The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a Chief Operating Engineer for the Water, Sewer, & Streets (WSS) Bureau. The WSS Bureau is organized into two (2) major sections: (1) Water (including Water Distribution and Water Maintenance sections), and (2) Sewer & Streets, each has a Chief Operating Engineer to oversee their respective sections.
The Chief Operating Engineer is responsible for managing the operation of the County's Water or Sewer & Streets infrastructure and will use effective communication, proven decision-making skills, and experience analyzing data and technology systems to guide practices and priorities. Each Chief Operating Engineer manages approximately 80 full-time employees comprised of technicians, equipment operators, and field supervisors, who provide continuous staffing on an ongoing, 24/7 basis, year-round. This includes directly interacting with and engaging operations staff in the field and in the office on a variety of routine and emergency situations.
Specific duties include:

• Providing planning, direction, management oversight and evaluation of assigned services and programs;
• Collaborating with staff, contractors, vendors, citizens and representatives of the state and other agencies to represent the County on a wide range of engineering and operational issues;
• Ensuring a safe working environment, practices, and equipment for operational staff;
• Providing professional engineering guidance, technical expertise and operational oversight to assigned services and programs; 
• Responding to public works emergencies, including weather-related or otherwise, and to citizens complaints within assigned areas; and 
• Interpreting, monitoring, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.

The ideal candidate will have technical or operational experience in the major program area(s), excellent oral and written communication skills to interpret complex technical material, write reports, proposals, policies, and procedures and to effectively manage employees. Thorough knowledge of civil engineering principles, County codes, standards and specifications and the ability to apply technology-based solutions are essential. Minimum: 

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related technical field;
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in managing programs, staff, and other resources, including technology applications, in a public works environment. Experience providing technical (engineering) and operational oversight in the areas of sewer, street and snow operations is essential. Also, must have direct supervisory experience of operations and emergency management.

Substitution: Any equivalent combination of education, training and qualifying experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following:
 

• Managing a CDL fleet and/or drivers and managing employees under a collective bargaining agreement;
• Providing technical and operational oversight in public works and/or urban infrastructure systems (water, sanitary, storm, pavement, other);
• Local or state government experience in urban public works (engineering, water system operations and maintenance, storm sewer, sanitary sewer and/or streets maintenance);
• Managing emergency response operations in functional area assigned; and/or
• Using SCADA, utility billing, Asset Management, or Computerized Maintenance Management software or other specialized systems software.

Preferred Certification/Licensure:

• Registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the state of Virginia or state with reciprocity; and/or
• Waterworks or Wastewater Works Operator's License.

Please note: As part of a complete application, please submit/attach a resume and cover letter detailing how your education and professional experience has prepared you for this position and include details of your management experience and strong record of achievement managing public works or urban infrastructure operations and maintenance. Please submit your cover letter as an attachment or use the space provided in the supplemental questionnaire. 
 
A pre-hire background check will be made on all candidates who are selected for employment. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
This position requires assigned duties at locations other than the primary worksite. The selected candidate must possess a valid motor vehicle operator's license or have the ability to use alternative transportation methods and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.
Completion of the Commonwealth of Virginia Statement of Economic Interest form will be required of the successful candidate upon hire and annually thereafter.Work Hours: Core work hours are 6:30am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday. Employees are subject to occasional shift rotation based on departmental need and must be available for call-back for emergency situations (i.e., traffic emergencies, snow removal, etc.).
This is not a remote opportunity.
Starting salary will depend upon the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected. This position is in the Arlington County Government's Extended Management Accountability Program (XMAP2), in which Senior Executives are eligible for a negotiated salary/benefits package and are evaluated and compensated based on a performance agreement linked to the County Management Plan, results achieved, and a multi-rater appraisal. XMAP is a flexible total rewards/compensation system directly linked to performance and the market.
For more information on Arlington's family friendly benefits, click here.
This recruitment is open until the position is filled with a preferred filing date of April 12, 2024. Applications will be screened on a continuous basis.  Applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the recruitment with candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. The application process will close when the position has been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
Please complete each section of the application. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are considered part of the selection process and are required for this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.#LI-Onsite