Utility Operations Engineer

Overview

At the City of Plymouth
, we work to add quality to life. Our mission and guiding values – CIVIC: customer focus, integrity, visionary, inclusion and connection – shape our work as we advance the City Council’s strategic priority to be a city of choice. We are seeking candidates who are eager to adopt and champion our mission and values.

Position purpose: Lead and oversee water production, telecommunications operations and capital oversight. Coordinate with water distribution, wastewater collection, and storm sewer operations and lead capital project oversight in those areas. Oversee, lead and coordinate utility related public improvement projects. Directly supervise utility operators and provide project coordination and work direction to GIS professionals, interns and consultants. Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers in a manner that inspires professionalism, strong communication, team building and alignment with city values.

• Create and maintain a respectful workplace culture and champion connection and inclusion.
• Participate in training designed to strengthen competencies in areas such as communication, visionary leadership, integrity and problem solving.
• Involve employees in the decision-making process and freely share information to enhance performance.
• Provide direction, mentorship, work goals and priorities for direct reports. Monitor progress.
• Complete performance evaluations, provide constant feedback and correction/recognition for staff.

Act as a team leader and project manager with the responsibility of managing all aspects of municipal capital improvement projects and annual maintenance projects. Capital improvement projects will be generally associated with utility systems including the water production system, water distribution system, wastewater collection system and storm sewer collection system.

• Lead in the definition of scope, objectives, internal and external stakeholders, milestones, scheduling, risk management and budget for capital projects.
• Serve as a liaison between the engineering and maintenance divisions to ensure effective coordination and communication related to utilities infrastructure.
• Coordinate and supervise the work of internal staff and consultants assigned to projects.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation and modification of reports, memos, spreadsheets, schedules, budgets, plans, specifications, studies and permits and make recommendations to supervisor. Ensure that documents are prepared in conformance with city guidelines, policies, ordinances and engineering standards.
• Coordinate and communicate the activities of contractors, consulting engineers and other agencies.
• Provide judgement and leadership in the design, development and implementation of projects.
• Ensure projects are of high quality and responsive to stakeholder feedback.
• Support staff monitoring construction sites to evaluate progress and ensure conformance.
• Direct or conduct project meetings.
• Review pay estimates, negotiate change orders, manage final inspections and recommend acceptance.
• Provide timely reports on all ongoing construction activities.

Keep others informed of relevant public works infrastructure projects and issues.

• Serve as liaison to the public regarding public construction and maintenance projects.
• Conduct public meetings, prepare public project communication and meet with stakeholders.
• Provide general or technical information in response to inquiries.
• Represent the city at various meetings.

Oversee private telecommunications activities on city property, including negotiating and administering lease agreements, reviewing proposed installations and equipment modifications for compliance and serving as primary liaison with stakeholders.

Other duties

• Direct the monitoring, reporting and compliance of the water system so that it meets Minnesota Department of Health standards and operating requirements.
• Assist in the preparation and updating of short- and long-range programs, procedures, practices and policies within the utilities division.
• Lead and support the implementation and use of asset management software.
• Assist in the preparation and…