Position DescriptionWe are seeking a highly motivated and experienced leader to manage our Planning & Engineering Division. This critical role oversees the short- and long-term planning for the Tacoma Water system and engineering design and construction of the infrastructure required to support it. In this role, you will proactively oversee and plan for adjustments to federal and state drinking water regulations. You will also lead Tacoma Water's representation on key local, state, and federal regulatory programs.
As the Planning & Engineering Division Manager, you will lead and direct teams across various engineering disciplines, including System and Asset Planning, Water Resource Engineering, Water Quality Engineering, Electrical & Controls Engineering, and Project Delivery and administrative professionals, overseeing a total team of 60 with 7 direct reports.
Responsibilities include:- Planning & Engineering Leadership
- Implement and oversee policies and procedures to meet customer needs, plan, execute projects, and provide engineering support to ensure compliance with state and federal drinking water standards
- Perform water quality long range planning, engineering design, and daily engineering support for operating the 150 million gallons per day (MGD) (direct filtration)/90-MGD (conventional filtration) Green River Filtration Facility, chemical feed systems, and ozonation facilities for surface water treatment, and treatment facilities for 40-MGD (sustained) groundwater treatment
- Perform water resources long-range planning, engineering design, and daily engineering support for system wells, reservoirs, pump stations, valves, and other water system assets to provide treated municipal and industrial (M&I) water to meet retail and wholesale customer and partner utility needs and fire flow requirements
- Oversee the Electrical Power System Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Systems, Communications and Cathodic Protection of the Water System
- System and Asset Planning: Develop and maintain the overall plan for the water system considering demands, development, hydraulics, level of service, risk and all assets comprehensively. Create and implement the asset management strategy and objectives and lead development of the capital portfolio. Coordinate and integrate activities necessary to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergency events.
Strategic Direction- In collaboration with the Water Senior Leadership Team, develop and implement strategic direction, prioritizing, and guiding Tacoma Water programs and initiatives, developing approaches and implementing City Council, Public Utility Board and TPU directives, policies, and initiatives
- Sponsor high-priority projects and initiatives
- Work across divisions to ensure projects are adequately resourced and successfully completed
Federal Programs Sponsorship- Act as senior level management and non-federal sponsor coordination of the Howard A. Hanson Dam (HHD) Additional Water Storage Project and the Howard Hanson Dam Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) Assessment
- Meet regularly with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project managers and senior leaders to ensure project meets TPU objectives, is appropriately resourced by Tacoma Water, and to work in concert with TPU Governmental Affairs on strategies for project support and federal funding
Staff Management- Ensure hiring, core conversations, disciplinary, and supervisory practices are conducted in accordance with City policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, Equity Framework and LEAD principles
- Establish expectations, guidelines, and priorities, and ensure staff receive needed training and support to accomplish priorities
Financial Management- In collaboration with cost center managers, develop, and monitor the section’s biennial budget, and participate with the Water Management Team in Tacoma Water’s budget development process
- Responsible for the development and review of the capital portfolio typically over $45 million and an operating budget of $12 million
Qualifications Minimum Education* Bachelor's degree in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering or directly related field, such as environmental engineering.
Minimum Experience* 7 years of engineering experience and 2 years prior as supervisor or manager
Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements Professional Engineer License
Washington State Driver's License
*Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education
Desired Qualifications Washington Department of Health, Water Distribution Manager Certification
4+ years as a supervisor of planning and engineering work including two years managing supervisors
Knowledge & Skills- Communicate effectively and develop knowledge and skills of represented and non-represented departmental staff to include coaching, mentoring, and discipline as needed
- Lead and maintain a diverse work force and take appropriate proactive steps to promote a culture free of any form of harassment, intimidation, or hostility
- Maintain understanding of the operations, principles, and practices of a large water utility treating and distributing high quality drinking water through transmission and distribution systems to various pressure zones
- Formulate strategy, prioritize work activities, coordinate activities across functional areas to ensure alignment and drive results
- Interpret, apply, and explain complex regulations, laws, codes, and policies
- Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others throughout the organization; ability to lead or participate in a team or matrix environment
- Familiarity with organizational development, asset management, operational technologies (hydraulic modeling, GIS, SCADA, etc.), data and analytics, emergency management including the Incident Command System, project management, and continuous improvement
- Develop and manage capital and operating budgets
Selection Process & Supplemental InformationThis recruitment is being managed by Joanna Hambrick; if you would like to be notified of similar opportunities or stay connected with things going on at Tacoma Public Utilities and the City of Tacoma, connect with me on LinkedIn !
City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
Tacoma's diversity is its greatest asset. Tacoma embraces its multi-cultural and multi-ethnic character. Communities of color and immigrant communities are fundamental to Tacoma's entrepreneurial spirit, workforce, and long-term success. In Tacoma, equity and empowerment are top priorities, meaning that all Tacoma residents must have equitable opportunities to reach their full potential and share in the benefits of community progress. One of our goals is for the City of Tacoma workforce to reflect the community it serves. We actively work to eliminate racial and other disparities and welcome candidates with diverse backgrounds and/or multicultural skill sets and experiences. Our goal is for Tacoma to be an inclusive and equitable place to live, work, and play.
The City of Tacoma is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workplace. Applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, and local laws.
Tacoma Water
Tacoma Water has a proud tradition of operating and maintaining one of the country's oldest municipally owned water systems. We provide high-quality water at very competitive prices. We provide direct service to more than 305,000 people throughout Pierce and King counties.
Our mission is to deliver clean, reliable services essential to quality of life. If you share our values of Safety, Belonging, Customer focus, Integrity, and Respect, we are looking for you!
Apply Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities and accomplishments related to this position.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received for interview consideration.
Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates and appointment is subject to passing a background check.
Communication from the City of Tacoma:
We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from cityoftacoma.org and/or neogov.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.
Should you have any questions about this position please call Human Resources at (253) 591-5400 before 4pm on the closing date.
The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.
Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.
Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age26 or younger.
Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.
Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.
Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.
Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.
Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees' Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.
Other Employment Information
Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.
Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.
Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.
Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 8/5/2024 5:00 PM Pacific
