Utility Engineer

City of North Port•North Port, FL

About The Position

The Utility Engineer provides professional administrative and technical engineering and management support to the Utilities Engineering Division Manager and Assistant Director, including support for utility engineering and asset management. The role may have direct or indirect supervisory responsibilities and reports to the Utilities Engineering Division Manager. The position plans, budgets, designs, permits, and manages construction and other functions for utility capital and non-capital projects. It supports asset management for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water infrastructure; leads risk, criticality, and condition assessments; and provides engineering recommendations for system improvements, permitting, and infrastructure repair and replacement. The engineer also coordinates with internal teams, consultants, developers, regulatory agencies, FDOT, and local utility partners. The role may direct the Engineering Department in the Utilities Engineering Division Manager’s absence. All City employees may be recalled around the clock for emergency response, which can involve irregular hours, alternate work locations, and physically or operationally challenging conditions.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field; comparable relevant training, education, and/or experience may be substituted.
Ten years of work experience in civil, environmental, water, or wastewater engineering; comparable relevant training, education, and/or experience may be substituted.
Valid Florida Driver’s License.
Florida Professional Engineer license, or ability to obtain one within six months.
Knowledge of utility engineering and construction practices and water and wastewater utility procedures.
Knowledge of regulations relating to utility programs, including federal and state utility regulations.
Knowledge of civil and environmental engineering practices as they relate to water and wastewater construction and operations.
Knowledge and practice of project and construction management.
Skill using small office equipment, including copy machines and multi-line telephone systems.
Ability to apply mathematics to engineering work; prepare complex reports, specifications, and permits; and create and deliver professional presentations.
Ability to organize, communicate effectively, analyze work methods and procedures, and explain ordinances and policies to the public.
Ability to plan, schedule, coordinate, and review subordinate work in a manner that supports performance and morale; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
Ability to use computer hardware and software effectively, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, AutoCAD, and Smartsheet or other project management software.
Subject to recall around the clock for emergency response operations, potentially involving irregular hours, alternate work locations, other duties, and physically or operationally challenging conditions.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

Support the Utilities Engineering Division Manager and Assistant Director in developing and managing engineering and construction for the City’s utility systems.
Plan, budget, engineer, design, permit, construct, and manage capital and non-capital utility projects.
Evaluate system expansion projects, process control changes, and system improvements, making recommendations with emphasis on longevity and cost effectiveness.
Manage engineering support for the asset management program for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water infrastructure, including linear and vertical assets.
Lead risk, criticality, and condition assessment programs to plan infrastructure repair and replacement.
Provide engineering advice for establishing and managing Asset Management Plans and serve as an internal technical resource to the asset management program team.
Collaborate with operations and maintenance departments and other teams supporting asset management.
Participate in preparing the Department’s budget and capital improvement programs, and develop capital improvement plans with cost-control and cost-reduction considerations.
Oversee bid specifications, documentation, permits, Requests for Bids, and calculation of liquidated damages for construction and capital improvements.
Administer and manage construction for capital improvement projects; conduct field meetings and inspections as needed.
Coordinate with regulatory agencies on project approvals and construction compliance; provide recommendations for water and wastewater treatment facility permits.
Represent the Department in Staff Development Review meetings and review developers’ plans as needed.
Supervise, assign, and schedule work for direct and indirect reports in the engineering division.
Manage consulting engineers; prepare Requests for Letters of Interest and Requests for Proposals, review and evaluate consultant submissions, and rank consultants for capital improvement projects.
Meet with developers, realtors, and builders to explain utility requirements and standards for future City developments.
Recommend engineering and contract services to the Utilities Engineering Division Manager.
Contribute to departmental presentations and present at Commission meetings, conferences, and regulatory agency meetings as needed.
Coordinate and attend meetings with FDOT concerning programs within City limits; prepare and approve permits in FDOT rights of way.
Prepare monthly status reports and attend monthly coordination meetings with Sarasota County and local utility partners.
Assist with emergency operations preparation and procedures for safe water and wastewater system operation, including OSHA requirements.
Assist in establishing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures.
Update Standard Specifications and Standard Details using AutoCAD as needed.
Assist the Utilities Engineering Division Manager with creating and reviewing City ordinances, resolutions, reports, and presentations.
Direct the Engineering Department in the absence of the Utilities Engineering Division Manager.
Perform other related duties as required.