Principal Engineer- Stormwater Infrastructure

City of Durham; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 87,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Durham’s Environmental and Street Services Department seeks a Principal Engineer/Senior Engineer to lead the Stormwater Infrastructure Group’s Drainage & Floodplain Unit, overseeing floodplain management, grants, contracts, and customer service. The role requires hydrology and hydraulics expertise, strong project management, and excellent communication.

You will coordinate with agencies, manage NFIP/HMGP/CRS programs, and supervise staff and budgets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, earth science, or related field.
• Five years of related engineering experience.
• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record or acquired within 60 days of hire.
• North Carolina Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent as determined by the City.
• Certified Floodplain Manager certification.
• Experience with hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and modeling of drainage systems and floodplains.
• Two years of supervisory experience (such as a team lead, supervisor, manager, etc.).
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for the City of Durham, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Division of Water Resources, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• Experience working in or with municipalities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a lead worker by assigning tasks, monitoring progress, establishing individual and unit goals, and supervising engineering technicians and specialists.
• Manages the City’s response to drainage concerns on private property and within public rights-of-way, coordinating closely with Stormwater Maintenance and Infrastructure Projects teams.
• Coordinates with state and federal agencies on floodplain mapping for FIRM revisions and ensures the City’s web content and GIS mapping remain accurate and up to date.
• Oversees the City’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), and Community Rating System (CRS).
• Proactively advances Durham’s flood resiliency across prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Provides floodplain technical assistance to the Floodplain Administrator and City staff.
• Manages City-County Flood Warning Systems, including software administration, observation assessment and reporting, gage network improvements, and training of critical end users.
• Represents the City at Durham County Emergency Management’s Emergency Operations Center during flooding events. Actively participates in Local Emergency Planning Committee meetings and other assigned committees and boards, leading efforts to strengthen the City’s flood resiliency.
• Provides input on proposed amendments to floodplain development regulations.
• Manages programs, projects, and assigned departmental operations; develops and administers contracts; prepares project scopes, budgets, and schedules; develops and maintains operational policies and procedures; trains staff; improves operational processes; and assists with grant applications and grant management.
• Prepares, reviews, and analyzes engineering plans, drawings, reports, bids, contracts, agreements, specifications, RFQs/RFPs, ordinances, and City Council communications.
• Assists with organizing and attending public meetings; provides technical expertise and consultation to City departments and external agencies; and delivers training as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Customer service

Verbal and written communication

Team supervision

Hydrology knowledge

Hydraulics knowledge

Floodplain management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, earth science, or related field

North Carolina Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent

Certified Floodplain Manager certification

Tools

ArcGIS

Cityworks

Job description

Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham

Hiring Range: $87,367 - $135,428

Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

This position is eligible for a one-time $5,000 sign-on bonus that will be paid upon successful completion of the new hire’s six-month probationary period. Internal promotional/transfer hires are not eligible.

***This opening is being advertised as both a Principal Engineer and Senior Engineer position to fill one vacancy. Applicants will only be considered for the position(s) in which they apply.

A flexible work environment, top-notch management, highly qualified, competent staff and opportunities for career advancement and professional success make Durham's Environmental and Street Services Department a great place to work. We create the foundation on which Durham is built, using innovative methods that support the City's growth and enhance our quality of life. If growing professionally while serving your community is for you, bring your skills to Durham!

This position, within the Engineering and Stormwater Division, provides leadership for the Stormwater Infrastructure Group’s Drainage & Floodplain Unit. Its primary purpose is to oversee a range of floodplain management activities; administer grants; manage service, professional service, and construction contracts; and ensure responsive, high-quality customer service for drainage-related inquiries and investigations. It requires a sound knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, and floodplain management obtained through education and experience. Project management experience and solid organization and administrative skills are required to track multiple assignments and document status. Excellent customer service skills, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills are needed for routine communication with staff, agencies, and residents. Working knowledge of databases, ArcGIS, and Cityworks is needed in the fulfillment of job duties. Other responsibilities include providing administrative, technical, and contractual support, attending meetings, and other duties as assigned.

• Serves as a lead worker by assigning tasks, monitoring progress, establishing individual and unit goals, and supervising engineering technicians and specialists. Responsibilities include conducting performance evaluations, coordinating training, and implementing hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.
• Manages the City’s response to drainage concerns on private property and within public rights-of-way, coordinating closely with Stormwater Maintenance and Infrastructure Projects teams.
• Coordinates with state and federal agencies on floodplain mapping for FIRM revisions and ensures the City’s web content and GIS mapping remain accurate and up to date.
• Oversees the City’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), and Community Rating System (CRS). Proactively advances Durham’s flood resiliency across prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Provides floodplain technical assistance to the Floodplain Administrator and City staff.
• Manages City-County Flood Warning Systems, including software administration, observation assessment and reporting, gage network improvements, and training of critical end users.
• Represents the City at Durham County Emergency Management’s Emergency Operations Center during flooding events. Actively participates in Local Emergency Planning Committee meetings and other assigned committees and boards, leading efforts to strengthen the City’s flood resiliency.
• Provides input on proposed amendments to floodplain development regulations.
• Manages programs, projects, and assigned departmental operations; develops and administers contracts; prepares project scopes, budgets, and schedules; develops and maintains operational policies and procedures; trains staff; improves operational processes; and assists with grant applications and grant management.
• Prepares, reviews, and analyzes engineering plans, drawings, reports, bids, contracts, agreements, specifications, RFQs/RFPs, ordinances, and City Council communications.
• Assists with organizing and attending public meetings; provides technical expertise and consultation to City departments and external agencies; and delivers training as needed.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, earth science, or a related field.
• Five years of related years of related engineering experience.
• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record or acquired within 60 days of hire.
• North Carolina Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent as determined by the City.
• Certified Floodplain Manager certification.

• Experience with hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and modeling of drainage systems and floodplains.
• Two years of supervisory experience (such as a team lead, supervisor, manager, etc.).
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements for the City of Durham, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Division of Water Resources, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• Experience working in or with municipalities.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.