Senior Utility Engineer

Job Summary

The City of Kirkland's Public Works Department is seeking to hire a Senior Utility Engineer!

Who We're Looking For

Kirkland Public Works is seeking to fill a new Senior Utility Engineer position to support the planning, design, and delivery of critical water and wastewater infrastructure. This senior-level role requires a strong technical foundation in municipal utility systems, combined with the ability to independently manage complex capital projects from scoping through construction and closeout as well as lead comprehensive planning efforts.

We are seeking a highly skilled, dynamic, and solutions-oriented engineer who brings sound judgment, political awareness, and the ability to navigate complex, and at times sensitive, public infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in project management, engineering design, and construction administration, along with the ability to coordinate across multiple divisions, consultants, and external agencies. Success in this role requires balancing competing priorities, delivering high-quality outcomes on schedule and within budget, and providing clear communication to internal stakeholders, leadership, and the public.

Kirkland is looking for a collaborative, detail-oriented leader who can serve as a technical resource to others, contribute to continuous improvement of systems and standards, and support the City's commitment to reliable, sustainable, and high-performing infrastructure. The position works in-person at Kirkland City Hall and the Public Works Maintenance Center, with a typical Monday-Friday schedule and occasional evening or weekend work as needed.

About Public Works

The Public Works Department ensures the City's infrastructure remains safe, functional, and sustainable. It oversees vital services including stormwater management, transportation, water and wastewater systems, maintenance of streets and grounds, and capital improvement projects.

As the City's largest department, we are committed to the City's vision and the Department's mission. We play a vital role in making Kirkland livable, sustainable, and connected. We are City employees who take pride in being trusted stewards of the public's resources, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.

We have a One Team approach, strive for excellence and attract, value, and keep diverse, talented employees.

Why Kirkland?

Job Summary
The role of the Senior Utility Engineer is to provide senior-level administration and management of complex municipal utility engineering projects within the Public Works Department. Performs a variety of activities related to the planning, design, and construction of various wastewater and water utility projects for both capital improvements projects and private development, ensuring regulatory compliance and system optimization.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Senior Utility Engineer handles complex and highly visible assignments and has specialized experience with utility infrastructure. This position provides technical expertise for utility system performance, and advises on complex engineering projects and design. The Senior Utility Engineer is different from the Senior Development Engineer and the Senior Surface Water Engineer, as it will function like the Senior Project Engineer in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Division, managing City plans, studies, and projects and advising on operations, policy, and priorities.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Works collaboratively with managers and engineers across Public Works' engineering and operational divisions to ensure continuity between planning, construction, and operations of the utilities. This work will include reviewing CIP project scopes, design, modeling, and cost estimates.
• Prepares and manages complex water and wastewater planning and technical studies, including updates and long-term strategic planning.
• Identifies and prioritizes capital improvement projects for water and sewer utilities and independently plans, develops, and prepares scope of work, cost estimates, and schedule for projects.
• Demonstrates an operational understanding of water and sewer models, analyzes and determines service level capability, needs, deficiencies, problems, and solutions. Uses analysis as basis for making decisions on system extensions, required developer improvements, or identification of future CIP projects.
• Works collaboratively with City utility and financial staff to advise on capital needs and regulatory requirements that need to be considered for utility rate studies.
• Advises the City's Utility Policy & Community Relations Supervisor and the Utility Policy Group on how state and regional requirements, policy, and capital investments may impact the water and wastewater system and/or rate models.
• Presents oral and written information to a variety of audiences including City Council, public stakeholders, adjacent departments, outside agencies, and others.
• Develops Request for Proposals (RFPs) or Request for Qualifications (RFQs); negotiates and administers contracts for consultants and contractors, and service providers. Reviews and directs the work of consulting engineers, designers, and surveyors; ensures conformance with regulatory and system requirements; reviews and approves invoices; and manages and oversees contract scope and costs. Ensures all designs meet federal, state, and local environmental regulations.
• Responds promptly to resident questions and concerns; analyzes situations and recommends corrective action.
• Uses AutoCAD, Bluebeam, other related engineering software to prepare and review detailed design drawings.
• Reviews private development plans and City project plans for conformance to engineering standards; identifies conflicts and opportunities with other projects and capacity limitations; monitors developer extensions to completion.
• Develops and maintains standardized engineering procedures, policies, specifications and documentation for water and sewer utilities to efficiently deliver projects consistent with City and community goals.
• Coordinates project improvements with City Departments, private utilities, other public agencies, private developers, and residents.
• Mentors junior engineers, technicians, and operational staff by providing technical guidance and feedback on performance reviews.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

Peripheral Duties:

• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.
• Assists Finance & Administration Department with the development of documentation to support the issuance of utility revenue bonds to fund capital improvement projects.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of civil and utility engineering principles and practices.
• Knowledge of modern methods for equipment, drafting techniques, software applications, and materials used in civil engineering projects.
• Knowledge of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and asset management principles and practices.
• Understand and be able to apply principles and practices of civil engineering and construction project management as they apply to the planning, design, inspection, and construction of public works projects.
• Skilled in the methods and techniques of budget development, management, and control.
• Ability to interpret and understand applicable laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with the public, public o