Utilities Senior Engineer (Program Management)

The City of Bellevue seeks an experienced Senior Engineer to perform program management and senior level engineering work in support of delivering Utility’s Capital Investment Program (CIP). Under the general direction of the CIP Portfolio Manager, the role serves as program/project manager for Utilities 3 largest capital programs for replacing linear assets - watermain replacement, sewer and stormwater pipe defect repair/replacement programs. The position will support program development, planning and management of programs, team leadership, direction and development of recommendations to department management on policy and other high-level issues to meet program objectives and service goals. 

Perform duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional area which may include any combination of the following tasks:

• Support capital improvement program(s) including program planning, development and implementation.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to identify program goals and system needs. 
• Identify and define projects with planning level details, establish prioritization framework to strategically align these projects to meet program objectives.
• Develop program management plans that include plans, processes, and tools to guide program planning and implementation.
• Establish project and program scope, costs, schedules, and resource needs. 
• Develop implementation methodologies including strategies for project bundling or phasing.
• Define program policies, procedures, and coordination required for program execution. 
• Lead citywide cross departmental project teams, foster collaboration among team members, and ensure coordination and consistency among departments for projects and programs within the City.
• Identify technical, schedule or financial risks to the program and collaborate to develop mitigation strategies.
• Develop and implement systems to track and monitor program progress and KPIs. 
• Evaluate programs, processes and systems for efficiency and effectiveness, lesson learned.
• Facilitate decision making and obtain program governance approval. 
• Feed prioritized projects to consider in the CIP budget development. Provide analysis for projects budget, and support CIP budget process, as needed.
• Serve as project manager for capital projects, as needed. Manage project scope, schedule expenditures against project budget and risks; Support preparing engineering plans and project specifications, oversee project scope, schedule and implementation
• Select consultants, develop professional services scope of work and negotiate fee and execute consultants’ agreements, monitor consultant work progress and expenditures, provide technical guidance and review of consultant’s deliverables.
• Ensure the program meets applicable Federal, State, and City design standards and codes.
• Conduct complex engineering analysis; presents study results and data to a variety of audiences including other engineers, managers, departmental directors, etc.
• Prepare both technical and policy level reports for the program.
• Support in negotiation, obtaining and managing all required permits, easements and property acquisitions, grants and loans. Assist property services staff in acquisition of easements, as needed.
• Support public involvement efforts including open house and online media and provide explanation of program objects and needs. Manage public involvement on projects and communicate/coordinate with the public as well as other city staff, external consultants, and outside agencies on project issues, impacts, benefits, requirements and schedules.
• Assist in the development of engineering standards and provide technical support to other divisions and departments, as applicable.
• Participate in the development of policies, codes, and procedures associated with Utility management, design and construction related to the program managed. 
• Conduct quality control reviews/oversight on engineering plans, specifications and cost estimates.
• Conduct site/field visits as needed.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Works under general supervision.
• May supervise or lead the work of engineering staff, interns and consultants.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Thorough knowledge of civil engineering principles, practices and methods as applicable to a municipal setting.
• Extensive knowledge of project planning, design, implementation, time schedule management and budget control for complex projects and large budgets.
• Thorough knowledge of program and project management principles, including scope, schedule, budget management, quality management, risk management, communication and decision making.
• Considerable skill in arriving at cost estimates on complex projects. Infrastructure life cycle cost, ability to interpret performance metrics
• Thorough knowledge of applicable federal, state, and city policies, laws, and regulations affecting program activities.
• Ability to design and write specifications.
• Ability to conduct necessary engineering research and compile comprehensive reports.
• Experience developing and implementing programs, policies and procedures.
• Ability to prioritize projects and activities within the program to meet objectives of the program.
• Ability to preemptively identify risks and obstacles to project completion and develop options to mitigate.
• Ability to inspect work in progress, identify deficiencies, and gain cooperation from staff, contractors, consultants, in correcting work.
• Ability to use software, databases and spreadsheet programs utilized by the City.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to work with the media and the public; ability to communicate to various groups with differences in age, language, culture, education level and technical knowledge.
• Ability to apply sound engineering judgment under stressful situations to develop recommendations and make decisions.
• Extensive understanding of liability issues as they relate to utilities.
• Ability to use a computer, and effectively navigate Microsoft Office Suite, engineering applications, and data management software in performing essential duties.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Customer Focus: We are focused on the needs of the customer, and on developing strong relationships with our customers.
• Instills Trust: Through authenticity, integrity and honesty, we gain the trust and respect of all of those with whom we work.
• Communicates Effectively: We understand the need to develop multimode forms of communication to address the needs of all of the audiences with whom we are engaging.
• Cultivates Innovation: We are focused on generating new and creative ways for our organization to be successful.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in civil engineering or other related fields.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering capital improvement project management are required. Eight to ten years of experience in project management for water, sewer, and storm utilities preferred.
• Program/project management experience with a PMP or similar certification preferred.

• Washington State Professional Civil Engineering license required.  A Professional Civil Engineering License in another jurisdiction will be accepted if an application for a Washington State Professional Civil Engineering license by comity is submitted to the Washington State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (BRPELS) by the date of hire.
• Employee must operate a company vehicle to perform off-site visits to construction sites.

• Equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves moving, communicating, operating objects, tools, or controls and reaching.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 40 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office or moderately loud when in the field.

Salary : $130,041 - $179,444