City Utilities Engineer

About the Department

Under the general guidance and leadership of the Director of Public Works, the City Utilities Engineer is responsible for assisting the Public Works Director in the administration, supervision and technical operation of the Utilities Division consisting of four (4) Teams: Underground Utilities, Lift Stations, Wastewater Treatment and Laboratory. Work involves planning, fiscal management, organization, and coordination of major activities within the listed Teams. Work is performed under the administrative direction of the Public Works Director and reviewed through presentations, conferences and reports.

This is an emergency essential position that requires performance of emergency duties and actions to prepare, repair, and recover the City before, during, and after any adverse storm events (hurricane, tornado, tropical storm, winter storm, severe thunderstorm, flash flood, etc.) or other conditions (natural or manmade).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.   These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.

• Provides oversight and general direction to Underground Utilities, Wastewater Treatment, Lift Stations and Laboratory Team Superintendents.

• Evaluates the short- and long-range needs of the City regarding the services provided by the Water Systems, Lift Stations, Wastewater and Laboratory Teams, defining new or upgraded facilities necessary to accommodate these needs.
• Review of designs and construction plans prepared by consulting engineers.
• Design and review of utility infrastructure performed internally.
• Evaluates the fiscal needs of the entire Utilities Division and develops rate structures or other financial plans to accomplish the goals of the department and plans to meet those needs.
• Plans, reviews and supervises departmental policies, programs and operations through work activity supervisors. 
•  Prepares work plans and projects for both water and sewer systems.
• Directs the activities involved in the operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment, collection and water distribution system, including laboratory analysis control.  
• Directs the activities involved in the operation and maintenance of the sewage disposal system. 
• Monitor field operations as they relate to utilities infrastructure.
• Troubleshoot utility issues and respond to emergency failures, including line breaks and natural or manmade disasters 
• Coordinates work activities with other City programs and projects. 
•  Evaluates work activities through review of work plans, reports, conferences and inspections.  
• Reviews plans at meetings and by inspection before approval actions within the Public Works Department and Utilities Division.
• Prepares and monitors the Utilities Division budget.
• Directs and monitors the activities relating to all personnel actions within the division.  

• Assists in evaluating the short and long-range needs of the City regarding the services provided by the Water System, Wastewater, Lift Stations, and Laboratory.
• Identifies sources of grant funding or low-interest loans (e.g., State Revolving Fund) for major projects and prepares appropriate applications for these funding sources.
• Make technical evaluations and provide comments on facility plans and/or equipment proposed for the divisions. 
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) regulations, ensuring departmental compliance with evolving environmental standards and guidelines.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to communicate professionally, effectively, cooperatively and in a team-focused manner both orally and in writing.
• Strong ability to lead teams in an effective, efficient manner from a technical and managerial perspective, including setting parameters and processes for success.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from citizens, regulatory agencies or members of the business community.
• Skills in preparing, presenting and training via presentations.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook
• Ability to independently learn third-party software.
• Ability to develop training material on new products, processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of the functions, organization and administration of governmental organizations.
• Ability to accurately prepare statistical and narrative reports.
• Ability to establish guidelines, practices and procedures to ensure contract, agreement, lease or compliance.
• Working knowledge of budget/financial applications.
• Ability to research new methods and procedures for possible application to City operations.
• Ability to simultaneously manage multiple projects/tasks in a professional, efficient, cohesive and successful manner.
• Ability to multitask and maintain a strong level of organization with evolving and changing priorities.
• Ability to work independently and as a team on complex projects/tasks.
• Ability to compose effective and professional correspondence and deal with non-routine and complex work issues with minimal direction or input.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of accuracy and thoroughness with reasonable speed.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional, effective, cooperative and team-focused working relationships with team members, leaders, consultants, other departments, external business partners and the general public.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, standard methods and environmental regulations applicable to the operation and maintenance of potable water treatment and supply, wastewater collection and treatment systems, lift stations, and laboratories.
• Ability to design minor utilities projects and apply engineering judgment in field and office settings
• Familiarity with standard details and technical specifications, including the ability to review and update.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of public and business administration as applied to a large organization.
• Knowledge of organizational and accounting principles, practices and procedures as applied in a large fiscal operation.
• Ability to technically evaluate plans and designs of physical facilities relating to potable water, wastewater systems, lift stations, and laboratory facilities.
• Ability to plan and direct the work of a large staff of professional employees and maintain effective working relationships with staff, other departments and the public.
• Knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions.
• Skilled in effective management methods and practices.

Position Duties

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering or related field. 
• Master’s Degree in Business or Management preferred.
• Seven (7) years experience in the management, oversight, operation and maintenance of water, wastewater, lift stations and/or laboratory systems, of comparable size, with at least four (4) years of which must have been in a responsible supervisory capacity.
• Licensing by the Florida Board of Professional Engineers as a Professional Engineer is strongly preferred.

A comparable amount of training or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Physical Activities:

Walking, reading, writing, hearing, sufficient vision and other powers of observation, computer acuity, talking, standing, manual dexterity, typing, fine manipulation, repetitive motions, clarity of speech, and duties listed below in the following summary. 

Summary:

• Occasionally - Lift/Carry 25+ lbs., Push/Pull 25+ lbs., Climb, Bend/Stoop, Traverse Uneven Terrain, Work at Heights, Travers Stairs
• Frequently – Lift/Carry 10-25 lbs., Push/Pull 10-25 lbs., Stand, Reach Outward, Drive
• Constantly – Lift/Carry less than 10 lbs., Push/Pull less than 10 lbs.,Sit, Walk, Stand,  Handling/Fine Motor Skills, Keyboard/Type, Acceptable Eyesight (with or without correction), Acceptable Hearing (with or without a hearing aid)

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

These are intended only as illustrations of various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.