organize multiple projects, service requests, preventive‑maintenance needs, and emergency assignments; adjust priorities as conditions change; and meet established timelines.
• Analyze drainage and operational problems, evaluate options, make sound field decisions within delegated authority, and seek technical or managerial guidance when appropriate.
• Coordinate personnel, equipment, materials, contractors, and interdepartmental support to complete work safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to the public.
• Investigate complaints, explain technical information and City responsibilities in understandable terms, manage conflict, and follow through on service commitments.
• Prepare and maintain complete, accurate, and timely operational, personnel, safety, inventory, cost, inspection, and regulatory‑support records.
• Work independently and collaboratively in field and office settings, maintain confidentiality when required, and comply with City policies and record‑retention requirements.
• Respond to call‑outs and work extended, evening, weekend, holiday, or irregular hours during severe weather, flooding, or other operational emergencies.