Assistant Director - Utilities Engineering

City of Bellevue•Bellevue, WA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of Bellevue Utilities provides essential drinking water, wastewater, and storm and surface water services to over 150,000 customers. The Utility Capital Investment Program invests $49 Million annually in infrastructure renewal, capacity for growth, and environmental preservation. We are seeking an experienced Assistant Director to lead our Engineering Division. This role is part of the Bellevue Utilities executive team, collaborating on strategic, operational, and financial goals. The Assistant Director will oversee an $7.952 million operating budget and the delivery of the Utilities $296 million, 6-year Capital Investment Program (CIP) for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects. This position collaborates with the Utilities Director, two Deputy Directors, and other Assistant Directors to plan, develop, and implement policies and programs. The role manages complex technical and policy work, assisting the Deputy Directors and Director of Utilities in departmental leadership and management. This position reports directly to the Utilities Deputy Director for Engineering and Operations. At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest, achieving community vision, and providing fiscal stewardship. Our people bring unique skills, embrace honesty, accountability, and commitment to service, and take pride in their work. We foster an environment that values innovation, collaboration, and a future-focused approach. Bellevue embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion within its organization and for the community it serves.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in civil engineering, environmental studies, water resources management, construction management, or related field.
Eight or more years of progressively responsible managerial and administrative experience in public utilities systems.
10 years' experience developing and delivering Capital Investment Programs, including management of planning, design and construction for municipal utility projects with at least 5 years of experience in each utility (water, wastewater, stormwater), or a program of similar scope/complexity (at least $15 Million/year Capital program value).
Experience/knowledge about Utility operations and maintenance, system planning, and public works consultant and construction contracting laws, regulations, and work processes.
Experience/knowledge about environmental issues and permitting associated with utility work.
Washington State Professional Civil Engineering license is required at the time of hire.
Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in utility systems planning, engineering design, professional services and construction contracting, construction and operations/maintenance of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure systems.
Proven ability to plan, supervise and coordinate long range technical and administrative programs.
Knowledge of CIP budget development, project delivery monitoring and control including project change management and value engineering principles, portfolio management, and CIP delivery governance processes.
Ability to express self clearly, completely, and concisely, orally, and in writing.
Ability to listen and question effectively to better understand customer/employee needs and requests to ensure mutual understanding.
Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to various audiences.
Ability to communicate effectively and encourage people to accept changes in the organization.
Ability to model positive attitudes towards change to reassure others.
Ability to interpret legislation, rules and regulations.
Demonstrated understanding of federal and state regulations for public utility systems of the size/scale of Bellevue Utilities.
Understanding of City's political environment and sensitivities; and proven ability to function effectively within that environment.
Demonstrated experience representing politically sensitive or otherwise high-profile Utility issues to elected body and executive manager (City Manager).
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department employees, other City departments, community officials, citizens, State and Federal officials.
Proven success in a collaborative environment, working with Financial and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) stakeholders to achieve Utility objectives.
Firm understanding, support, and experience with applying Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) principles and practices for both internal staff and external customers.
Demonstrated experience successfully negotiating terms for collaboration with other jurisdictions/entities.
Successful experience in public engagement.
Proven ability to plan, assign, review, and supervise the work of direct reports.
Ability to provide leadership, counsel, motivation and constructive performance reviews to staff, securing their respective commitments to the department's goals.
Proven success as a leader, based on input from past subordinates, peers, and supervisors.
Ability to create team environment in which information and trust flows freely both up and down the workforce.

Nice To Haves

An MS Engineering or MPA is preferred.
Experience/knowledge about environmental issues and permitting associated with utility work is highly desirable.
Experience/knowledge about Utility operations and maintenance, system planning, and public works consultant and construction contracting laws, regulations, and work processes.

Responsibilities

Develop department policies by identifying regional and local policy needs, recommending policy options, and developing programs/procedures for implementation.
Review and obtain proper interpretations of laws, rules, and regulations affecting utility system operations.
Establish and maintain a working environment conducive to positive morale, individual style, quality, creativity, and teamwork.
Oversee a team of engineering managers responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, and developing staff in planning, CIP portfolio management, capital project management and design, construction management, and development plan review.
Allocate, direct, motivate, and evaluate division personnel to ensure employee growth and accountability.
Use performance data objectively to maintain and improve Utilities' functions.
Establish and lead results-oriented innovation and continuous process improvement projects.
Plan, develop, and implement programs, identifying outcomes, budgets, processes, and priorities, and obtaining resources via budget, contracting, or inter-local agreements.
Negotiate and administer contracts and professional services agreements with contractors, consultants, and franchise operators.
Develop interdepartmental partnerships and/or partnerships with outside stakeholders.
Prepare and present oral and written reports and responses to the department director, City Council, other city departments, the Environmental Services Commission, regional committees and subcommittees, and the public.
Serve as Acting Director in the absence of the Deputy Directors and Director of Utilities.
Provide leadership to the Utilities Department, implementing the City's and Utilities' vision and mission, supporting strategic planning, ensuring quality of services, sound financial performance, and customer satisfaction.
Manage resolution of major departmental issues, create a collaborative work environment, and foster open communication.
Model core values, work rules, and Utilities Department culture, and support department leadership team decisions.
Provide leadership and management oversight of approximately 50 staff members, primarily technical staff.
Lead budget development, analysis, and monitoring for the Engineering Division.
Provide leadership and management of Utility Systems Planning, CIP Portfolio Management and Administration, Asset Management, Project Management, Construction Management, and Private Development Utilities Plan Review sections.
Provide leadership coordination with other Utilities Divisions and other departments in the City.