Water Transmission and Distribution Planning Manager (Mgr. 3)

City of Seattle • Seattle, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking an experienced manager to lead its Water Transmission and Distribution section. The manager directs and leads engineers and technical planners responsible for oversight and management of regional water transmission and Seattle-centric water distribution systems. The team plans asset and capital investments and coordinates on asset operation, maintenance, new development, other city and agency projects, and policy. Programs include water system seismic resiliency, water main rehabilitation, water service renewals, new taps, transmission pipeline rehabilitation, reservoir and steel storage tank improvements, pump station improvements, and transportation project and right-of-way coordination.

The position manages a multidisciplinary team and oversees asset management planning, capital program governance, and capital budgets and spending totaling $90–100 million annually. It guides capital planning and project implementation, forecasts long-term system needs, coordinates with internal teams and external agencies, and advises SPU senior leadership. The manager also leads standards and policy development, provides technical expertise and project management as needed, and supports staff development and an inclusive working environment.

This position allows a hybrid work schedule. City employees may have the option to work remotely two days per week, with individual schedules agreed upon by the employee and supervisor.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental studies, or a field related to drinking water system planning and engineering, or two additional years of related experience.
• Five years of experience in utility system management, planning, and utility engineering, including prior supervisory experience.

Nice To Haves

• Washington State Professional Engineer license and/or Water Distribution Manager license (preferred but not required).
• Demonstrated leadership supervising multidisciplinary technical teams, including experience managing supervisors or leads across diverse functional areas.
• Utility planning, engineering, modeling, and asset management experience in drinking water systems, specifically water transmission and distribution assets.
• Strong program and project management, collaboration, coordination, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Direct, manage, and mentor a team of eight professional staff, including five direct reports.
• Direct asset management planning for transmission and distribution assets, including pipelines, water mains, valves, hydrants, pump stations, and storage; develop and update asset management plans and coordinate with operations and maintenance teams.
• Provide program management oversight for water transmission and distribution capital programs, including budget issues, spending plans, CIP governance, and collaboration with Project Delivery and Engineering and Water Operations Branches.
• Develop and manage program-level capital budgets and spending totaling $90–100 million annually.
• Oversee and guide capital planning and project implementation, supporting project initiation and options analysis and coordinating with project managers, designers, engineers, and construction managers.
• Assess, forecast, and direct long-term transmission and distribution system needs, including distribution system master planning and stewardship of distribution system hydraulic modeling.
• Coordinate on interagency projects, new property development, and other work affecting drinking water transmission and distribution systems.
• Present briefings and recommendations to SPU senior leadership about asset management, customer service levels, and lowest triple bottom line costs.
• Lead development of standards, policies, and procedures for transmission and distribution systems.
• Serve on the Division Leadership Team and contribute to effective division management, culture, and an inclusive, supportive working environment.
• Provide technical expertise and project management for transmission and distribution projects, including emergencies and capital projects, and help resolve system issues.
• Oversee staff serving as technical subject matter experts, including management of their workplans.
• Hire and manage consultants supporting asset and capital planning.
• Promote employee growth, well-being, skill and career development, and succession readiness.

Benefits

• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free Orca Pass
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities
• Vacation, holiday, and sick leave
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager