Director - Engineering

Louisville Water Company•Louisville, KY

12h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director - Engineering is responsible for planning and directing the activities of the Facilities Management, MRRP Engineering, and Distribution Extensions Engineering departments. This role involves developing, executing, and managing significant operational and capital budgets. Key responsibilities include administering the company’s capital improvement program for various facilities and infrastructure, overseeing all engineering work related to these projects, and ensuring compliance with regulations and project specifications. The Director will also provide leadership to department managers, supervise property program activities, and engage with external stakeholders such as developers, public officials, and engineering consultants. The position requires analyzing construction problems, ensuring proper operation and maintenance of company buildings and facilities, and implementing preventative maintenance programs. Furthermore, the Director is tasked with ensuring OSHA compliance, managing contract services, fostering a productive work environment, identifying customer needs, defining performance measures, and aligning department plans with company strategy while leading continuous improvement initiatives. The role also includes coaching, counseling, and evaluating personnel, and engaging in continuous career development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
Ten (10) years of engineering experience
Seven (7) years management experience with direct responsibility/accountability for the work of others, preferably in the utility industry
Professional Engineer (PE) license (State of Kentucky)
Valid driver’s license

Responsibilities

Plan and direct the activities of departments: Facilities Management, MRRP Engineering, and Distribution Extensions Engineering.
Develop, execute, and manage the department’s $4.2 million operational and $70+ million capital budgets.
Administer the company’s capital improvement program for facilities, buildings and grounds, distribution and transmission mains, booster pump stations and water storage facilities, including planning collaboration, design, construction and inspection of capital improvement projects, administration of project funding, budgets and schedules; review and approval of reports, plans and specifications; including coordination of the planning and engineering of interdepartmental capital improvement projects and external consultant selection.
Oversee all engineering work in connection with capital improvement projects and special projects/programs for all company facilities, buildings and grounds, distribution and transmission mains, booster pump stations, and water storage facilities.
Provide direction and support to department managers.
Directly supervise Property Program Manager to ensure good-faith easement negotiations are conducted and that procurement procedures are followed to secure easements necessary to support execution of the capital improvement program.
Ensure external leasing agreements involving Louisville Water properties or other assets achieve reasonable value.
Review contracts and proposed designs for capital improvement projects and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, project specifications, and applicable codes and determine the feasibility of the proposed design.
Meet with developers, public officials, fire districts, engineering consultants, and others regarding their water service needs.
Communicate in open public hearings/meetings and make formal presentations to various constituency groups, including local and regional water management councils, developers, homebuilders, and fire protection districts.
Analyze construction problems, recommend and coordinate resolutions.
Ensure proper operation and maintenance of all company buildings and facilities, including but not limited to: HVAC systems, electrical/mechanical systems and equipment, fire protection systems, plumbing, elevators, roof systems, and security systems.
Conduct regular assessments of facilities to identify needed improvements and repairs.
Oversee the coordination of building space allocation, layout, and facility expansion.
Implement and maintain preventative maintenance programs.
Comply with and keep abreast of all OSHA regulations and company safety policies; ensure all staff attend required training in hazardous communication and safety as required.
Ensure contract services are properly completed or supervised in accordance with contractual agreements/work orders (including for building contracts, cleaning contracts, equipment contracts, etc.).
Develop and promote a cohesive and productive work system through effective communication and consistent implementation of policies and procedures.
Continuously identify customer needs and improve department processes to meet them effectively.
Define and communicate performance measures and deliver operational objectives within budget while maintaining high internal and external customer satisfaction.
Align department plans with the company strategy, partner across departments to support enterprise success, and lead continuous improvement.
Coach, counsel, and evaluate personnel operating within the system and ensure they are fully trained, competent, and empowered.
Engage in continuous career development.
Manage union, non-exempt, exempt, supervisor, manager, and contract vendor employees.
Responsible for the performance management of employees within the department.