Engineering Senior Manager II-Utilities Division

Yakima County; Washington; On-site; USD 110,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care benefits

Retirement benefits

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Yakima County Public Services, Utilities Division, seeks an Engineering Senior Manager II to lead water and wastewater systems, implement policies, monitor programs and manage resources for multiple systems. Ideal candidate has PE, civil engineering background, and strong supervisory experience.

The role requires strategic planning, contract oversight, and cross-team collaboration with elected officials and external partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering AND eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience, including three (3) years in a supervisory and managerial capacity; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience providing related knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Plans, develops and implements strategies to accomplish Utilities Division goals and objectives.
• Manages the Division’s resources including budget, employees and equipment.
• Oversees policy development, contract procurement, and staff training.
• Represents the County in meetings, hearings and community engagements.

Skills

Public speaking

Time management

Crisis management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Driver's license

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Job Description Summary

Pay Range: $9,832 - $12,470 per month (Engineering Pay Plan, ENGM2 Step 1-13) Hiring Range: $9,832 - $10,434 per month (Engineering Pay Plan, ENGM2 Step 1-4) Pay will be commensurate with the experience, skills, and qualifications that the candidate brings to the position.

Job Closing Date: Open until filled. Applications will be reviewed each week, starting Thursday, October 22, 2026 *If a qualified candidate is selected, the posting will be closed* There is one Engineering Senior Manager II opening with the Yakima County Public Services, Utilities Division. This position is responsible for managing the County’s water and wastewater systems to include developing, interpreting, monitoring and implementing policies, procedures and programs to ensure goals and objectives are met. Yakima County is an active utility services provider and currently owns and operates thirty water systems with approximately 2,000 hookups and three sewer systems with approximately 200 hookups.

Benefits included in position

• -Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
• -Retirement Benefits
• -Paid Vacation
• -Paid Holidays
• -Paid Sick Leave

Note: This is a Non-Bargaining Unit position. This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections)

Responsibilities

Plans, develops and implements strategies and programs to accomplish Utilities Division goals, priorities and objectives. Manages the Division’s resources – budget, employees and equipment. Develops, interprets, monitors, adjusts and implements policies and procedures and establishes precedent for the work of the Utilities Division and the County satellite management program. Evaluates and analyzes the Utilities programs including: short and long range planning; analyzing overall workload; ensuring that activities are goal oriented by prioritizing work assignments and adjusting resource allocations; and determining the need for the additional resources or contract services. Supervises staff; prioritizes, assigns and monitors work; evaluates performance; initiates and implements decisions regarding employees selection and discipline; ensures resources are available for department operations; and provides staff training and cross-training. Represents the County and/or the department at various events such as meetings, hearings, training, and bid openings; ensures that County and/or department goals, objectives, views and positions are represented. Confers with elected officials, department heads, local, state and federal officials; coordinates activities with community groups; explains and promotes programs to the constituents; responds to most sensitive inquiries and complaints and resolves policy and technical issues. Supervises, reviews and approves the development of contracts, agreements and resolutions and monitors contractor or vendor performance and contract compliance. Researches, analyzes, and responds to legal issues and systems problems; oversees reporting and control methods; and ensures compliance with laws and regulations. Prepares plans and specifications for system improvements; reviews and approves plans and specifications submitted by developers and their consultants; and prepares funding applications. Other duties required.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering AND eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience, including three (3) years in a supervisory and managerial capacity; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides knowledge, skills and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job specifically related to water and/or wastewater engineering.
• Note: A Master’s Degree in Engineering will count towards one-year work experience. A Doctor’s Degree in Engineering will count towards another year of work experience.
• Required: Professional Engineer (P.E.) certification in Washington State (or ability to obtain one within 6 months); valid State of Washington Driver’s License and proof of insurance, if requested; successful completion of a general employment verification; and, proficient with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, etc.).
• Preferred: Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator 1 Certification; Cross Connection Control Specialist Certification; or, Water Distribution Manager 2 Certification.

Equipment Used

vehicle for travel to water and wastewater sites, computer, calculator, and working knowledge of the maintenance equipment used in utilities, water and wastewater facilities and systems.

Working Conditions

This position is rated as Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Environment

excessive noise, exposure to weather, moving/mechanical parts, pathogen exposure, chemical exposure, travel, multiple work locations, and field work.

Physical Demands

carrying, handling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, balancing, climbing, hearing, smelling. talking, and visual acuity.

Intellectual Demands

ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, and ability to follow verbal instruction.

Knowledge

local, state and federal regulations related to water and wastewater system operation; leadership and supervisory theories, practices and principles; methods of community resource development and communication; contracting principles and techniques; technical utility program development methods and techniques; principles and methods of leadership and supervision; operational methods, principles, issues and service standards related to the operating water and wastewater system equipment and materials, including safety guidelines and precautions; and, customer service techniques and team building concepts.

Skills (and abilities)

using a personal computer and related software applications, and operating basic office equipment; assigning, monitoring and evaluating the work of others; applying project management techniques and coordinating work activities; developing and implementing long and short range programs; preparing and monitoring bid process and purchasing activities; collecting, compiling, organizing and maintaining information and notes of project progress and compliance; applying time management, work organization, and crisis management techniques; giving presentations, public speaking and facilitating meetings; complying with laws, codes, ordinances and regulations; researching, gathering and analyzing statistics and other information and writing reports; establishing and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships with County and other officials, contractors and businesses, staff and the public; and, communication - oral and written, sufficient to exchange and convey information and to give and to receive work direction.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish the information. Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information. Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer. THIS IS FOR PREVIOUS EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE A RECALL DATE Yakima County is one of the largest employers with over 1,000 employees providing services in all areas of law and justice, corrections, administration, public services and social services. Work locations are throughout the Valley and vary based on department. Check out the County’s website at www.yakimacounty.us for more information.

Yakima County Benefits Snapshot

• Medical, Dental, Prescription and Vision Coverage Basic Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Health Reimbursement Account (HRA- VEBA) Health Savings Account (HSA) Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Voluntary Benefits - vision, term life, critical illness, disability and other insurance plans Washington State Retirement Plan (DRS) 457 Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) Paid Vacation, Ten Paid Holidays and Sick Leave

Located in Central Washington, Yakima County is large (4,200 square miles) and diverse. Residents enjoy 300 days of sunshine each year and four distinct seasons. Yakima County is ranked first in the state in agricultural production, and is one of the top five areas in the nation in production of specialty crops. Irrigated farmlands and rolling foothills provide a backdrop to the nearby Cascade Mountains. Around 70 percent of the County’s 226,000 residents live in its 14 cities, towns and urban growth areas. The unique blend of rural and urban lifestyle choices offers a quality of living unsurpassed in the Northwest. Learn more at www.visityakima.com