Director of Capital Improvement Projects in Ft Wright, Kentucky at Sanitation District 1 Of Northern Kentucky

Director of Capital Improvement Projects

Department: Engineering

Reports To: Senior Director

FLSA Status: Exempt / grade 28

Prepared Date: 5/13/2026

Summary

The Director of Capital Improvement Projects is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and delivery of SD1’s most complex and high-value wastewater and storm water capital improvement projects and programs. This position oversees senior project managers and multidisciplinary teams responsible for the planning, design, permitting, construction, and implementation of major infrastructure projects associated with combined sewer systems, separate sanitary sewer systems, storm water systems, pump stations, force mains, storage and conveyance facilities, and wastewater treatment plant improvements.

The Director provides executive-level oversight of project scope, budgets, schedules, regulatory compliance, risk management, and operational coordination to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and in alignment with SD1’s long-term strategic and regulatory objectives. This position requires extensive technical knowledge of wastewater collection and treatment systems, storm water infrastructure, wet weather management programs, and utility operations.

The Director works collaboratively with internal departments, engineering consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, local governments, and community stakeholders to support the successful execution of SD1’s Capital Improvement Program and the long-term reliability and resiliency of the regional wastewater and storm water system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Oversees the planning, design, and construction of projects within a large capital improvement program. Projects have varying levels of complexity and generally include sanitary and storm sewer rehabilitation and replacements, private source inflow and infiltration (I/I) removal projects, pump stations / force mains, detention and storage facilities, wastewater treatment plant improvements, and integrated gray, green and watershed control projects.
• Directs departments’ activities to ensure the efficient operation and completion of all assigned responsibilities.
• Develops and recommends annual goals, department budgets and staffing plans.
• Ensure that all project designs and construction practices are in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Initiates and manages process delivery improvements to ensure efficient and effective delivery of capital projects.
• Oversees management of professional services and construction contracts, including costs, quality, schedules, and field activities.
• Prepares professional services Request for Proposals and oversee the review and approval process.
• Oversees development and updating of design standards based on current technologies and practices.
• Review planning level preliminary project alternative designs and budgets.
• Periodically evaluate project benefits verses costs to recommend whether a project should continue to proceed in design and ultimately construction.
• Develop the annual Capital Improvements Program budget by providing all relevant estimated cost and schedule information.
• Based on 10-year capital project plan, overseen development of individual and overall capital project schedules.
• Tracks all design and construction capital expenditures on a continuous basis.
• Assist in the development of information for monthly capital project status reports.
• Coordinates with SD1 personnel and outside consultants in the preparation of engineering technical reports and design documents.
• Coordinate with material suppliers and material testing subcontractors to meet quality assurance requirements of the design.
• Ensure that proper documentation is maintained throughout construction projects, including financial reporting.
• Following completion of construction projects, ensure that the completed asset is appropriately transitioned to the Operations Division.
• Interact with outside agencies, organizations, stakeholders, customers, and other individuals that have a role in SD1’s ongoing and planned activities. This would include attendance at meetings and technical workshops, presentations to various stakeholders, meetings with property owners, and coordination with the local jurisdictions and planning and zoning agencies of Northern Kentucky.
• Provide engineering assistance to all other SD1 Departments, as needed.
• Educate field staff on safety issues and procedures.
• Other duties as may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Supervise a total of 3-5 employees in the Capital Improvement Projects Department. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these employees. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Engineering from an accredited four-year college or university or similar Bachelor’s degree (B.S.)
• Ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of related sanitary sewer experience and/or training with similar types of work; or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Registered PE in the State of Kentucky, or have the ability to obtain licensure within 6 months of employment preferred

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Accounting software; Database software; Project Management software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.