Engineering Senior Manager II-Utilities Division

Yakima County, Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

Yakima County Public Services, Utilities Division, is seeking an Engineering Senior Manager II to lead water and wastewater systems, develop policies, monitor programs and ensure compliance with laws and regulations. This role manages budgets, staff and contracts, and interfaces with elected officials and community groups.

The position requires a PE license in Washington, a relevant civil engineering degree with extensive supervisory experience, and strong project management capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and eight years of progressively responsible experience with three years in supervisory roles.
• Master’s degree counts toward one year of experience; Doctorate counts toward another year.
• P.E. certification in WA (or ability to obtain within six months) and a valid WA driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop and implement strategies to meet Utilities Division goals.
• Manage the Division’s budget, employees and equipment.
• Develop, interpret, monitor and adjust policies, procedures and contracts.
• Supervise staff and monitor performance, training and cross-training.
• Represent the County at meetings, hearings and community events; liaise with officials.
• Oversee contracts, vendor performance and contract compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Team supervision

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

8 years experience incl. 3 in supervision

Equivalent education/experience

Master’s Degree counts toward 1 year

Doctor’s Degree counts toward 1 year

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Engineering Senior Manager II-J23-U00-S

Regular

Exempt (ineligible for overtime)

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.

Essential Duties:

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.