Graduate Engineer (Drinking Water)

Water Otter Job Board; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid-telework for eligible positions

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement pension

Job summary

The City of Houston is seeking a Graduate Engineer to lead the Drinking Water Operations team at Houston Water. This role requires strong leadership, regulatory knowledge, and technical acumen to manage water quality programs and GIS assets.

You will coordinate with multiple city departments and stakeholders to ensure safe, compliant drinking water services and drive continuous improvement in operations and project delivery.

Qualifications

• Requires engineering degree (Bachelor or higher) or equivalent.
• Possession of Engineering-in-Training (EIT) certificate or Texas FE path is acceptable.
• Experience not required; leadership and coordination skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead a water quality team including residual mapping and system flushing.
• Oversee regulatory compliance and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requirements.
• Manage water line disinfection program for new and repaired lines.
• Utilize and improve the Drinking Water Operations GIS.
• Schedule and monitor system shutdowns and pressure monitoring programs.
• Coordinate with multiple internal and external stakeholders on drinking water assets.

Skills

Team leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

GIS

Project management

Job description

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications Accepted From : ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Service Line/Section: Houston Water/Drinking Water Operations

Location: 7027 Ardmore St, Houston, TX 77054, USA

Workdays & Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.

*Subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Houston Water is a team of approximately 1,500 drinking water and wastewater professionals, including but not limited to operators, mechanics, engineers, scientists, planners, regulatory and business personnel. The City of Houston Water and Wastewater Utility is a regulated public health agency governed by federal and state laws. Our staff maintains professional licenses issued by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and other public health agencies.

The Graduate Engineer will be leading a team who are responsible for various support functions in Drinking Water Operations (DWO). The successful candidate will be highly self-motivated and technically proficient leader with excellent judgement and communication skills.

The primary areas of responsibility for this position will include:

• Leading a water quality team, including residual mapping and system flushing;
• Leading on topics associated with regulatory compliance and the TCEQ;
• Managing the new and repaired water line disinfection program;
• Using and improving DWO’s Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Scheduling and monitoring system shutdowns
• Leading and managing the pressure monitoring program
• Liaising with various internal and external stakeholders including Houston Water Planning, Capital Projects, Office of the City Engineer, Houston Permitting Center, Customer Account Services, Regulatory Compliance, Contractors, Engineers, Vendors, and Houston Public Works leadership. Liaison activities will largely revolve around leading and managing Drinking Water assets:
  • Project and Contract Management
  • Reviewing Invoices
  • Creating and Monitoring Budgets
  • Project scoping
  • Reviewing Reports and Implementing Action Items
  • Water Conservation
  • Water Loss Tracking
  • Coordinating Meetings
  • Project Plan Reviews
  • Reviewing Variances
  • Reviewing Project Change Approval Forms (PCAFs)
  • Reviewing and Assessing New Technology

CORE VALUES

In alignment with the Houston Public Works Five to Thrive Values we adhere to the following core values:

Respect - we listen and care

• Lead a team of diverse skill sets with a focus on team building, communication, and alignment of goals to achieve organizational efficiencies.
• Develop health and safety practices and oversee compliance of those practices.
• Meet with team members and stakeholders to understand issues and explain operation policies, programs, objectives and/or initiatives.

Ownership - we find solutions, instead of excuses

• Lead the team by providing general oversight and strategic planning initiatives to improve efficiencies, reporting, quality, and regulatory compliance.
• Assess, manage, and mitigate the principal risks
• Assess current practices and management processes to implement an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, and procedures.
• Oversee emergency management for the team including ensuring staff are properly trained, standard operating procedures are updated, distributed, and followed.

Communication - we are reliable and clear

• Monitor operational effectiveness through reports on status, adequate resources, feedback, and analytics.
• Establish and coordinate a variety of special projects to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental operations, processes, and procedures.
• Work to ensure the department director's expectations are met and exceeded.

Integrity - we are truthful and keep our word

• Foster a team culture that promotes ethical practices, customer focus, and service and encourages individual integrity.

Teamwork - we work together

• Develop, in collaboration with the Houston Water Director, an annual operating plan the supports the long-term strategy.
• Oversee long-range planning for capital improvement projects, maintenance projects, technology and service initiatives.
• Motivate and lead a high-performance management team.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about walking, standing, etc. There are occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than-optimal temperature and air conditions. The position may involve dealing with modestly unpleasant situations, as with occasional exposure to office chemicals and/or extensive use of a video display terminal.

This is a Department of Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier II Level.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requires graduation from approved curriculum in engineering that is approved by the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers with a satisfactory standing.

OR

Requires graduation from an engineering or related science curriculum at a recognized institution of higher education, other than a curriculum approved by the Board and passage of the eight-hour fundamentals of engineering examination prescribed by the Board.

OR

Possession of a valid Engineering-in-Training Certificate issued by the Board under the current requirements of the Texas Engineering Practice Act.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

No experience required.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

None

PREFERENCES

****Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

None

However, the department may administer a skill assessment evaluation.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION

Yes

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

Must be able to pass a criminal background check, obtain and maintain federally mandated security clearances where required.

EOE Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade 22

Closing Date/Time: 10/23/2026 11:59 PM Central