Senior Engineer - Public Works

Salary : $98,042.40 - $ Annually
Location : 525 W. Cota St., Shelton, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-07
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 04/16/2026

Description

Reporting to the Director of Public Works, the Senior Engineer in the Engineering Division is responsible for overseeing a variety of complex activities which include management, administration, coordination, direction and guidance for the division. This position also performs key management functions, including, but not limited to, preparing and managing the comprehensive and annual work programs, and developing and preparing the Engineering Division's annual budget in collaboration with the Public Works Director.

The Senior Engineer coordinates assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Public Works Director.

This employee may occasionally act as the Director of Public Works.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provides engineering assistance and advice on all matters pertaining to streets, traffic, drainage, sewer and water utilities. Coordinate pre-design and design phase project elements with all customers to assure compliance with contract drawings and specifications and that the results serve the best interests of the City.

Provide oversight and direction for the development review process within Public Works; coordinates the process in conjunction with the Community Development Department; reviews private development plans, studies, and specifications, including short plats, subdivisions, easements, and legal descriptions.

Coordinates city capital improvement projects assigned to the Capital Projects Manager, including engineering studies, project design, contracting and construction management and inspection; provide estimates and forecasts of costs for long-range improvement projects.

Identify Public Works needs and design/develop the necessary scope of work for street, water, sewer, and storm drainage system designs, the management of consultant teams to prepare project plans and specifications, and the administration of projects thru construction. Assure that the City complies with and enforces City, County, State, and Federal laws, regulations, codes, and policies.

Provide operational leadership to assure standards are met for productivity, efficiency, continuous quality improvement, internal and external customer satisfaction, teamwork, and succession planning.
Select, train, motivate, and evaluate personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies.

Responsible for the supervision of the inspection and keeping records of inspections for all new utility systems and streets, and for acceptance by the city within the City's right-of-way. Responsible for obtaining and recording "as-built" information at the completion of Municipal and private development engineering projects.

Work with the Public Works Director and the Public Works Superintendents in project budgeting, coordination consultant preparation of construction plans, specifications, and bid proposal requests for utility and other projects.

Coordinate with the Public Works Director, Capital Projects Manager, and the Public Works Superintendents in overseeing the performance of Contractors' work during the construction phase of the contracts and approve work in progress and final payment of work performed.

Coordinates the development and implementation of long-range comprehensive planning programs for the City's water, wastewater, storm drainage, and transportation systems.

Assist in the development and budget yearly for six-year water, wastewater, storm drainage, and transportation improvement capital projects to ensure effective expansion and operation of infrastructure.

In the absence of the Public Works Director or under his/her direction, may serve as the City representative with outside agencies and consultants, Boards, and City Council.

Coordinate private development review plan checking and permitting for proposed developments and the issuance of right-of-way permits.

Monitor and track project expenditures and capital project revenues from utilities, grants, gas tax, impact fees, bonds, and inter-local agreements; analyze and review budgetary and financial data and controls. Identify, secure, and administer grant programs for the Public Works Department.
Effective technical writing skills to prepare City Council Resolutions, Ordinances, and PowerPoint presentations. Effective public speaking skills to adequately describe complex projects, bid awards, project studies, division goals, etc., to public bodies, such as presentations to City Council, media, and community groups. Ability to navigate/answer difficult questions in public forums.

Supervision of assigned field personnel, other engineers, technicians, and administrative staff, including, but not limited to, assigning work, regular monitoring, review for accuracy, and timely completion of…