Senior Engineer – Utility Systems Planning (Engineering)

Position Overview

The Public Works and Utilities Department is seeking a proactive, strategic-minded Utility Systems Planning Engineer to lead the future of our city's essential water and sewer infrastructure. This role focuses on long‐term planning, project coordination, and managing large-scale capital improvement projects that directly impact public health and community growth. Workdays and Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM. Bargaining Unit: Employees Council.

Key Responsibilities

• Posting may close at any time
• Supervise and manage the work of engineers and technicians within the Utility System Planning group.
• Plan, direct, and schedule Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgets for water and sewer infrastructure, treatment plants, and related improvements.
• Direct, coordinate, and review professional consulting firms' work in preparing feasibility studies, plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Perform and oversee complex design, inspection work, and special studies.
• Assist in preparing specifications, estimates, and contract terms; report on contract performance.
• Write proposals for utility projects and facilitate staff screening, selection meetings, and interviews.
• Collaborate with citizens, developers, consulting engineers, contractors, public service organizations, and appraisers to achieve work objectives.
• Prepare and present studies, plans, cost estimates, and recommendations.
• Deliver presentations to citizen groups, boards, and commissions.
• Operate a vehicle as required to complete work assignments.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Maintain considerable knowledge of utility engineering principles and practices, focusing on water and sewer vertical asset design, construction, and maintenance.
• Understand federal and state regulations and recent developments in utility engineering.
• Conduct technical research and provide advice on complex problems.
• Develop and utilize spreadsheets involving complex mathematical and statistical operations, and employ software such as AutoCAD, GIS, and modeling tools.
• Plan, coordinate, control, monitor, and schedule projects effectively.
• Organize and evaluate engineering data, and present findings and recommendations clearly.
• Foster effective working relationships with colleagues, other departments, and external agency representatives.

Required Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year college with a degree in civil or mechanical engineering.
• Four years of progressive experience in the design and construction of municipal utility projects, including significant supervisory and project management responsibilities.
• Active registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Kansas, or the ability to transfer a PE license to Kansas within 12 months of hire.
• A valid Kansas driver's license.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least two years of experience managing water and sewer utility infrastructure projects, particularly in urban environments with complex regulatory requirements.
• Two years of experience with Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget planning.
• Proficiency in engineering software such as AutoCAD, GIS, and relevant modeling tools, along with advanced spreadsheet skills for data analysis and forecasting.

Benefits & Perks

• Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and a satisfactory criminal record check.