Drainage Engineer III

King CountyRenton, WA
Hybrid

About The Position

King County Road Services Division is seeking an experienced civil engineer to join the Engineering Section as a Drainage Engineer / Project Manager (Engineer III). This position leads drainage improvement projects from design through construction primarily using County Roads design and construction staff with minor assistance from design consultants and private construction contractors. This position will be focused on solving drainage problems and slide repairs within County right-of-way. The role carries primary responsibility for technical review and compliance with King County Road Standards and the King County Surface Water Design Manual. You'll work alongside a team of engineers and support staff who take the technical work seriously and value getting it right in the field. The Department of Local Services includes a Director's Office, and the Road Services and Permitting Divisions. Together, this department provides a single executive point of accountability for delivering local services to all unincorporated areas. The King County Road Services Division designs, builds, operates, and maintains roads and bridges in unincorporated areas of King County. The Division is committed to ensuring the county's transportation system is safe and efficient for all uses and modes of travel.

Requirements

  • Four or more years of experience or bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, or closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
  • Three or more years of progressively responsible professional civil engineering experience in developing road, traffic, and/or drainage design plans, specifications, and cost estimates (PS&E packages) for capital infrastructure projects, including developing and managing scopes, schedules, and budgets.
  • Proficient in hydrology and hydraulic software, including MGS Flood and backwater computer programs (e.g., EPA-SWMM, KC Backwater, etc) or equivalent.
  • Proficient in the use of GIS programs and engineering survey techniques (e.g., level loop, GPS, baseline field survey) for drainage and slide projects.
  • Experienced in using AutoCAD and/or Civil3D.
  • Experienced with drainage, roadway, maintenance, and construction practices, including relevant standards and design principles.
  • Working knowledge of APWA/WSDOT Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction.
  • Able to lead technical work, facilitate difficult conversations, and apply sound project management principles.
  • Able to manage and prioritize a high volume of diverse projects and multiple competing tasks with strong attention to detail.
  • Skilled in problem solving and managing conflict effectively.
  • Skilled in handling politically sensitive issues with professionalism and discretion.
  • Experienced in collaborating within teams that foster a diverse, inclusive, and respectful work environment where differences are valued.
  • Proficient in standard MS Office and project management software.
  • Must have a valid Washington State driver’s license, or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of hire.
  • Must successfully pass a pre-employment physical.

Nice To Haves

  • A valid Washington Professional Engineer (PE) license or the ability to transfer license to Washington State within 90 days of hire.
  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction management, or closely related field.
  • Project Management training and/or Project Management Certification.
  • Experienced in floodplain modeling, stream geomorphology, and fish passage design with a strong working knowledge of each area.
  • Experience in consultant contract preparation, negotiation, and administration.

Responsibilities

  • Serve in a lead technical capacity on drainage, emergency repair, and fish passage projects, coordinating daily work with engineering and field staff.
  • Coordinate drainage improvement project construction with county crew chiefs.
  • Manage assigned capital improvement projects, including schedules, budgets, and work plans.
  • Lead a team of three Engineer II’s under the supervision of an Engineer IV.
  • Prepare road drainage plans, slide repair plans, and drainage design reports to meet King County Road Standards, Surface Water Design Manual, and local, state, and federal environmental regulations.
  • Serve as liaison between the County and the public, consultants, permitting agencies, operations, engineering and maintenance staff (e.g. maintenance supervisors, crews), and other internal and external staff.
  • Lead the review of construction documents and design packages by in-house and consultant staff.
  • Develop and manage the preparation of hydrologic reports, hydraulic analyses, modeling reports, contract plans, specifications, special provisions, and cost estimates.
  • Manage internal and external stakeholder expectations and resolve project conflicts.
  • Applying equity, racial and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role, you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work.

Benefits

  • Overtime pay, with prior supervisor approval.
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