Manager- Engineering in Lenexa, Kansas at WaterOne

This position, under the administrative direction of the Director of Engineering, provides leadership, direction, and oversight for engineering activities that support the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, replacement, operation, and long-term integrity of WaterOnes water system and facilities. Ensures engineering work aligns with WaterOnes strategic priorities, standards, regulatory requirements, and long-term asset management objectives.

Department assignments and areas of focus could rotate based on organizational needs and employee development.

The pay range for this position is $150,199/yr - $209,670/yr. Compensation for the selected candidate will depend on candidate qualifications and experience as related to the position requirements.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Engineering and Capital Planning

• Leads Master Plan projects supporting reliability of WaterOnes treatment, pumping, transmission, and distribution systems.
• Administers the five-year capital improvement plan for system improvements, condition assessments, equipment, staffing, and major maintenance.
• Manages the asset management plan using condition, capacity, risk, and operational data to prioritize improvements.
• Provides engineering oversight for planning, design, rehabilitation, replacement, relocation, retirement, and expansion of water infrastructure.
• Evaluates hydraulic modeling and system performance for planning, fire flow, and pressure requirements.
• Leads contracted distribution projects, including relocation, rehabilitation, replacement, and expansion associated with municipal and developer projects.
• Provides engineering and project management oversight for distribution projects from planning through construction.
• Establishes engineering standards and administers design and construction contracts for the distribution system.

Contracts, Budget, and Resources

• Develops and administers contracts and technical requirements for engineering, construction, and consulting services.
• Manages consultants and contractors, including project oversight, performance, and issue resolution.
• Develops operating and capital budgets and manages expenditures, staffing, equipment, and resources.

Organizational and Stakeholder Leadership

• Supports strategic planning and translates organizational priorities into work plans.
• Represents WaterOne with municipalities, developers, utilities, consultants, contractors, government entities, and stakeholders.
• Oversees water main extensions and coordinates with developers, municipalities, consultants, and contractors.
• Builds stakeholder relationships, resolves complex inquiries and complaints, and supports project coordination.
• Prepares Board action summaries and recommendations and attends meetings as needed.
• Interprets policies, standards, procedures, and regulatory requirements and recommends improvements.
• Researches industry practices, technologies, standards, and regulations to improve system performance.

System Reliability and Emergency Response

• Provides engineering leadership during emergencies and coordinates resources to restore service and mitigate impacts.
• Coordinates security, emergency response, and continuity of critical functions.

Leadership and People Management

• Assigns work and establishes department and individual goals with the division director.
• Implements work plans, develops KPIs, monitors performance, and adjusts activities to achieve goals.
• Provides training, mentoring, coaching, and feedback; consults with supervisors on corrective actions.
• Completes performance evaluations and supports employee and leadership development.
• Interviews candidates and makes hiring decisions.
• Oversees timesheets, time-off requests, training authorizations, and recordkeeping.
• Leads department planning aligned with division and organizational goals.
• Builds employee relationships and promotes a positive, inclusive work environment.
• Applies organizational policy consistently and recommends process improvements.

• Serves as Acting Director as required.
• Perform other job duties as assigned.

WaterOne employees shall continuously strive to meet or exceed the expectations of both their internal and external customers. Questions and concerns shall be acknowledged on the same day whenever possible, but no later than the next business day. Issues shall be resolved as promptly as possible, with the goal of maximizing customer satisfaction.

In addition to the core and position competencies, these supervisor competencies are expected to be demonstrated by each employee in this position:

• Developing Others Develops people to meet both their career and the organization's goals while creating trust and a positive work environment.
• Ensures Accountability and Manages Peoples Performance Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments, complete tasks, manage performance, and provide timely feedback to meet expectations.
• Strategic Mindset Understands the business by using a strategic and global perspective to make complex decisions, explore innovative solutions, and build networks to make the big picture attainable.

Engineering Supervisors and Project Engineers

• Bachelor of Science degree in Civil or Mechanical or comparable Engineering studies from an accredited university.
• Registration to practice as a Professional Engineer in the state of Kansas required. Licensing from another state will be accepted if comity exists with the state of Kansas; if so, license in Kansas must be acquired within one year of employment.
• Four years of leadership responsibilities that included some experience with employee performance reviews and coaching and managerial administrative tasks such as timekeeping approvals.
• Eight years of engineering and technical experience in water utility distribution or comparable industry, with an emphasis on distribution operations, engineering design, and construction contract preparation.

• Proven leadership skills with experience in project management, budgeting, and staff training and development.
• Ability to work independently, delegate effectively, and manage multiple projects to meet goals and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and handle competing demands.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact with a diverse range of stakeholders (staff, contractors, city officials, public).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to make sound decisions and take decisive actions.
• Skills in reviewing contracts, specifications, drawings, invoices, and pay applications with attention to detail.
• High standards for quality, the ability to exercise good judgment, and concern for worker and workplace safety.
• Ability to set priorities and schedule a broad range of work and projects to meet goals and deadlines.
• Strong management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of safe drinking water act compliance and current issues affecting water utilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) for daily tasks and communication.
• Ability to become proficient in SAP, GIS, AIMS, and project management software applications.
• Demonstrated ability to handle emergency situations.
• Cooperative attitude and exhibit diplomacy and judgment when working with the public, fellow employees, developers, contractors, or other public officials.
• Ability to maintain positive working relationships and motivate employees to succeed.
• Availability for occasional emergency call-outs outside of scheduled hours.
• Possess a valid drivers license and meet WaterOne driving standards.
• Ability to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening and background verification in accordance with WaterOne standards.
• In-depth knowledge of water transmission and distribution main construction, pipeline construction, and contract administration.

• Postgraduate degree in Engineering and/or Business Administration.
• Ten years of progressive leadership responsibilities, that included some experience with employee performance reviews and coaching and managerial administrative tasks such as timekeeping approvals.
• Water Utility construction and/or operations experience.
• Experience with enterprise resource planning software, such as SAP.

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.

An employee in this position may lift or move up to 0 lbs. constantly; 5 lbs. frequently; 10 lbs. occasionally; and 20 lbs. rarely.

This position requires:

1. Work in outdoor weather conditions: Occasionally;
2. Work inside and outside WaterOne facilities and structures. Outside working conditions are dependent on the weather, which involves extreme heat (above 90 degrees) in the summer and cold in the winter (below freezing). Some work may be in non-heated and non-air-conditioned structures: Occasionally;
3. Perform field assignments in poor weather and driving conditions and deal with other hazards of field work: Occasionally;
4. Work at varying heights up to 15 feet above the floor: Rarely; and
5. Toleration of noise levels that are generally minimal but may be excessive for brief periods of time (hearing protection is provided): Rarely.

This following items are additional physical requirements for this position:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary, standing and/or sitting position for up to several hours a day.
• Must be able to position self to stoop, kneel, or crouch.
• Must be able to constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine, telephone, and computer.
• Must be able to position self to help install, inspect, remove, or repair various items.
• Must be able to move from one location to another.
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment and navigate construction sites.
• Must be able to ascend and descend ladders and stand or work on elevated surfaces.
• Must possess specific vision abilities required for this job including close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, ability to distinguish colors, and ability to adjust focus.

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 work environment for this position is a typical office setting. Employees will be expected to work in a professional office environment that includes tasks performed at a desk, using standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, and filing systems. This job duties for this position sometimes takes place in the field and/or plant environment where exposure to various environmental factors such as chemicals, noise from machinery, and fluctuating temperatures is likely and personal protective equipment may be required. The noise level when working in the field and/or plant environment is usually moderate to maximal.