Chief Project Engineer - Stormwater Services

Are you a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a thriving community? New Hanover County is seeking a Chief Project Engineer (Stormwater Services) to join our Engineering Department and play an important role in providing safe, sustainable, and effective infrastructure and development services to the citizens of New Hanover County.

The Chief Project Engineer is a senior-level engineering position that provides technical expertise, project management, regulatory oversight, and leadership within the Engineering Department. This position will work in a collaborative environment that values teamwork, innovation, professional development, and excellent customer service.

The Chief Project Engineer (Stormwater Services) focuses primarily on stormwater and drainage infrastructure design and management, supporting the County's Stormwater Services Program. The essential duties for this role includes but is not limited to:

• Preparing and overseeing engineering designs, calculations, construction plans, technical details, specifications, quantity estimates, cost estimates, and bid documents for County drainage and stormwater infrastructure projects.
• Serving as Engineer of Record for assigned County-designed drainage improvement projects and exercising responsible charge over engineering analyses, plans, specifications, and other documents requiring professional engineering certification.
• Developing and maintaining stormwater and drainage infrastructure plans, including asset inventories, condition assessments, and watershed planning.
• Coordinating drainage and stormwater data collection, analysis, and modeling to support infrastructure planning and decision-making.
• Coordinating with maintenance staff and contractors to develop and implement drainage and stormwater maintenance programs.
• Providing technical guidance on drainage and stormwater standards, ordinances, development projects, and infrastructure improvements.
• Providing professional engineering expertise and leadership for County engineering programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Supervising assigned staff by prioritizing and assigning work, conducting performance evaluations, ensuring appropriate training and development, and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
• Managing engineering projects from planning and design through permitting, bidding, construction, and completion, including defining project requirements, preparing bids, negotiating contracts, and developing budgets and schedules.
• Providing engineering services and technical support to County departments, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and the public.
• Responding to inquiries and concerns related to engineering, drainage, stormwater, development, and infrastructure matters.
• Performing field inspections and site visits to evaluate existing conditions, construction activities, drainage functionality, infrastructure condition, and compliance.
• Providing technical guidance and mentorship to engineers, inspectors, and other staff; coordinates and manages consultants and contractors.
• Assisting with departmental and program budgets, grant applications, and other funding opportunities related to County engineering programs and infrastructure.
• Providing engineering support during emergency and disaster situations.

New Hanover County's Engineering Department is committed to supporting intelligent growth and economic development while protecting the community and its natural resources. The department provides engineering services in areas including stormwater management and drainage, development plan review, sedimentation and erosion control, shore protection, and coastal infrastructure.

As a Chief Project Engineer, you will have the opportunity to work on projects and initiatives that directly affect the quality, safety, and long-term sustainability of the community. You will collaborate with County departments, consultants, contractors, developers, regulatory agencies, and the public to develop practical engineering solutions and advance County priorities.

New Hanover County is committed to hiring talented professionals who are passionate about public service and making a difference in the community. Our employees work in an innovative, collaborative, and employee-focused environment where professional expertise and new ideas are valued.

Our shared values of professionalism, innovation, integrity, stewardship, and accountability guide the way we serve our community and work with our customers.

New Hanover County's Engineering Department is a growing team of dedicated professionals who stay committed to the County's goal of intelligent growth and economic development by providing services in the areas of plan review, sedimentation and erosion control, shore protection and coastal infrastructure, storm water management, drainage and infrastructure maintenance. Our approach focuses on compliance,…