Senior Utilities Engineer

The Department of Utilities is committed to providing the Charlottesville community with safe, reliable, and sustainable utility services that include water, wastewater, stormwater and natural gas.  Working in conjunction with the Utility Billing Office, these services are supported by a dedicated staff who are committed to excellence in service to the community.

To learn more about the department and the services they provide, please visit:  https://www.charlottesville.gov/458/Utilities   

The SeniorUtilities Engineer performs responsible, professional work leading and overseeing the planning, design, and inspection of engineering projects related to municipal water, wastewater, and stormwater utility systems. Work is performed under the limited supervision of and reports to the Deputy Director of Utilities.

The preferred hiring amount for this position is between $102,497.24 - $128,392.84 Annually. 

• One-time hiring bonus: $4,000 

Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This is a full-time, exempt, position which provides excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday, paid vacation and sick leave, health insurance options with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, City's retirement options, gym membership reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and continuing education/training opportunities.

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS, however the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

NOTE: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications will be evaluated on a continuous basis. Interviews will be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. Applications may no longer be considered once a candidate to fill the position is identified. This job announcement will close when the position(s) have been filled and may close at any time.     To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description.  The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Oversees and performs plan review for municipal projects and private development projects related to utilities. Supervises and/or performs surveys, preparation of design criteria, designs, analyses, specifications, plans, investigations/inspections, cost estimates, tabulations of contract bids, contract payments, and related matters.
• Manages Capital Improvement Program projects, including prioritizing projects, estimating project costs, addressing construction issues, reviewing and approving invoices from contractor, providing customer support, and coordinating project execution within department and with other departments.
• Reviews as-built drawings to confirm their accuracy and ensure compliance with state and local regulations.
• Prepares and sends plan and/or plat review comments and recommendations identifying plan deficiencies, citing applicable codes as necessary.
• Provides engineering support to Utilities Operation crews for operation and maintenance of municipal water distribution system, sanitary sewer collection system, and stormwater conveyance system.
• Supervises, coaches, trains, motivates, assigns work, and evaluates the performance of assigned staff; interviews, selects, and administers disciplinary action to subordinate employees in accordance with established personnel policy and procedures. Establishes professional standards for work quality, quantity, performance, and accountability.
• Assists Utilities personnel with more complex problems, providing technical expertise, and handling escalated problems/situations.
• Assists department management in developing, recommending, and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and with updating local design standards and specifications related to City utilities.
• Provides timely and effective communication to appropriate parties and/or other departments, on project issues that may impact services or infrastructure, or may result in potential disruptions of services.
• Effectively addresses concerns or questions from residents, businesses, other departments, and others on related projects.
• Attends meetings with planners, developers, engineers and the general public, representing the Department.
• Prepares and presents a variety of technical reports and/or related data.
• Completes required ongoing and annual trainings in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and SOPs.
• Subject to call in to work in weather or non-weather emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public.  Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time. 
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience:  Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field AND 4 years of professional engineering work experience.

• Associate’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field AND 6 years of professional engineering work experience.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate at time of hire.
• Within 12 months of hire, must obtain and maintain Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia driver’s license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Must obtain and maintain all certifications required by applicable federal, state and local regulations.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:
Job Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of methods and techniques as applied to the design, constructions, and maintenance of public works or utility related projects.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering.
• Thorough knowledge of state and local ordinances and regulations related to engineering, land use, construction development, resiliency and inspections.
• Thorough knowledge of land and engineering survey systems, methods and techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of GIS mapping, GPS, AutoCAD, ESRI ArcGIS, Pond Pack, Microsoft Office and/or other technologies needed to manage projects.
• General knowledge of hydrology and hydraulics and their application for development projects.
• General knowledge of contract administration principles.

Reading

• Advanced: Ability to read, evaluate, and understand complex material and data including technical plans, complex design and engineering plans, specifications, drawings, laws, codes, regulations, contracts, financial reports, etc. Ability to incorporate reading instructions, materials and technical information into project planning and management.

Writing

• Advanced: Ability to organize and develop clear and concise complex written materials such as plan and design of complex projects and documents including idea/inception, research, specifications, drawings, development, contracts, monitoring to conclusion all which require extensive reporting responsibilities. Ability to tailor to specific audiences and explain complex information and ideas, including to the general public.

Math

• Advanced: Ability to apply fundamental concepts and calculate complex construction cost estimates, cost reports, and develop/monitor budget for projects. Completes standard engineering computations and project designs.

Communication Skills

• Advanced: Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, contractors, inspectors, outside agencies, City officials, and the public. Explains complex and technical information to a variety of individuals, makes presentations, resolves complex problems with multiple stakeholders. Communicates current and revised policies and makes recommendations regarding implementation. Interactions may involve communicating controversial positions and presenting sensitive issues. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and understanding. Evaluates effectiveness, develops cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve communications.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Limited Direction: normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.

Technical Skills

• Advanced: High level skills and extensive knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major projects and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and departmental software. Skilled in project management, planning and preparing designs, estimates, and specifications, with ability to perform difficult engineering computations and problem-solving.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Oversees costly, complex, projects and/or programs. Has responsibility for monitoring, forecasting, and reporting on project budgets, contract expenditures, and preparing cost estimates; approving budgetary items within established guidelines.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises and monitors performance for a regular group of employees. Provides input or makes final decisions on hiring, discipline, work objectives/goals, performance evaluation and work assignments.

Other Characteristics

• Organization and time management skills; sometimes under strict time constraints. 
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• Constant interruptions and request for service.
• Tedious and exacting work.
• Works effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
• May require emergency response.
• May work additional hours outside of normal schedule.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must frequently operate computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine and computer printer.
• Must frequently move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Must be able to move and traverse on project sites, uneven terrain, ladders, and on other equipment typically found at construction sites, to monitor projects.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so other can understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is typically performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust..  
• When conducting field visits, may be exposed to adverse weather conditions, outdoor weather, fumes, airborne particles, mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, high or precarious places, inadequate lighting, and near the operation of heavy equipment.
• Expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard hat, safety vest, steel-toe shoes, etc.); and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.
• The noise level is typically moderate but may be loud when conducting site visits.

Salary : $102,497 - $128,393