What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Engineer (Design Services) position at San Diego County Water Authority?
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The San Diego County Water Authority is an independent public agency that serves as San Diego County's regional water wholesaler. The mission of the Water Authority is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to its 23 member agencies serving the region's $268 billion economy and 3.3 million residents.
The Water Authority is executing a long-term strategy to diversify the region's supplies, make major investments in the region's water delivery and storage system, and improve water use efficiency. Through dynamic leadership, thoughtful planning, and prudent fiscal policies, the Water Authority is cost effectively managing the region's water portfolio, while continuing to diversify supplies to enhance current and future reliability.
The Water Authority is executing a long-term strategy to diversify the region's supplies, make major investments in the region's water delivery and storage system, and improve water use efficiency. Through dynamic leadership, thoughtful planning, and prudent fiscal policies, the Water Authority is cost effectively managing the region's water portfolio, while continuing to diversify supplies to enhance current and future reliability.
The Engineering Department
The Engineering Department is responsible for the design and construction of regional water facilities in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP); identifying and employing value engineering design concepts to optimize facility and aqueduct system performance; managing major emergency facility repairs; and providing overall CIP programmatic monitoring and controls. It also manages the Water Authority's real-estate interests by acquiring, disposing of, and leasing real property; patrolling and managing 168 miles of right of way; and providing survey services. In addition, the department provides technical support to other agencies, departments, and member agencies. The Water Authority’s Energy Program also resides within the Engineering Department, focused on developing low-cost energy supplies, generation, and storage opportunities; improving the Water Authority’s energy resilience; fostering collaborative energy relationships; and supporting the Water Authority’s legislative energy initiatives.
The Design Services Group
The Engineering Department's Design Services Group is a team of engineers and drafters responsible for in-house design execution of Water Authority CIP projects. The Design Services Group develops biddable plans and specifications for a wide variety of water infrastructure projects and provides engineering support for the Right of Way and Construction Groups as well as the Operations and Maintenance and Water Resources Departments. The Design Services Group also procures and manages consultant designs for Water Authority CIP projects.
The Engineering Department's Design Services Group is a team of engineers and drafters responsible for in-house design execution of Water Authority CIP projects. The Design Services Group develops biddable plans and specifications for a wide variety of water infrastructure projects and provides engineering support for the Right of Way and Construction Groups as well as the Operations and Maintenance and Water Resources Departments. The Design Services Group also procures and manages consultant designs for Water Authority CIP projects.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is an independent self-starter and effective communicator who is organized and thrives in a fast-paced, challenging work environment. The Senior Engineer is responsible for developing and managing contracts and supervising a team of engineers. The successful candidate will have the ability to balance mentoring, supervising, and leading technical teams, while performing project related work. This person is technically sound with experience completing engineering designs as the Engineer of Record and has knowledge of hydraulic principles, design process, quality assurance/quality control, and construction methods. In addition, the ideal candidate possesses strong interpersonal skills, can successfully resolve project issues, and is comfortable working with various stakeholders.
The Senior Engineer position is in the Engineering Department’s Design Services group. This position will serve as Project Manager and Leader for complex projects; conduct technical analysis, research, and design for a variety of capital improvement, major maintenance, and/or other Water Authority projects; the position will plan, organize, supervise, and review the work of assigned professional and technical staff.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The responsibilities of incumbents in this class require them to be technically competent in leadership, project management, project scheduling and controls, project financial management, Water Authority policies and procedures, and engineering. Assist in providing required programmatic support to other Water Authority programs such as Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Right of Way management, Aqueduct Protection Program, and urgent repairs. Assignments are general, broad based and of a continuing nature, requiring the application of advanced leadership, project management and engineering knowledge, and the exercise of judgment and initiative in coordinating their work and that of others both inside and outside the Water Authority. This position is distinguished from the Engineer (PE) in that this position will manage larger more complex projects or manage a portfolio of capital projects and exercise leadership over a professional team who may be supporting the portfolio of projects. This position is distinguished from the Principal Engineer in that the Principal Engineer has a programmatic role for multiple project portfolios and supervisory responsibilities.
Distinguishing Characteristics
The responsibilities of incumbents in this class require them to be technically competent in leadership, project management, project scheduling and controls, project financial management, Water Authority policies and procedures, and engineering. Assist in providing required programmatic support to other Water Authority programs such as Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Right of Way management, Aqueduct Protection Program, and urgent repairs. Assignments are general, broad based and of a continuing nature, requiring the application of advanced leadership, project management and engineering knowledge, and the exercise of judgment and initiative in coordinating their work and that of others both inside and outside the Water Authority. This position is distinguished from the Engineer (PE) in that this position will manage larger more complex projects or manage a portfolio of capital projects and exercise leadership over a professional team who may be supporting the portfolio of projects. This position is distinguished from the Principal Engineer in that the Principal Engineer has a programmatic role for multiple project portfolios and supervisory responsibilities.
Representative Duties
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.
- Manages, plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of a project team of professional and technical staff chartered with responsibility to manage capital projects.
- Coordinates with staff and team members to develop, implement, and monitor project plans to achieve CIP vision, goals, objectives, and key performance indicators; works with project team to identify critical path events and success factors for a successful resolution.
- Monitors performance against the project plan and CIP schedule/budget; manages project standards, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve goals and objectives.
- Assists in the development of Water Authority programs including CIP and engineering department priorities.
- Supervises, leads, and trains assigned staff; provides daily leadership and project management to project team staff to ensure a high-performance work environment which supports achieving the department's and Water Authority's mission and goals.
- Manages the project planning design, preparation and construction of assigned capital improvement projects utilizing in-house staff, consulting firms and construction contractors; prepares cost estimates; establishes the scope, schedule and task level budgets and prepares variance analysis reports for design and construction projects; prepares professional service RFPs; evaluates and selects consultants; negotiates, administers and manages agreements for geotechnical services, design, construction management, inspection and other specialty services; collaborates with project team members and other departmental personnel in a participative manner.
- Reviews drawings and specifications for compliance with Water Authority standards; interprets specifications and Water Authority policies, and initiates or reviews change orders; ensures compliance with project regulatory requirements.
- Prepares periodic project reports; responds to requests for information; seals final design plans and documents.
- Represents the Water Authority with consultants and contractors; prepares correspondence on technical engineering, contract management and community issues.
- Coordinates project engineering design, planning and construction activities with Water Authority departments, member agencies and other entities.
- Proposes revisions to design and construction standards, and to Water Authority processes to improve methods, procedures and practices; makes interpretations of applicable laws, regulations, policies and design standards.
- Participates in the preparation of CIP and Operating Budget recommendations; authorizes the purchase of materials and monitors work activities and expenditures to control costs, quality, and safety.
- Analyzes and responds to requests for information from member agencies, other public entities and the public; represents the Water Authority at meetings.
- Tracks, evaluates, and prepares reports and presentations on project progress and issues to Water Authority management and Board.
- May represent the Water Authority at public hearings; participates in preparing interagency agreements.
For further details regarding the duties and responsibilities, and qualification guidelines for this class specification, please click on the following link: Senior Engineer
Work Schedule:
Employees assigned to work at the Kearny Mesa office work a 9/80 schedule, where the entire facility is closed every other Friday.
The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in civil engineering or related field supplemented by eight years of professional engineering experience, including experience in public water/utility design, construction, and project scheduling and control tools with at least two years of experience at the level of the Water Authority's Engineer (P.E.) class.
Licenses and Other RequirementsA Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in civil engineering or related field supplemented by eight years of professional engineering experience, including experience in public water/utility design, construction, and project scheduling and control tools with at least two years of experience at the level of the Water Authority's Engineer (P.E.) class.
- A valid certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) issued by the State of California.
- A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority.
To be considered for this position, please submit an employment application and supplemental questionnaire by Monday, February 17, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be evaluated in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. The selection process may consist of an appraisal interview, writing exercise, and/or other appropriate screening devices.
To ensure timely and successful navigation, please consider applying early if you are new to the governmentjobs.com application system. For technical assistance with the online application system, please review the Government Jobs online application guide, or contact their toll-free applicant support line at (855) 524-5627. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.
The San Diego County Water Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy status), gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability (whether perceived or actual), ancestry, military or veteran status, citizenship status, medical condition, and/or national origin.
The San Diego County Water Authority welcomes veterans or transitioning military. If you have questions whether your Military Occupational Specialties or rating qualifies you for a job opening, please visit TIPS & RESOURCES FOR VETERANS APPLYING FOR JOBS IN WATER, on the Water Authority’s regional workforce development website, SanDiegoWaterWorks.org.
Should you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.
Salary : $144,803 - $194,744
