Utilities Engineering Manager

City of Auburn (Washington); Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans

Employer contributions to retirement plans

12 days paid vacation per year

11 paid holidays per year

Flexible Spending benefit plan options

Employee Wellness Program

Job summary

A municipal engineering department in Seattle seeks an experienced Utilities Engineering Manager. The role involves managing utility systems, overseeing budgeting and engineering functions, and leading a team to ensure efficient operations. Candidates should possess extensive civil engineering experience, strong supervisory skills, and the required professional license. The position offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and retirement contributions, aligning with the city's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

• 7 years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience required.
• 3 years of supervisory experience in an engineering environment necessary.
• Professional Civil Engineering License is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Manage public works utility programs including budgeting and scheduling.
• Provide technical guidance and oversee feasibility reports.
• Coordinate updates to Engineering Design and Construction standards.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Supervisory experience

Budget management

Program coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

The City of Auburn Engineering division is seeking an Utilities Engineering Manager to join our team. This position provides an opportunity for a diverse experience managing and administering three separate utility systems serving our customers and the community with the opportunity to shape policies and procedures both now and into the future.

This position performs senior-level professional engineering and senior management work within the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department. The incumbent is responsible for leading the full range of administrative, programmatic, and engineering functions of the City’s utility systems. Major responsibilities include developing and administering the Comprehensive Utility Plans and Comprehensive Facilities Plans; developing and managing the utility programs and budgets to include the Water, Sewer, and Storm Funds; supervising subordinate technical and professional staff; may be delegated to act on behalf of the Director of Public Works or City Engineer for utility issues; and representing the City’s concerns with adjacent jurisdictions, funding agencies, and boards.

Public Works Department

Our Public Works Department is a great place to work because it is a collaborative, service‑focused team committed to building and maintaining safe, reliable infrastructure for the community, and as part of the Storm Drainage Utility within Public Works, we contribute directly to protecting water quality and environmental health under the Phase II permit administered by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Primary Duties

In this role, you will:

• Manage programs for public works water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage including planning, coordinating, budgeting, scheduling, and monitoring of capital facilities, engineering, and related work, either directly or through subordinate supervisors.
• Manage the development of budgets for water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage utilities including consideration of necessary funding and staffing allocations; coordinate with the appropriate maintenance and operations division managers for development of utilities’ maintenance and operations budgets.
• Provide program priority guidance to, and works with, the appropriate maintenance and operations division managers to most effectively accomplish priorities.
• Coordinate resourcing and review of utility feasibility reports, cost of service and rate studies, environmental documents, and investigations.
• Provide technical guidance to staff; help determine alternative solutions to complex technical problems; write position papers; identify potential policy, procedure, criteria, and/or other regulatory implications.
• Oversee the review of development applications for regulatory and policy conformance and/or make recommendations for mitigation, facility extensions, paybacks, participation and design alternatives, as applicable.
• Coordinate with the City Engineer in updating the Engineering Design and Construction standards for the public utilities elements of projects within the City; and evaluate new equipment and engineering methods.
• Maintain communication with the public through local media and personal contact concerning utility matters; make presentations to City Council, Planning Commission, Hearing Examiner, public agencies, and civic groups.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited school; and
• Seven (7) years of successful, progressively responsible professional/technical civil engineering experience; with a minimum of three (3) years of successful supervisory experience in an engineering environment.

OR

• A combination of education, training, and experience that would indicate the ability to successfully perform all the primary functions of the position.

Required Licenses / Certifications

• Professional Civil Engineering License.
• Valid driver’s license without impending loss at the time of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Public sector experience.
• Engineering and management experience specific to water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage systems.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision plans with employee premiums paid by the City
• Employer contributions to the State Retirement System pension plans
• 12 days of paid vacation per year
• 11 paid holidays per year
• 2 paid floating holidays of your choice per year
• VEBA (tax‑free health savings account)
• Optional Flexible Spending benefit plan
• Deferred Compensation plan optionsEmployee Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• And more!

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Team Auburn values diverse perspectives, life experiences, and welcomes applications from people who will help us consistently demonstrate the values of equity, respect, and partnership. The department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and veterans. Individuals interested in joining our team must be committed to racial, social, and economic equality for ALL people in our community.

The City of Auburn is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.