Supervising Engineer (Austin Water)

Careers In Government; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 119,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

City of Austin is seeking a Supervising Engineer in the Austin Water department to lead engineering teams, manage budgets, and drive planning for water and wastewater projects.

You will review plans, coordinate with consultants and contractors, and ensure compliance with city policies. A Texas PE license and 8 years of experience with leadership are required, with some telework option and a competitive pay range.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Eight (8) years of related experience, including two (2) years in a lead or supervisory capacity.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas, or license in another state with ability to obtain Texas P.E. within six months.

Responsibilities

• Provides technical advice and direction to internal and external customers.
• Manages, coordinates, implements, or monitors projects or programs.
• Develops, manages, and monitors project budgets and forecasts.
• Develops and implements policies, procedures, and ordinances; ensures regulatory compliance.
• Reviews plans, specs, and change orders; negotiates contracts and monitors costs.
• Represents the department in meetings with City Council and other agencies.
• Trains and leads staff; supports 24/7 emergency response as needed.

Skills

Supervisory leadership

Budget management

Communication

Project coordination

Policy development

Negotiation

Technical engineering knowledge

Conflict resolution

Team building

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Job description

Job Description

About This Position

ABOUT AUSTIN WATER:

For over 100 years, Austin Water has been committed to providing safe, reliable, high-quality, and affordable water services to our customers. Today, we serve over 1,000,000 people in the Austin metropolitan area, across more than 548 square miles.

As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, we are not just keeping up-we're leading the way with sustainable infrastructure, advanced treatment technology, and environmental innovation.

Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country when it comes to water quality. We also treat, return, and recycle wastewater in ways that protect environmental resources. Austin Water exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance at our water and wastewater treatment plants.

Job Description

Supervising Engineer

Purpose

Under nominal direction, this position is accountable for managing or supervising and implementing engineering functions of a major division, program, or activities including budgeting, staffing, development of policies and procedures, and providing support to accomplish overall goals and objectives of the City of Austin.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

• Provides technical advice and direction to internal and external customers. Manages, coordinates, implements, or monitors projects or programs, including the review of plans and development proposals for impacts related to project or program. Recommends revisions and permit requirements to mitigate negative impacts of development and assures plans conform to City policies. Resolves conflicts in difficult situations.
• Develops, manages, and monitors the budget of projects. Assists in developing, managing, and submitting proposed budget forecast planning for short- and long-term City planning.
• Develops and implements standard operating procedures, policies, codes, and ordinances by applying advanced technical knowledge and applying changes to meet departmental business goals and objectives. Monitors projects for regulatory compliance.
• Develops and evaluates a variety of projects, programs, or plans. Develops long- and short-term planning and strategies for programs.
• Develops design criteria. Reviews or approves plans and specifications, change orders, and estimates.
• Negotiates contract terms, fees, and scope of contract including reviewing monthly progress reports, verifying final quantities and costs, compiling requisite documentation, reviewing change orders, and auditing as-built records. Acts as a liaison among consultants, contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, fabricators, suppliers, and the City. Negotiates problems of changes, errors, or deficiencies and ensures compliance with project specifications and requirements.
• Attends meetings and conducts presentations to City Council, boards and commissions, and other related agencies. Coordinates and cooperates with other agencies, departments, divisions, and private utilities involved in or affected by project(s).
• Interacts with internal and external customers to assess needs by responding to inquiries from the public and other departments about the process, requirements, and procedures of the development process. Investigates and resolves complaints from the public.
• Reviews and evaluates technical and management audits.
• Develops training and team building programs by determining business needs and scope of work performed by personnel and implementing programs.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised

• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of supervisory and/or management skills to programs, projects, and personnel.
• Knowledge of diversified and fundamental scientific and civil engineering concepts, phenomena, and relationships and utilizes such changes in solution of theoretical or practical civil engineering problems.
• Knowledge of advanced mathematical techniques such as trigonometry, calculus, and coordinate geometry.
• Knowledge of modern methods, materials, and techniques of assigned discipline.
• Knowledge of one or more of the following disciplines: Civil, Environmental, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, and/or Electrical engineering terminology and techniques.
• Knowledge of City of Austin budget planning, purchasing, and contract policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicability of established engineering principles and methods.
• Knowledge of phases of the plans review and inspections processes.
• Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within the Local and State ordinances and laws.
• Skill in oral and written technical or general communication including preparation of written reports.
• Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
• Ability to rapidly and accurately perform more complex engineering computations, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Ability to communicate and provide direction to peers and assigned personnel.
• Ability to organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate scientific civil engineering problems and provide practical and cost effective solutions.
• Ability to observe, compare, or monitor objects and data to determine compliance with prescribed operating or safety standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Engineering, plus eight (8) years of related experience acquired before and/or after licensing as a professional engineer, including two (2) years of which were in a lead or supervisory capacity.

Licenses and Certifications Required

• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, must have the ability to obtain a Texas P.E. license within six (6) months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in scoping and prioritizing CIP projects and developing CIP plans.
• Experience with condition, criticality, and risk analysis for water and wastewater horizontal assets such as water and sewer pipes.
• Ability to support staff participating in a rotating on-call schedule for 24/7 emergency response to Sanitary Sewer Overflows.
• The ability to traverse rugged terrain to reach wastewater collection systems components that are located in remote areas with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

Notes to Candidate

Position Overview

Austin Water is a large and complex department of the City of Austin, with over 1,300 employees, and multiple facilities across a wide geographical area. Austin Water provides drinking water and wastewater services to over one million customers in the Austin area and manages over 40,000 acres of preserve land for drinking water quality and endangered species habitat. Austin Water's Engineering and Technical Services program area is seeking a Supervising Engineer to lead an engineering team responsible for water and wastewater pipeline risk assessment and project scoping.

Pay Range

• $118,900 - $152,200 annually

Work Location

• Webberville Service Center, 2600 Webberville Rd, Austin TX 78702

Days & Hours

• M-F, 7:30am - 4:30pm, with some flexibility and the option to telework.

Benefits

• Working with Austin Water provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more -

Critical

• This position has been designated as critical for the City of Austin. Critical positions are necessary and vital and support activities that impact City or department operations. Work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees may be reassigned to another area to provide essential services to support any extraordinary situations or emergency conditions.

Important Note to Applicants

All Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free.

Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

EEO Statement for City of Austin

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call [phone] or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-10-05