Principal Engineer

Salary: $10,589.00 - $14,950.00 Monthly
Location : Vancouver, WA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202400042
Department: Engineering - Treatment
Division: Engineering - Treatment
Opening Date: 08/27/2024
Description
GRADE: 18 or 19 Depending on Experience
GRADE 18: Minimum $10,589 month - Maximum $13,843
GRADE 19: Minimum $11,436 month - Maximum $14,950
JOB SUMMARY:
The Principal Engineer is designated as the responsible head of a major division within the Engineering Department, applying specialized knowledge of engineering and managerial principles and practices to achieve overall program goals and objectives. Responsible for the development and maintenance of long-range capital plans and coordinating annual development and maintenance of the six-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and plan, optimizing investments in the assets and facilities used in the conveyance, collection, transmission, treatment, and discharge or reuse of wastewater; provides highly complex technical assistance to the General Manager in support of the Capital Improvement and Asset Management Programs. Plans, organizes, directs, and supervises the work of skilled professional, technical, administrative, and consulting staff; makes decisions and provides direction on engineering problems, standards, and methods; establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other agencies, organizations, and community stakeholders, representing the organization and programs confidently and positively.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES:
This is a supervisory position and not currently part of a series, reporting directly to the General Manager. This position operates independently with minimal supervision, involves a high degree of complexity, and has a high degree of influence and judgment on work assignments and schedules; work is frequently new and varied with decisions made through interpretation and application of relevant laws, regulations, standards, and policies. Serves as the Engineer of Record providing licensed certification for proper technical design of various projects:

• Transmission & Treatment - Regional assets and facilities of the Discovery Clean Water Alliance, including interceptors, pump stations, biofilters, treatment plants, and outfalls, as well as pretreatment requirements.

Principal Engineer drives program performance through the application and demonstration of skills, behaviors, and attitudes that are consistent with the standards of the profession and in alignment with District values; must possess and demonstrate competencies, including but not limited to:

• Considerable knowledge and understanding of the fundamental and emerging principles and practices of engineering in the wastewater industry, with particular emphasis on wastewater treatment and the ability to apply principles within a specific operating context to achieve desired program goals and objectives.
• Review, perform, and solve complex engineering computations and evaluate and prepare estimates, plans, designs, specifications, studies, and reports.
• Lead, motivate, and develop individuals and teams of people to achieve program goals and objectives.
• Clearly and concisely express oneself and effectively convey complex and technical information using various methods to various audiences, both orally and in writing.
• Develop and maintain productive, professional relationships and work effectively with others from diverse backgrounds, with diverse interests, and in diverse situations.

Examples of Duties
TYPICAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
The duties listed below, while not all-inclusive, are characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this position. Individual positions may perform all or some combination of the duties listed below, as well as other related duties. The District reserves the right to add, modify, or remove duties as appropriate to meet business needs.
Leadership & Supervision:

• Supervise and manage a project team of professional, technical, administrative, and consultant staff involved in developing and delivering capital projects to achieve program goals and objectives; respectfully, reasonably, and effectively supervise, train, evaluate, and motivate assigned staff.
• Perform administrative duties, including planning work schedules, determining project assignments, recognizing staff competencies, and assigning tasks appropriately, considering professional development and program goals and objectives.
• Build professional, working relationships with team members to foster transparent communication and establish credibility and trust.
• Establish technical criteria and standards and plan, prioritize, assign, and review staff's work to effectively accomplish assigned projects.
• Assure compliance with District safety practices and procedures.

Capital Improvement Program Administration:

• Responsible for analyzing feasibility assessments, studies, and reports, and other information as necessary to coordinate the development, scoping, budgeting, and prioritization for annual and long-range planning /programming of new capacity and restoration and replacement (R&R) capital projects.
• Manage and coordinate the development of the twenty (20) year Capital Improvements Program/Plan, or other capital plans, and prepare and administer a work plan to deliver the program, providing information regularly for ongoing financial planning and analysis and coordinating activities with those of other divisions, departments, and external agencies and organizations.
• Assesses the feasibility of the projects, conducts cost/benefit analyses, and prepares business case evaluations to prioritize capital improvement projects.
• Analyze and review data to monitor progress, identify patterns and trends, and prepare and present reports and correspondence to inform decision-making.
• Translate program objectives and priorities into resource needs and develop clear budget proposals.
• Forecast and make arrangements that fulfill all requirements as efficiently and economically as possible, identifying and acquiring the resources necessary to achieve program and project goals and objectives under applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare requests for proposals and contracts for consulting services; negotiate and administer consultant contracts and authorize design changes and contract amendments.

Project Management:

• In a supervisory capacity, plans, organizes, schedules, evaluates, and coordinates the management and delivery of wastewater project(s).
• May act as a project manager on large-scale and complex projects or master planning efforts.
• Directs and evaluates the activities of professional, technical, and administrative staff, consultants, and contractors responsible for all project activities, including site investigation, scoping, budgeting, project planning, public outreach and involvement, design, environmental review, permitting, real property acquisition, and bid and award.
• Makes technical engineering decisions and recommendations and reconciles conflicting design requirements.

Asset Management:

• Oversee and manage the development, implementation, and administration of the asset management program through collaboration with and participation from team members, including operations and finance.
• Responsible for designing and gaining endorsement of the program framework, including program goals, strategies, and performance measures, and developing needed asset management policies to manage risk within established levels of service and available program funding.
• Evaluates, reviews, and analyzes data and information, ensuring assessments are accurate, timely, and updated to enable decision-making and planning.
• Oversee the development of maintenance and capital restoration and replacement (R&R) projects to maintain or improve public assets.

Public Outreach & Involvement:

• Develop and manage public involvement aspects concerning major programs, individual projects, or ongoing activities.
• Represent the organization and programs confidently and positively with internal and external audiences, involving other people and groups of people in problem-solving and decision-making, aligning their interests with program goals and objectives.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public.
• Investigate complaints and recommend and implement corrective action as necessary to resolve complaints.
• Acts as a liaison with, and develops and delivers presentations before, public and private groups and organizations, including governmental bodies and regulatory agencies, relating to program and project activities.

Other:

• Performs research and policy level review, making recommendations to management and external stakeholders regarding wastewater systems.
• Provides technical analysis and interpretation of new or proposed legislation or regulations to determine the impact on program operations or permit compliance.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings and stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering design.

Typical Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:

• Standards and specifications, materials, equipment, and methods used in the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of wastewater treatment and transmission systems.
• Advanced principles and practices of program and project management, including planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring, and administration.
• Advanced principles and practices of asset management, including risk analysis, condition and criticality assessment, capital acquisition, asset registers, valuation, depreciation, economic life, and life cycle costing.

Ability to:

• Simultaneously coordinate and manage multiple projects through completion within scheduled deadlines and allocated budgets, coordinate phases of multiple major projects, and prepare progress reports.
• Use logical thought processes to analyze problems, identify alternative and creative solutions within available resources, project consequences of proposed actions, draw conclusions, and implement recommendations in support of program goals and objectives.
• Foster a productive and collaborative working environment necessary to facilitate and coordinate the work of diverse teams.
• Develop and implement standardized processes, tools, and formats for project management, design, and permitting.
• Proficiently use computer systems and software, including Word, Excel, GIS, PowerPoint, MS Project, Bluebeam, Outlook, and other applicable software to compose, organize, edit, record, retrieve, and convey information accurately, clearly, and concisely.
• Analyze, organize, and synthesize large quantities of detailed information and data from multiple sources into clear and concise written technical reports and effectively present the information orally.
• Locate, identify, understand, and interpret information from maps and engineering drawings (plan, profile, details) and specifications.
• Read, interpret, and apply local, state, and federal laws, regulations, codes, and practices and maintain project compliance.
• Exercise tact, discretion, and sound judgment in addressing sensitive or confidential matters.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to effectively perform the work. A typical way to acquire this includes:

• Bachelor's degree (Master's degree preferred) from an accredited college or university with a major emphasis in civil or environmental engineering or a related field.
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience performing and managing the planning, design, permitting, bidding, and construction of wastewater projects.
• Two (2) years of experience managing a capital program, scoping, budgeting, prioritizing, and coordinating the simultaneous delivery of multiple civil projects.
• Demonstrated progressively responsible supervisory and managerial experience.
• More than twelve (12) years of applicable wastewater treatment experience combined with more than four (4) years of relevant program experience and more than four (4) years of supervisory experience are required to qualify for salary grade 19.

Supplemental Information
WORKING CONDITIONS:
The Principal Engineer works primarily in an office setting with work that is often sedentary in nature, requiring a high degree of concentration involving analytical or creative thought over long periods. Other working conditions:

• Conducts regular field visits and work outdoors and in other facilities, which may occasionally be performed under varying weather conditions.
• Requires the ability to climb stairs and enough agility to safely navigate uneven terrain and slippery indoor and outdoor surfaces.
• Incumbents may be exposed to a variety of health and safety conditions, including raw sewage. Wearing and/or using personal protective equipment (PPE) is required to perform or monitor certain tasks.
• Operates an automobile, personal computer, and mobile communication devices.
• Requires strength and mobility for this setting, including prolonged sitting and use of computer devices and the ability to lift to 25 pounds.
• Requires corrected vision sufficient for the use of computer devices.

RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS:
The Principal Engineer is a member of the Leadership Team and has frequent contact with the General Manager, along with staff, committees, contractors, other agencies, public officials, consultants, stakeholders, and members of the public. Contact may include presentations, correspondence and reports, briefings, and training.
SUPERVISION:
Exercised:

• Manages overall performance of, and exercises direct supervision over, assigned professional, technical, and administrative staff.
• Provides coaching, identifies training, and enforces District policies and procedures.
• Develops performance standards, monitors performance, and conducts regular performance evaluations, providing input on decisions regarding hiring, performance, pay adjustments, and, when necessary, corrective action.
• Consult with the General Manager concerning unusual performance problems and developments.

Received:

• The Principal Engineer works under the general guidance and supervision of the General Manager, depending upon assignment.
• Receives work assignments and general supervision, both orally and in writing.
• Works independently, with a high degree of professional judgment and discretion.
• Work assignments and project status are reviewed at regularly scheduled meetings.
• Performance is based upon the successful achievement of program goals and objectives.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer, Civil, in the State of Washington or registration from another state and obtain registration in the State of Washington within six (6) months of the date of hire.
• Possession of a valid state-issued driver's license or obtain one within six (6) months of the date of hire.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
To learn more details, visit our benefits page.