Development Services Manager

Development Services Manager

Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) seeks an enthusiastic professional to lead our Development Services team. This position ensures that external projects affecting OWASA water, sewer, and reclaimed water systems are designed and constructed appropriately, and that water and sewer system capacities are adequate to meet the planned growth envisioned by the towns and UNC.

• Manages a six-person Development Services team including two Engineering Associates, two Engineering Technicians and two Construction Inspectors.
• Ensures that all expansion, extension, and relocation work performed by external entities on OWASA’s water, sewer, and reclaimed water systems is accomplished in accordance with local, state and federal regulations, and OWASA’s Manual of Standards, Specifications, and Design, ordinances, policies, Standard Operating Procedures, and administrative guides.
• Regularly meets with internal staff and external project teams to clarify requirements, facilitate resolution of design challenges, and help prevent and resolve constructability and other issues.
• Maintains strong relationships with appropriate staff at the Towns of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, UNC‑Chapel Hill, Orange County, NCDOT, and the development community to ensure alignment with the Towns’ and UNC’s plans and policies for growth and development.
• Develops and manages financial partnership utility agreements with developers, the towns, UNC, Orange County, and NCDOT for OWASA utility improvements through completion and reimbursement for betterment.
• Tracks and monitors new wastewater flows or water demands to ensure system capacities are sufficient for new development construction.
• Manages all activities to keep OWASA’s Manual of Standards, Specifications, and Design up‑to‑date and in compliance with all local, state and federal guidelines.
• Recommends changes to fee policies, structures, and rates to reflect OWASA’s cost-of-service.
• Provides annual near‑term forecasts of new meter equivalents based on available information from project submittals.

• Six years of experience, including two years in a supervisory role, working with engineering practices used in the planning, design, permitting, and/or construction of public water and wastewater projects. Professional Engineer license strongly preferred.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with members of the public, regulators, developers, consultants, contractors and government staff.
• Ability to solve problems creatively and collaboratively, make timely decisions in a consistently fair manner, and communicate the rationale behind decisions effectively.
• Ability to set clearly defined goals, evaluate progress, and change course as necessary while ensuring all safe work practices are followed.
• Steward of the environment, natural resources and OWASA’s financial resources.
• Service‑oriented attitude, responsiveness, professionalism, and a passion to foster a diverse and inclusive work environment.

• Salary range: $105,899 – $158,848
• Membership in the NC Local Government Employee Retirement System (pension plan)
• 5% Employer 457 plan contribution
• Retirement health savings account
• Employer‑paid Health, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, Long‑term Disability
• 12 paid holidays
• Vacation, sick, personal, bereavement, and parental leave
• Monthly cell phone stipend
• Educational reimbursement
• Bonus pay for additional certifications and/or education
• Ability to transfer unused sick leave from previous NC Local Government or State agency employer

OWASA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diverse experiences. We provide competitive pay and benefits in a safe, rewarding work environment. Visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). to apply for this opportunity. This recruitment will close on June 19, 2026.