Senior Water Infrastructure Planning Leader

California Water Service; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 177,000; Full time

Job summary

California Water Service is seeking an experienced engineer to lead complex water utility projects. This advanced journey level role provides technical supervision, mentors junior engineers, and may present to districts and outside agencies.

The position can be located in San Jose, Bakersfield, or Torrance, CA. Responsibilities include solving problems, performing hydraulic analyses, preparing cost estimations, updating maps and databases, and presenting at public forums.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field and or equivalent relevant experience; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible engineering experience in water utility engineering, hydraulic modeling, system planning, operations engineering, infrastructure planning, engineering design, or related fields.
• California Engineer in Training certification preferred
• California Professional Engineer registration preferred
• Demonstrated ability to independently assess complex water systems and translate identified needs into actionable capital improvements.
• Knowledge of water system planning, design, operations, and infrastructure improvement programs.
• Experience performing hydraulic analyses or developing, reviewing, or interpreting hydraulic models for water systems .
• Experience with hydraulic modeling software such as InfoWater, or similar platforms preferred.
• Knowledge of capital planning, project development, prioritization, budgeting, and asset management principles.
• Knowledge of utility regulatory requirements, including drinking water regulations and Public Utilities Commission rate case processes preferred.
• Ability to assess infrastructure needs, develop planning-level solutions, and prepare project scopes and justifications.
• Ability to analyze technical, operational, regulatory, and financial information to support capital investment decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, project justifications, presentations, procedures, and technical documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with GIS, asset management systems, capital planning systems, project management software, or related engineering applications preferred.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.
• Valid California Driver License

Responsibilities

• Assesses, analyzes, and solves problems related to job functions.
• Leads meetings with Cal Water staff and public agencies to assess problems and determine solutions.
• Conducts research on existing infrastructure using databases, maps, drawings, photos, and paper files.
• Independently locates or develops needed data.
• Performs engineering calculations to solve advanced problems using logical assumptions.
• Creates solicitation documents (RFBs, RFPs, RFQs) and reviews contractor bids; selects the most appropriate bidder.
• Provides updates to maps, drawings, and databases to reflect new projects or fix errors.
• Prepares data tables, graphs, cost estimations, justifications, and reports required for evaluating projects.
• Assesses solutions to problems presented by others, assists in planning and prepares projects for capital budget and PUC rate filings.
• Directs the work of technicians and interns.
• Operates a provided company vehicle for travel to field locations.
• Participates in Continuous Improvement activities to improve operations.
• Conducts project safety planning and develops project safety documentation.
• Presents information in a public forum to state or local government agencies, districts, or local communities.
• Makes project related decisions based on lowest life cycle cost calculations.
• Routinely directs and trains other engineers; occasionally reviews the work of other engineers.
• Manages project resources.
• Reviews policies, procedures, specifications and standard drawings and researches new technologies.
• Performs work on site in assigned office location

Skills

Public speaking

Verbal communication

Written communication

Leadership

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Master's degree preferred

California Engineer in Training certification preferred

California Professional Engineer registration preferred

6+ years water engineering experience

Tools

GIS

InfoWater or similar

Project management software

Excel

MS Office (Word/PowerPoint)

Job description

California Water Service is seeking an experienced engineer to lead complex water utility projects. This advanced journey level role provides technical supervision, mentors junior engineers, and may present to districts and outside agencies.

The position can be located in San Jose, Bakersfield, or Torrance, CA. Responsibilities include solving problems, performing hydraulic analyses, preparing cost estimations, updating maps and databases, and presenting at public forums.