Water Utility Infrastructure Planning Civil Engineer, Senior
Listed on 2026-02-16
-
Engineering
Environmental Engineer, Civil Engineering, Water Engineer, Water Management
Overview
SPU is recruiting for a Senior Civil Engineer in the Water Planning & Program Management Division of the Water Line of Business and Utility O&M Branch. This position will serve in a planning and oversight role for water transmission system asset management and capital improvement program investment. It supports system planning, condition assessment, asset maintenance, and reinvestment planning for the water transmission system.
The role is within SPU’s Transmission & Distribution Systems Planning Section, focusing on planning and initiating water infrastructure capital improvement projects and serving as program manager of the water transmission system program. The section comprises 9 engineering and planning professionals accountable for water system assessment, capital project planning, options analysis, capital project initiation, and asset management of drinking water transmission and distribution assets.
Responsibilities- Carry out water system planning and analysis to identify, prioritize, budget, and accomplish critical upgrade work in SPU's water transmission system. Develop project alternatives, carry out options analysis, identify preferred alternatives, develop project scopes and budgets and secure project approvals.
- Direct and oversee water transmission system asset management and capital improvement programs as the Water Transmission System Capital Program Manager. Programs include rehabilitation of transmission pipelines & facilities, cathodic protection, transmission storage facilities & pump stations, and metering. Lead the assessment, planning, prioritization, initiation of capital investments, budgeting, and coordination with SPU’s Project Delivery and Engineering Branch.
- Develop familiarity with the Seattle water transmission system and become a subject matter expert on SPU's pipelines and transmission system assets; assist in problem solving on major infrastructure issues and support planning and analysis for major internal SPU transmission system repair projects.
- Collaborate on implementing recommendations from SPU's 2018 Water System Seismic Study, prioritizing and carrying out seismic resiliency projects for the water transmission system.
- Work with internal partners to develop and implement asset management plans for water transmission system assets, including pipelines, appurtenances, concrete reservoirs, meters, and pump stations.
- Develop RFPs, lead consultant selection processes, and negotiate/manage consultant contracts for planning, analysis/assessments, and development of capital project options.
- Coordinate contracts, designs, and construction with other agencies (e.g., Sound Transit and WA State DOT). Serve as Water Line of Business reviewer of final plans, specs, estimates, and agreements. Coordinate work of contractors, public agencies, and utility crews; meet with representatives of other agencies and City departments.
- Participate or lead real property negotiations and enforce real property rights related to transmission system assets; ensure reimbursement for SPU support; participate in or lead cost sharing or reimbursement agreements and billable activities.
- Prepare and present to the Water Operating Board and other wholesale customers as requested.
Experience: Requires five (5) years’ professional civil engineering experience.
Education: Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering or Civil Engineering Technology.
Experience/Education Equivalency: Or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience providing an equivalent background to perform the work.
Work Environment/Physical Demands- Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment.
- Field assignments may involve exposure to weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances, and work near construction sites.
- May be required to lift over 50 pounds and to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods.
- May require working nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays and overnight travel.
- Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington.
- Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.
(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).