Senior Engineer (Design Services)

San Diego County Water Authority•San Diego, CA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The San Diego County Water Authority is hiring a Senior Engineer for its Engineering Department’s Design Services Group. The Water Authority is an independent public agency and regional water wholesaler serving 22 retail water providers. Its Engineering Department designs and constructs regional water facilities for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), supports major repairs and other agency functions, and provides engineering services to internal departments and member agencies. The Design Services Group develops plans and specifications for water infrastructure projects, supports other Water Authority groups, and procures and manages consultant designs. The Senior Engineer serves as project manager and technical leader for complex engineering projects. The position performs advanced engineering analysis, research, planning, design, and construction-management support for capital improvement and major maintenance projects. It also supervises and reviews the work of assigned professional and technical staff and provides programmatic support across Water Authority initiatives. The role manages larger, more complex projects or portfolios and leads a professional team. The position requires technical leadership, project management, scheduling and controls, project financial management, knowledge of Water Authority policies and procedures, and utilities engineering. The incumbent coordinates work with people inside and outside the Water Authority and exercises judgment and initiative in managing projects and teams. Employees assigned to the Kearny Mesa office work a 9/80 schedule, with the facility closed every other Friday. Telework of up to one day bi-weekly is available; employees must be able to report to Water Authority facilities as operational needs require. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field and eight years of professional engineering experience, including public water or utility design, construction, and project scheduling and control tools. At least two years must be at the level of the Water Authority’s Engineer (P.E.) class. A valid California Professional Engineer registration and California driver’s license, with the ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority, are also required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or a related field.
Eight years of professional engineering experience, including public water or utility design, construction, and use of project scheduling and control tools.
At least two years of experience at the level of the Water Authority’s Engineer (P.E.) class.
Valid Professional Engineer registration issued by the State of California.
Valid California driver’s license and ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority.
Technical competence in leadership, project management, project scheduling and controls, project financial management, Water Authority policies and procedures, and utilities engineering.
Ability to manage complex projects, coordinate teams, exercise judgment and initiative, and supervise and support professional and technical staff.

Responsibilities

Manage, plan, organize, coordinate, and evaluate project teams responsible for capital projects.
Develop, implement, and monitor project plans, critical-path events, schedules, budgets, standards, processes, and procedures.
Support development of Water Authority programs, including the CIP and Engineering Department priorities.
Supervise, lead, and train assigned staff, providing daily leadership and project management to support a high-performance work environment.
Manage planning, design, preparation, and construction of assigned capital improvement projects using in-house staff, consultants, and construction contractors.
Prepare cost estimates; establish project scope, schedules, and task-level budgets; and prepare variance analysis reports.
Prepare professional-services requests for proposals; evaluate and select consultants; and negotiate, administer, and manage agreements for geotechnical, design, construction-management, inspection, and specialty services.
Review drawings and specifications for compliance with Water Authority standards; interpret specifications and policies; initiate or review change orders; and ensure regulatory compliance.
Prepare periodic project reports, respond to requests for information, and seal final design plans and documents.
Represent the Water Authority with consultants and contractors, prepare technical and contract-related correspondence, and coordinate project activities with departments, member agencies, and other entities.
Recommend changes to design and construction standards and Water Authority processes, and interpret applicable laws, regulations, policies, and design standards.
Participate in CIP and operating-budget recommendations; authorize material purchases; and monitor activities and expenditures to control cost, quality, and safety.
Respond to inquiries from member agencies, public entities, and the public, and represent the Water Authority at meetings and, when needed, public hearings.
Track and evaluate project progress and issues, and prepare reports and presentations for Water Authority management and the Board.
Participate in preparing interagency agreements.
Provide programmatic support to initiatives such as the CIP, Right of Way management, Aqueduct Protection Program, and urgent repairs.