Chief of Infrastructure Engineering

Summary

This is a repost of this position, previous applicants need not reapply. This posting may close without notice. The hiring salary range is $102,608.39 – $166,225.61 annually, commensurate with experience. Open until filled with a best consideration date of May 13, 2026.

Telework is available per county policy and the approval of the hiring department.

Charles County Government is seeking a highly motivated and forward-thinking Chief of Infrastructure Engineering (Management) in the Department of Planning & Growth Management. This position will provide senior level management of infrastructure planning and engineering and oversight of development review functions. This is a high-impact leadership role that will mentor a diverse team of engineers, help shape infrastructure policy, and drive operational innovation in the engineering field. The ideal candidate would champion a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement through technical expertise and collaboration.

Essential Job Functions

• Manages the construction plan review, permitting, and dedication processes related to the provision of infrastructure.
• Oversees staff’s comments on planning, design and construction plan reviews and approval of final construction plans. Ensures that construction projects meet approved plans reflecting County ordinances, specifications and standards.
• Ensures contractual and procedural uniformity in the management of projects.
• Acts as main point of contact for government agencies, utilities, engineering, and architectural firms on construction related issues working toward final inspections and bond release.
• Manages, interprets, and applies applicable development ordinances. Serves as final approval within the Division of development ordinances and construction disciplines for bond release.
• Prepares and reviews bid proposals for engineering services contracts and manages such contracts.
• Interprets, administers, and negotiates issues related to comprehensive planning, facilities planning and environmental regulations and policy.
• Analyzes trends in land-use, water resource consumption, overall development patterns and environmental quality for impact on County.
• Prepares and administers divisional budgets.
• Reviews and negotiates estimates, change orders and field orders and recommends appropriate actions.
• Approves progress payments for privatized contracts.
• Ensures that project right of ways and easements have been acquired.
• Settles disputes with property owners, developers, contractors, design engineers, architects, and regulatory authorities.
• Provides recommended updates to construction equipment, construction materials, construction methods, etc.
• Establishes bond amounts, processes bond reductions, and recommends bond releases.
• Supervises and manages staff, assigns, and reviews work, and takes actions to adjust work, staffing and operations to meet requirements. Selects, trains, and evaluates staff, and takes appropriate actions to improve performance when necessary. Initiates actions regarding hiring, transfer, promotion, payroll, leaves, performance, and other personnel actions.
• Serves on committees and work groups as assigned.
• Makes presentations to civic organizations.
• Consistently manage multiple conflicting priorities, reprioritize tasks and establish priorities to meet deadlines.
• Ensures staff work with the constraints of departmental standard operating procedures; update standard operating procedures, as necessary.
• Monitors performance metrics and recommends improvements when necessary to meet performance goals.
• Monitors staff workloads to ensure appropriate workload levels across program areas. Makes adjustments as necessary.
• Works with staff to develop short and long-range goals, performance measures and objectives, and develop and execute in alignment with the Board of County Commissioners goals and objectives.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, or related field. Seven (7) years of progressively responsible managerial experience that includes supervisory experience in engineering, construction, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
Licenses or Certifications:
A valid driver's license.
Professional Engineer’s License
Special Requirements/Qualifications:
Work is subject to interruptions and inflexible deadlines.
Subject to work beyond normal scheduled work hours.
This position is required to receive climate competency training level 2.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the concepts and techniques of engineering as applied to developer projects, construction, and inspection.
• Knowledge of effective methods and techniques of organizing and managing engineering services.
• Knowledge of effective techniques of supervision.
• Knowledge of effective techniques of management.
• Knowledge of planning and zoning ordinance, State permitting regulations, and development services requirements for the County.
• Ability to determine specific tasks and assignments to be performed, independently handling new, unusual problems and deviations encountered in the work.
• Ability to analyze problems and take or recommend appropriate technical actions.
• Ability to represent the County and take or recommend official actions as County representative regarding planning and construction of infrastructure related projects.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others encountered in the work.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary with frequent periods of light physical activity and is performed in office surroundings. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; lift and carry up to 20 pounds; climb stairs, bend, reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally and to use normal or aided vision and hearing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.

Department/Division: Planning and Growth Management/Infrastructure Planning and Management

Pay Grade: 120

FLSA Status: Exempt

Telework Eligible: Yes

Reports to: Deputy Director, Planning and Growth Management

Supervises: Engineering Supervisor (s) and Assistant to the Chief

Pay: $102,608.39 - $166,225.61 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Work Location: Hybrid remote in La Plata, MD 20646

Salary : $102,608 - $166,226