Senior Engineer / Principal Engineer

Orange County Water District•Fountain Valley, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Engineer is the fourth level in a five-level engineering series, responsible for performing professional-level engineering duties in managing small to moderately complex engineering projects. The Principal Engineer is the fifth level, responsible for managing large-scale, complex engineering projects and providing advanced technical leadership. Incumbents manage engineering projects from planning through closeout, including scope, schedules, budgets, consultant services, and construction activities. They review designs, plans, and reports for accuracy and compliance, develop requests for proposals, manage consultant contracts, and monitor project progress. They ensure compliance with regulations and policies, provide engineering analyses and advice, and prepare technical reports and presentations. Field inspections, coordination with stakeholders, and budget assistance are also key functions. The Principal Engineer additionally serves as project manager for the District's largest and most technically complex projects, establishes project strategy, resolves complex issues, and advises executive management. They also lead multidisciplinary teams, develop standards, and represent the District publicly.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or another engineering discipline is required.
Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California in the appropriate engineering discipline is required.
Senior Engineer: Minimum six (6) years of related experience and/or training, preferably at the professional level in pipeline, water and wastewater treatment, pump stations, or related engineering work.
Ability to prepare technical studies and manage large projects is required.
Principal Engineer: Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional-level engineering experience.
Valid California Class “C” Driver’s License.
Positions in this class typically require reaching, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.
Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, electrical currents, fumes, odors, dust, poor ventilation, chemicals, workspace restrictions, intense noises and travel.
Incumbents require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; push, pull, lift, and/or carry light amounts of weight; verbally communicate to exchange information.
Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.
Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.
All Orange County Water District employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109).
Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
Candidates given an offer of employment will be required to pass a medical examination and background check.
You must submit an OCWD online employment application to be considered.
A valid California driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance is required.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Responsibilities

Manages engineering projects from planning through design, permitting, bidding, construction, and project closeout.
Plans, organizes, and coordinates project scope, schedules, budgets, consultant services, and construction activities.
Reviews engineering designs, plans, specifications, calculations, technical reports, and consultant work products for technical accuracy and compliance with District standards.
Develops requests for proposals; evaluates consultant qualifications and technical proposals; negotiates scopes of work; and manages consultant contracts.
Monitors project progress, budgets, schedules, and expenditures; identifies project risks and develops recommendations to resolve technical and project-related issues.
Ensures compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, permits, environmental requirements, and District policies.
Provides engineering analyses, technical recommendations, and professional advice to management, project teams, and other District departments.
Prepares and presents technical reports, agenda items, presentations, correspondence, and recommendations to management, committees, regulatory agencies, and the Board of Directors, as assigned.
Conducts field inspections and observes construction activities to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, contract requirements, and safety standards.
Coordinates with regulatory agencies, consultants, contractors, utilities, and stakeholders throughout project development and implementation.
Assists in developing, administering, and monitoring capital improvement and departmental budgets.
Provides technical guidance and mentoring to engineering staff and may review the work of lower-level engineers.
Handles job stress.
Interacts effectively with others in the workplace.
Follows all workplace and job safety rules and policies.
Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as required.
Directing engineering research and pilot studies.
Writing and administering grant and loan applications.
Pursuing research funding opportunities.
Managing specialized groundwater treatment and water resource projects.
Preparing and administering capital improvement program budgets.
Evaluating existing infrastructure and recommending rehabilitation or replacement strategies.
Developing engineering standards, specifications, and design criteria.
Providing technical tours and outreach presentations.
Reviewing and recommending alternative project delivery methods and engineering solutions.
Serving as project manager for the District's largest and most technically complex engineering projects; establishing project strategy and technical direction; resolving highly complex engineering issues; and serving as a technical advisor to executive management.
Leading multidisciplinary teams, developing engineering standards and best practices, and representing the District before regulatory agencies, professional organizations, governing bodies, and the public.