TWDB - 26-41: Water Supply Planning Technical Lead (Engineer III-V/Project Manager III-S - IV-S)

TWDB • Austin, TX

13h

About The Position

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is seeking a motivated and qualified Engineer or Project Manager to join the Water Supply Planning Division. The engineering position will implement the early-stage conveyance and coordination requirements of Senate Bill 7 of the 89th Legislature The ideal candidate will have experience in developing water supply plans at local, regional, and state levels. Designs and supports construction of water projects, models surface and groundwater availability, and projects water demand. Works on civil projects and prepares engineering cost estimates, understands capital improvement plans and public financing. Manages GIS and other data and assess risks in water supply planning. The candidate will be familiar with Texas water resources. Possess strong judgment, decision-making, and communication skills. Able to assess water supply plans and projects. Be experienced in developing, negotiating, and managing technical contracts. Represents TWDB at meetings, provides guidance to staff and stakeholders, and delivers technical training. Performs complex (journey-level) to advanced (senior-level) technical support and providing engineering expertise regarding water supply planning including related to infrastructure capacity and conveyance issues. Work involves supporting the establishment and facilitation of ad hoc technical groups to promote early-stage collaboration among regional water providers and river authorities, identify opportunities to expand excess water supply capacity, and incentivize conveyance initiatives that benefit the entire state. Work also involves implementing legislative directives, supporting development of agency funding programs, and integrating early-stage coordination into the state’s established water supply planning processes. Serves as the Water Supply Planning Division Technical Lead, performing work and advising on engineering-related and technical matters in support of the cyclical regional and state water supply planning programs. May train others. Works under moderate to minimal supervision, with moderate to considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Director of the Water Supply Planning Division.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field.
• Candidates with a Texas Professional Engineer (P.E.) License OR Professional Engineer (P.E.) in another U.S. State:
• Engineer III/ Project Manager III-S: Two years of relevant work experience in Engineering or a related field.
• Engineer IV/Project Manager IV : Three years of relevant work experience in Engineering or a related field.
• Engineer V/Project Manager IV-S : Four years of relevant work experience in Engineering or a related field.
• Licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas.
• TWDB Project Manager Classification Series: Licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in another U.S. state with the willingness and ability to obtain a Texas P.E. license within six months of hire.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant the Water Supply Planning Division.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.
• Knowledge of engineering principles, techniques, and procedures.
• Skills in using Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and Access.
• Skills in use of internet, email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.
• Skills in the use of logic to assess options and make decisions based on a variety of factors and risks.
• Skills in anticipating and engaging with complex problems.
• Skills in reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Skills in comprehending and concisely summarizing technical material.
• Skills with ESRI ArcGIS software and spatial analysis
• Skills in evaluating, analyzing, and managing large amounts of data.
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure within Texas.
• Ability to meet agency in-office requirements.
• Ability to use deductive, inductive, and mathematical reasoning.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to adhere to work schedules, follow procedures with respect to leave and submit accurate timesheets by prescribed deadlines.
• Ability to make mature, objective decisions and identify areas of potential problems.
• Ability to perform effectively and willingly when changes occur in scope and nature of the work and work environment.
• Ability to perform routine and non-routine work assignments accurately and on-time with little or no supervision.
• Ability to perform assigned duties and improve work habits and/or output.
• Ability to complete assigned work, on time, neatly and with infrequent errors.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to provide prompt, courteous and accurate assistance and clear and concise communication to internal and external stakeholders both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work and cooperate with others in a team environment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to stand/sit/move to perform activities such as retrieve/replace files in a large file system for boxes up to 30 lbs.
• Ability and willingness to travel 10% of the time, primarily within the State of Texas.
• Ability to operate a vehicle (state or personal) for state business and maintain a driver’s license and driving record that complies with state and agency requirements.
• Ability to work shifts that may exceed 8 hours, including early mornings, nights, and weekends.
• Ability to train others.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil/environmental engineering, water resources planning, or related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible professional work experience managing projects/programs.
• Experience developing and managing professional services contracts including developing scopes of work, budgets, and negotiating contract amendments.
• Knowledge of water rights, water supplies, water providers, and water resource issues in Texas.
• Experience performing water availability modeling in Texas.
• Experience performing hydrologic and groundwater availability modeling.
• Experience developing water supply and asset management plans for wholesale and retail water supply utilities.
• Experience in the development and construction of water supply projects, including field experience.
• Experience in Texas’ regional water planning process.
• Familiarity with public finance, socioeconomics, and the development of water demand projections.

Responsibilities

• Establishes, convenes, and facilitates ad hoc technical groups to promote early-stage collaboration among regional and major water providers and river authorities.
• Responsible for identifying opportunities to expand excess water supply capacity, incentivizing conveyance initiatives that benefit the state, coordinating internal and external efforts.
• Plans and prepares meeting materials, facilitating technical discussions, and ensuring follow-up on meeting outcomes.
• Implements and integrates the outcomes associated with the conveyance coordination effort into the regional and state water planning processes.
• Assesses certain technical aspects of project funding applications related to various financial assistance programs.
• Serves as an advisor and technical expert regarding engineering and technical matters related to the water supply planning division including the regional and state water planning program areas.
• Participates in and contributes to the development, writing, review, and communication of the State Water Plan.
• Supports updating existing and developing new, innovative approaches, tools, and methodologies for the water planning program and State Water Plan, including strategies to enhance long-term infrastructure planning amid uncertainty.
• Reviews, edits, summarizes, and provides feedback on divisional draft products, agency documents, external reports, and other technical and non-technical written materials.
• Interacts with and supports a variety of stakeholders including regional water planning groups and their technical consultants.
• Identifies technical needs and data gaps and develops relevant engineering recommendations and guidance to support Texas’ water supply planning program and agency leadership.
• Performs a variety of technical reviews and updates and, as necessary, oversees applicable reviews conducted by other reviewers.
• Performs a variety of reviews of contract documents, correspondence, Board items, informational materials, analyses, and data-intensive and technical materials in support of the Division.
• Performs, oversees and/or project-manages special studies and legislative reports and other tasks as assigned including work related to updating the state water planning costing tool and interactive state water plan.
• Supports the review and development of various planning methodologies including related to population and water demand projections and risk and vulnerability assessments.
• Evaluates program needs and performs research regarding technical matters and develops processes and procedures to support meeting those needs for the Division.
• Coordinates across agency offices on water supply initiatives, including scientific efforts and issues related to climate and uncertainty.
• Develops and manages grant, professional, and researches contracts including developing scopes of work and budgets, negotiating contracts, and overseeing the contract performance.
• Supports the agency development of socioeconomic impact analyses produced on behalf of regional water planning groups.
• Organizes, develops, and runs technical workshops/webinars in support of the regional water planning program.
• Supports technical reviews, program requirements, and coordination related to the agency funding programs.
• Serves as project manager, as needed to monitor internal project schedules, budgets, and deliverables of internal initiatives.
• Assists the Director in identifying process improvements and creates tools to support the program.
• Coordinates with various federal and state agencies as appropriate.
• Promotes an environment that encourages collaboration, exchanges of ideas, teamwork, accountability, professional development, and improvement in performance.
• Conducts outreach efforts, including public speaking, presenting to the agency Board or Legislature.
• Stays informed of changes and trends in water supply planning and water resources management, including pertinent laws, regulations, guidelines, policies, and standards and appropriately applies them as needed.
• Maintains confidential and sensitive information.
• Ensures individual and team files (electronic and hard versions) are appropriately maintained and timely disposed of in accordance with the agency’s records retention procedures and schedule.
• Maintains required certifications and licenses and meets the continuing education needs and requirements of the position to include, attending mandatory training courses.
• May be required to operate a state or personal vehicle for business purposes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• May train others.

Benefits

• competitive compensation and benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), flexible spending, and flexible work alternatives so you can have a work/life balance!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees