Director Engineering (Wastewater)

City of Chattanooga•Chattanooga, TN

12d•$124,363 - $133,929•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Engineering Wastewater is a stand-alone position that provides leadership and direction to the Wastewater Engineering team and technical support to other Wastewater divisions and City departments. The role manages regulatory compliance for the Interceptor Sewer System, Combined Sewer System, and Sanitary Sewer Overflows, and reviews and approves consultants’ sanitary sewer projects for compliance with City and State of Tennessee design requirements. The Director performs departmental management, develops and improves policies and procedures, sets operational goals, evaluates staff procedures, and supervises wastewater utility staff. The position also helps manage day-to-day operations of the Regional Wastewater Treatment and Collection System, including capital and Consent Decree projects, strategic planning, programs, and compliance with applicable laws and standards. Duties may include coordinating Consent Decree work, developing budgets and cost estimates, monitoring expenditures, representing the City at meetings and events, and preparing and analyzing reports. The position manages professionals across engineering and related specialties and provides capital project management and technical oversight for improvements to the Moccasin Bend Environmental Campus and wastewater collection system. It may also oversee work toward Zero Net Energy for the wastewater system and serve as a technical authority for engineering projects or systems. The role is based at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 455 Moccasin Bend Road, and is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hours may vary based on assignments or projects. The position is exempt and safety-sensitive. Pre-employment screening includes a background check.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, mechanical, or chemical engineering, or a related field, and ten years of progressively responsible management experience in an engineering department focused on wastewater collection and treatment facilities, water distribution and treatment facilities, or an equivalent combination of experience and education in the water pollution control industry.
Five years of supervisory experience.
Valid driver’s license.
Registration as a Professional Engineer in Tennessee, or ability to obtain registration by reciprocity from another state within six months of starting the job.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations; grant writing; budgeting; program management and development; supervisory principles; project management; vendor management; personal computers; Microsoft Office and Google applications; and customer service principles.
Skill in monitoring and evaluating subordinate staff, responding to inquiries or complaints from customers and regulatory or business communities, exercising independent and decisive judgment, and presenting to administrators, the public, and boards.
Ability to meet regular attendance requirements, maintain good interpersonal relationships, and perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

Responsibilities

Lead and direct the Wastewater Engineering team and provide technical support to other Wastewater divisions and City departments.
Manage and help ensure regulatory compliance for the Interceptor Sewer System, Combined Sewer System, and Sanitary Sewer Overflows.
Review and approve consultants’ sanitary sewer projects for compliance with City and State of Tennessee design requirements.
Perform departmental managerial duties, help develop and improve policies and procedures, and formulate short- and long-range operational goals.
Evaluate staff procedures and recommend and implement improvements; interpret rules, policies, and procedures for staff.
Coordinate emergency preplanning with departmental personnel and governmental departments or agencies.
Supervise lower-level wastewater utility staff, including assigning and prioritizing work, conducting evaluations, ensuring training and policy compliance, maintaining a safe workplace, and making personnel recommendations.
Assist in managing the Regional Wastewater Treatment and Collection System, including capital and Consent Decree projects, programs, processes, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance.
Perform activities for the City’s Environmental Protection Agency Consent Decree program, including correspondence, reports, negotiations, meetings, plan reviews, project monitoring, and preparation or evaluation of project specifications and requests for proposals.
Provide guidance and recommendations for innovative technology projects, including the smart sewer program.
Forecast and assist with utility budgets, prepare cost estimates and justifications, and evaluate, monitor, and control expenditures.
Represent the City or Regional Wastewater System at meetings, public events, training sessions, committees, and other related events or groups.
Prepare, review, interpret, and analyze information, data, and reports; make recommendations and communicate relevant information to internal and external parties.
Participate in developing and administering the division budget, approve expenditures, and review financial statements.
Manage professionals in civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering, treatment plant processes, pump stations, collection systems, system modeling, sewage-related environmental issues, and GIS asset inventory.
Provide capital project management and technical oversight for improvements to the Moccasin Bend Environmental Campus and wastewater collection system.
May oversee work toward Zero Net Energy for the wastewater system.
May coordinate with the Consent Decree Program Manager on CMOM and projects to ensure Consent Decree compliance.
Serve as a technical authority for engineering projects or systems.
Meet attendance requirements, maintain good interpersonal relationships, and perform essential job functions in a timely manner, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Perform other duties as assigned.