It’s a great time to join the City of Boulder!

Application Deadline:

April 4, 2025

Compensation Details:

Full Pay Range

85,155.20 - 126,505.60

Generally, the hiring range is from the minimum up to 80% of the range.This is a full-time salaried position.

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Benefit Eligibility Group:

Non Union (30 Hours)

Locate the Benefit Eligibility Group value on the Employee Benefit Eligibility document to identify the benefits offered for this job.

Job Description Summary:

OVERVIEW OF ROLE (Source Water)
Under general direction from the Utilities Engineering Source Water Supervisor, the Senior Civil Engineer provides project engineering, project management, and civil engineering services in support of Source Water projects and programs. This position provides technical engineering services and independently leads the implementation of routine capital projects and ongoing programs. Furthermore, this position assist with the implementation of larger and more complex projects as subordinates to a team led by more senior Engineering Project Managers. The position requires a high degree of collaboration, community involvement, coordination with other departments and agencies, and ability to manage and consider complex and at times, competing interests.

Job Description:

SOURCE WATER

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Lead management of studies, master planning, and capital improvement projects and programs:  
  • Independently lead work with consultants and contractors to achieve project goals. 
  • Work as a team member with City staff on relatively more complex projects. 
  • Develop project scopes, justifications, and implementation strategies and schedules.  
  • Evaluate economic, environmental, engineering, construction, and community issues and impacts. 
  • Retain consultant services using City procurement procedures and manage the preparation of planning documents, studies, mapping, engineering drawings, specifications, and bid documents.  
  • Using City procedures and best practices of the industry lead engineering projects through planning, design, construction, restoration, and warranty phases. Lead construction services and manage contract submittals, invoices, change orders, engineering inspections, etc.  
  • Lead the public process for projects including developing and executing appropriate outreach strategies, directing open houses, and meeting with affected residents and businesses. 
  • Identify regulatory triggers for projects and ensures compliance with relevant permitting and review requirements. Coordinate regulatory permit applications and obtains necessary permits prior to construction. 
  • Support and facilitate development of the short-term (6yr) and long-term (20yr) CIP planning process. Develop and manage operational and asset management data to identify and prioritize system needs.  
  • Evaluate existing operation and maintenance issues and develop solutions. 
  • Collaborate with other city divisions and departments as well as outside agencies such as the Colorado Division of Water Resources, Boulder County, United State Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, Mile High Flood District and CDOT among others. 
  • Engineering research to confirm infrastructure and land ownership, water rights, conveyance agreements, and legal matters related to the source water infrastructure system.
  • Typical projects include but are not limited to:
    • Data collection, monitoring and condition assessment of existing source water assets.
    • Assess, repair, rehabilitate, and improve reservoirs/dams.
    • Assess, repair, rehabilitate, and replace high pressure transmission pipelines and appurtenances including flow control and energy dissipation facilities.
    • Assess, repair and improve hydro-electric power stations.

• Participate in management of and coordination of construction activities. 
  • Oversee the procurement process for construction services and manage subsequent contract submittals, invoices, change orders, inspections, etc.  
  • Oversee and manage the progress of active capital construction sites.
    • Requires working at high elevation and in adverse weather conditions for extended durations.
  • Perform field inspections and direct City and contracted inspection teams.  
  • Oversee materials testing and review testing results.  
  • Maintain awareness of potential obstacles and conflicts and utilize strong negotiation skills during construction conflict resolution meetings.  
  • Identify public and business impacts of construction activities and maintain positive relations with affected parties. 
  • Maintain construction records and assist with bringing assets on-line, including testing and establishing operational and preventative maintenance procedures. 
  • Ensure conformance with regulatory requirements including the issuance of required permits and approvals from city, state and federal agencies. 
  • Perform field inspections and direct City and contracted inspection teams.  
  • Perform project close out activities including oversight of post construction maintenance and monitoring to ensure successful project completion. 

• Assess infrastructure condition, current conditions and projected future needs and implement appropriate replacement and rehabilitation programs: 
  • Coordinate and lead condition assessment programs for utilities assets in collaboration with maintenance staff, review resulting data, and develop prioritized improvement needs and budget implications. 
  • Lead the collection and analysis of data by City staff, contractors, and consultants. 
  • Identify implementation strategies and implement associated construction projects and programs. 
  • Overseeing and independently leading design and construction of infrastructure improvements of small to medium size/complexity with total project costs typically <$1M. 

• Facilitate public process, build stakeholder relationships, and advance projects through City boards and council: 
  • Develop and implement transparent, collaborative, and defensible decision making for projects that will undergo review by the public, stakeholders, city council advisory boards, and city council. 
  • Engage with the public and stakeholders in a respectful manner and provide an environment with opportunities for input and an open and friendly dialogue. 
  • Comfortably communicate with management staff and elected officials.  
  • Recognize diverse communication styles and have self-awareness of how one’s own style influences relationships with others. 
  • Initiate and participate in difficult situations requiring tactful mediation and negotiation skills. 
  • Represent the City as part of the city engineering team at public meetings, administrative hearings, City Council meetings, and when working with regulatory and other governmental agencies.  
  • Ability to effectively communicate with upper management and elected officials.  
  • Evaluating target audiences and modifying communication style and discussion content to most effectively influence the audience’s understanding of project and program needs. 

• Other tasks: 
  • Assists the City's operations staff in troubleshooting and optimizing the performance of utilities assets and assist maintenance personnel in developing maintenance programs and engineering solutions for maintenance problems.  Establish best maintenance techniques, procedures and schedules as needed. 
  • Provide technical assistance to the City's development review process. 
  • Assists in responding to claims against the City resulting from utilities projects. 
  • Maintain knowledge of current best practices and innovative technologies for inclusion in City projects. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Ability to build relationships and is confident and professional in working with others. Puts people at ease, builds bridges and facilitates productive teams. Recognizes the importance of collaboration and can build lasting relationships and connections with other city employees and community members. Works to grow and continually foster a high-trust, high-teamwork environment.
• Ability to demonstrate behavior excellence with focus on teamwork and customer service, process excellence using City and industry best practices, leadership excellence supporting a culture of being a mentor and mentee.
• Ability to demonstrate effective organizational and time management skills.  
• Ability to demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills including the ability to prepare clear and concise written correspondence.  
• Ability to demonstrate experience as a worker who is substantially independent and successful leading engineering projects or studies and other specialized consultant work.  
• Ability to demonstrate experience effectively overseeing or supervising engineering support staff such as draftspersons, engineering technicians and junior engineers.  
• Ability to demonstrate strong desire and motivation for community service, enhancing public health, and protecting the economic vitality of the City.
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated ability to interface with consultants, contractors and the public.  
• Ability to demonstrate technical proficiency.  Highly skilled and desire for ongoing professional growth at performing engineering analyses, planning, design, and construction for a wide variety and size of utility projects.  Can proactively, independently, and effectively plan and execute work in a timely fashion, meet deadlines associated with capital projects, and closely manage project budgets. Bias for action and strong ability to be independent. 
• Ability to distill detailed technical information and provide written and verbal presentations and can adapt style and level of detail to fit the needs of a variety of audiences. 
• Ability to effectively multi-task and manage multiple projects and priorities at the same time.  
• Ability to meet deadlines with minimal supervision.  
• Ability to partner effectively with team and internal and external partners to facilitate communication and collaboration required for advancement of projects and programs. Understands the interests and concerns of others and is willing to share and receive information.
• Ability to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and priorities, can identify and suggest creative solutions to unique problems while also demonstrating courage and objectivity in evaluating project recommendations in relation to city policy/goals and broader department business needs.
• Valid Driver’s License and ability to maintain an acceptable motor vehicle record.  
• Have and maintain acceptable background information, including criminal conviction history. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to demonstrate mathematical, analytical and problem-solving skills including the ability to develop cost estimates; read, interpret and develop engineering plans and specifications; troubleshoot utilities related operational issues; financial analysis and budget and payment accounting.  
• Ability to demonstrate thorough knowledge of and experience with current engineering principles, practices, procedures, specifically with dams, hydroelectric facilities, and large-diameter pipelines; materials, and equipment as they apply to municipal utilities systems and projects including design, construction, administration, inspection, automated drafting, geographic information systems, database manipulation, and land surveying.   
• Ability to develop working knowledge of City codes, design and construction standards and project management procedures.  
• Ability to use computer software including AutoCAD, ArcGIS and MS Outlook, Excel, Access and Word programs. 
• Knowledge and experience actively managing civil construction sites and familiarity with heavy civil construction techniques and equipment.   
• Knowledge and experience managing projects impacting the public and interacting with an engaged and educated public.  
• Knowledge and familiarity with infrastructure inspection and condition assessment methodologies.   
• Knowledge of and experience with Federal, State and local laws and regulations dealing with dam safety, water resources, storage, conveyance, quality, treatment and power generation including Colorado water law, Colorado State Dam Safety Rules and Regulations, federal and county special use permitting, power generation licensing and sales, environmental impact assessment, and wetland and right-of-way permitting.
• Skill and demonstrated ability to present information and recommendations and resolve complex issues with external agencies and decision-making authorities including the State Division of Water Resources, the United States Forest Service, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Xcel Energy, Boulder County and the city’s Water Resources Advisory Board, Planning Board and City Council.
• Advanced degree or Master of Science in Civil Engineering or related field.  
• One (1) or more industry recognized certifications in: project management, LEED, utility operations, Dam Safety, etc.  
• Seven (7) or more years of demonstrated experience independently leading engineering design and construction projects within a municipal water utility or with a consulting engineering firm working for water utility clients.  

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited engineering university.
• Five (5) years’ experience in engineering design and construction.  
• Current registration as a Colorado Professional Engineer or ability to transfer a current registration within one (1) year to the State of Colorado.  

SUPERVISION

Supervision Received:  Civil Engineering Manager

Supervision Exercised:  None

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS    

• Physical and Mental Effort: Primarily sedentary physical work requiring the ability to lift a maximum of 25 pounds; occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing; frequent hand/eye coordination to operate personal computer and office equipment; vision for reading, recording, and interpreting information; speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with others.  Routine visits to construction work sites requiring walking over rough surfaces and climbing. 
• Work Environment:  Work will be performed in a hybrid combination of a typical office environment and working from home. Routine visits to construction work sites and city industrial facilities where there is exposure to high elevation, adverse weather, open trenches, confined spaces, moving equipment, traffic, mechanical and electrical equipment pressurized liquids and gasses, chemicals, and open water. Travel and local commuting between city office buildings and other Boulder locations is expected.
• Machines and Equipment Used:  Frequently uses standard office equipment including personal computer, telephones, and copy machines. Periodically may be required to use construction inspection equipment including survey, meters, gages, and other specialized inspection devices.

Additional Job Description:

Last updated September, 2023

Source water last updated: 2/25/25

The City of Boulder is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statute. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please send a request to riskmanagement@bouldercolorado.gov.