Supervisor, Engineering Specifications and Standards - (26-SS&AM-805000-073)

District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority is seeking a Supervisor for Engineering Specifications and Standards in Washington, DC. This role involves providing technical expertise for specifications, managing standard details, and developing design manuals.

Ideal candidates will possess a Civil Engineering degree and five years of experience in the water and wastewater industry, alongside strong analytical and project management skills. A valid DC Professional Engineering License is required.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience designing projects in the water and wastewater industry.
• Experience developing and implementing standard specifications.
• A valid District of Columbia Professional Engineering License (PE) required.

Responsibilities

• Writes, updates, and maintains standard specifications and project design manuals.
• Trains staff on technical standards and specifications.
• Performs design quality control and quality assurance.

Skills

Knowledge of design and construction standards

Strong analytical skills

Project management skills

Attention to detail

Written and verbal communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Word

Excel

SharePoint

MS Teams

Job description

Supervisor, Engineering Specifications and Standards

Role Description

Provides technical expertise for specifications, standard details, qualified products, design manuals, and other technical standards.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Writes, updates, and maintains standard specifications and guide specifications (all Divisions).
• Writes, updates, and maintains project design manuals.
• Writes and manages content of technical Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Designs and creates standard details including signing and sealing responsibilities.
• Develops and manages a process that qualifies products for use on DC Water systems.
• Collects input from multiple stakeholders (staff engineers, project managers, program managers, project design engineers, design consultants, inspectors, construction contractors, and others) to update and manage standard and guide specifications, project design manuals, standard details, qualified products, and technical SOPs.
• Trains DC Water staff and other stakeholders on how to use specifications, project design manuals, standard details, qualified products list, and technical SOPs.
• Reviews track changes versions of specification deliverables to provide comment on PDE and evaluates changes for inclusion into standards.
• Collects and shares lessons learned. Manages lessons learned process to continuously improve specifications, project design manuals, standard details, qualified products, and technical SOPs.
• Makes recommendations for improved design and construction procedures.
• Supports new materials committee. Collects and shares product developments, new materials, and industry trends.
• Develops, administers, implements, and maintains design and construction standards.
• Reviews design submittals from both in‑house and consultant design teams.
• Performs design quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) and calculations back‑check as needed.
• Creates standard forms to support technical DC Water policies and procedures.
• Ensures DC Water standards are in accordance with national and global standards such as ASTM, AWWA, ACI, CSI, and DC Building Codes.
• Ensures updates to national and global standards are reflected in DC Water standards.
• Performs routine technical and administrative functions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned at the discretion of the immediate supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Provides daily planning and administration in the selection, assignment, supervision, promotion, discipline, and training of personnel within the area.

Key Working Relationships

Interacts with co‑workers in the Department and throughout the Authority, and contractors and project engineers from other organizations and agencies, etc.

Skills & Qualifications

Required Experience

Five (5) years of experience designing projects in the water and wastewater industry, including coordinating with various regional or federal agencies.

Minimum Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

Required Skills

• Knowledge of design and construction standards, building codes, materials standards, and construction contract procurement.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of standard specifications versus guide specifications and how to apply and implement each type of specification.
• Experience developing and/or implementing standard specifications.
• Experience creating and developing standard details.
• Knowledge of design standards, CSI format specifications, and construction contracting.
• Field experience working in construction related positions is a plus.
• Strong analytical, planning, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead tasks/initiatives with minimum supervision.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication, data management, and project management skills.
• Utilizes personal computer and maintains a working knowledge of applicable software programs (e.g., Word, Excel, email, SharePoint, MS Teams, etc.).

Required Licenses & Certifications

A valid District of Columbia (DC) Professional Engineering License (PE) is required at the time of hire.

Physical Requirements

• Subject to indoor and/or outdoor environmental conditions that include exposure to extreme cold and/or extreme hot temperatures.
• Subject to noise, vibration, and to hazards from a variety of physical conditions.
• Subject to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system or skin such as fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases or poor ventilation, or to exposure to oils or other cutting fluids.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

Preferred Experience

N/A.

Preferred License Requirements

Certification from the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) as a Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA) or certification from the Construction Specifications Institute as a Certified Construction Specifier (CCS).

Preferred Skills

N/A.

*The work environment characteristics described in the physical requirements section of the required skills & qualifications table are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V.

We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing.

The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination against “qualified individuals with disabilities.”

If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please email [e-mail].