Director of Engineering

Position open until filled. Completed applications must be received by 11:59 pm on April 27, 2025, to be considered in the first round in review of applications. First screening review is scheduled for April 28, 2025, and after review, suitable applicants may be invited to an exam and interview tentatively scheduled for May 28, 2025. The South Tahoe Public Utility District reserves the right to return to the applicant pool at any point during the recruitment process.

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the General Manager, is responsible for Engineering Department operations including planning, design, and construction of capital projects, as well as sustainable groundwater management, geographical information systems and asset management programs.  Provides other administrative management as required to advance the goals and mission of the District. Serves as the District’s chief engineer and is a key member of the District’s leadership team with significant involvement in overall District strategic planning and management.  

1. Provides leadership in the development and implementation of the capital improvement program and District-wide engineering support services. Directs department staff to provide a customer-service oriented work environment that supports achieving the department’s role in the District’s mission, plans, objectives, and values.
2. Directs, oversees, and participates in the development of the Department's work plan; assigns work activities, projects and programs; monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods and procedures.
3. Directs the management, planning, engineering, design development, permitting, budgeting, and construction implementation of multiple, concurrent, complex, multi-disciplinary water and sewer public works projects, and coordinates activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
4. Serves as the designated individual in responsible charge of engineering services (District Engineer) on record with the State of California, as required by law. Reviews and formally approves all plans and specifications for capital improvement projects prior to bidding.  
5. Provides direction and oversight of the District-wide Asset Management program, the GIS program, water and sewer system modeling, AutoCAD, SCADA, and related technology systems.
6. Responsible for developing the Capital Improvement Program in coordination with all operations departments and the Engineering Department operational budget; justifies and recommends the need for projects and resources; monitors and approves expenditures; recommends mid-cycle and intermittent budget adjustments; administers and manages the Department to meet the approved budget; participates in the development of the District annual budget; communicates the CIP to the Board, District Departments and the public.
7. Responsible for the maintenance and archival of all contracts and supporting documentation related to the District's Capital Improvement Program, Asset Management Program and Groundwater Management Program. Oversees the upkeep of the District's engineering document library; ensures implementation of the District's document retention policy within the Engineering Department; and ensures proper and timely response to public records requests in accordance with the law.  
8. Oversees the coordination of public agency permitting; evaluates and achieves compliance with NEPA, CEQA, and other regulations; obtains permits, rights-of-way, and other approvals necessary for constructing public works projects.
9. Recruits, selects, schedules, trains, supervises, evaluates, disciplines, develops, and promotes teamwork among support personnel.
10. Adheres to and enforces stated safety policies and procedures.

1. Assists the General Manager in his/her duties and may act as the General Manager in his/her absence.

1. Supports District legislative advocacy efforts on the local, state, and federal level.
2. Researches, prepares and/or directs the development of reports, planning documents, environmental documents, plans, specifications, cost estimates, constructability reviews, bid documents, as-builts, pay requests and change orders.
3. Provides engineering review, coordinates construction inspection, and other development support services for engineered residential developments commercial, and public service projects. Meets, educates, coordinates, and communicates as necessary for efficient project development as requested by the Customer Service Department.
4. Manages consultants for planning, design, inspection, and environmental documentation services, construction management and start-up services for collection system, treatment plant, wastewater re-use projects, drinking water production, storage, distribution, and treatment system projects.
5. Understands and manages proper construction testing procedures.
6. Provides direction for sustainable groundwater management planning, the District’s activities as the groundwater management agency, and compliance with the sustainable groundwater management act.
7. Represents the District and coordinates District programs and projects with other agencies.   Represents the District at public, professional and community groups.
8. Builds and maintains positive working relationships with co-workers, other District employees and departments, and the public using principles of high-level customer service.
9.  Provides engineering expertise for emergency response activities.
10. Performs other various related duties as assigned.

1.  A Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering, or another closely related field, from an ABET accredited school is required.
2. A Master’s Degree is highly desirable.

EXPERIENCE

1. Requires a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in the planning, design, permitting, inspection, and construction management of multiple, complex water and wastewater public works construction projects.
2. Five (5) years supervisory experience is required.

RESPONSIBILITY

1. Responsible for the management of District’s Capital ImprovementProgram.
2. Responsible for leadership and direction of the District’s Asset Management and Groundwater Management Programs.
3. Responsible for the efficient completion of work in the Engineering Department.

1. Requires Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California.  Registration in another state will be accepted, with California registration required within 12 months of hire date.
2. Requires knowledge of N.E.P.A. and C.E.Q.A., and environmental process requirements.   Knowledge of Lake Tahoe regulatory environment helpful.
3. Requires ability to prepare technical, economic, and environmental reports on engineering projects, with the official approval of the Assistant General Manager/Engineer.
4. Requires ability to read and interpret engineering plans and specifications.
5. Requires ability to prepare progress payments.
6. Requires ability to analyze construction schedules submitted by contractors.
7. Requires the ability to negotiate change orders, with the official approval of the Assistant General Manager/Engineer.
8. Requires the ability to prepare technical reports on construction sequences and impacts and present written and oral reports to the Board of Directors.
9. Requires ability to present oral and written reports to committees, agencies, public interest groups, and Board of Directors.
10. Requires knowledge of emergency response principles and the ability to assume responsibility for specified Emergency Operations Center Functions as defined in the District’s Emergency Response and Recovery Plan.
11. Requires the ability to read, understand, and follow verbal and written instructions.
12. Requires excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills.  Requires the ability to understand and convey District policy and regulations to the public.
13. Requires working knowledge of personal computers and associated word processing, spreadsheet, and engineering related programs, as well as modern office practices and methods.
14. Requires a valid, current drivers’ license, acceptable by the State of California, with a driving record which enables insurability.
15. Requires the ability to maintain cooperative relationships with co-workers and supervisors.
16. Requires ability to establish and maintain job-specific employee safety program.
17. Must have current, valid CPR and First Aid certificates, or ability to obtain within two (2) years of hire date.

Salary : $183,518 - $234,221