SENIOR PROJECT ENGINEER - KENOSHA WATER UTILITY

Senior Project Engineer

This job opportunity will remain open until filled. The Senior Project Engineer provides professional engineering services in the planning and design of water and wastewater projects and serves as the resident engineer or project manager in the construction of water and wastewater projects. Work is reviewed through conferences and written reports for results obtained. Performs other work as requested or assigned. The KWU Engineering Department is responsible for reviewing, approving, and inspecting all sewer and water infrastructure within our system, including oversight of utility awarded contracts to help rehabilitate and enhance our aging infrastructure. KWU Engineering also manages a variety of other programs such as: the Lead Service Replacement Program (LSRP), responding to Digger's Hotline locating requests, sanitary sewer televising inspections, manhole inspections, sanitary flow monitoring, water main leak detection, hydrant flow testing and maintaining/updating the KWU Geographical Information System (G.I.S.) database. The Kenosha Water Utility offers a full benefits package which includes employer pension contribution (Wisconsin Retirement System), paid vacation/sick/holiday leave, health/dental/vision/life insurance, paid compensatory time and overtime for emergency work outside of regular 8-hour work day, tuition reimbursement and other benefits.

Example of Duties & Responsibilities

• Serves as the project manager and resident Professional Engineer on major water and wastewater projects to ensure compliance with contractual terms, project timeline, budgetary constraints, industry standards, uniform codes, local ordinances and State and Federal regulations.
• Designs water system and sanitary sewer system infrastructure replacement projects.
• Reviews plans submitted by consulting engineers and developers for impact on utility infrastructure and conformance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Supervises and mentors engineering staff: provides instruction, training and guidance; plans, coordinates, assigns and reviews work activities to established standards.
• Reviews project work site activities and inspection reports to ensure compliance with standards and quality requirements; meets with inspectors and contractors to discuss and resolve discrepancies.
• Reviews and processes contractor payment requests and release of performance bond funds within scope of authority.
• Writes technical specifications and engineering reports.
• Researches plans and records; files records, plans and reports.
• Participates in meetings and training events.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

Note: The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work performed by the person in this job classification. The above list is not all-inclusive. The omission of a particular job duty does not mean that the duty is not one of the essential functions of the position. Management reserves the right to assign employees in this job classification to duties not listed above if the duties are fairly within the scope of responsibilities applicable to this position. Further note that employment in this job classification does not create an employment contract between the Kenosha Water Utility (KWU) and the employee, and is subject to change by KWU as the needs of KWU and the specific department change over time.

Requirements

Required Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil or sanitary/environmental engineering.
• Minimum of five (5) years experience in utility engineering design and project, preferably with some experience in planning and assigning work activities for other engineering staff; previous experience with managing or designing wastewater treatment plant projects is desired, but not required.
• Or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Professional Engineer (PE) License in the State of Wisconsin
• Valid driver's license with a good driving record.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the civil engineering principles and practices as applied to the design, construction, and maintenance of public utility services and water/wastewater infrastructure.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of project management and the evaluation of construction contract compliance.
• Knowledge of methods, material, and equipment used in construction, maintenance and repair projects.
• Knowledge of current construction costs for the preparation of estimates.
• Knowledge of environmental laws regulating water and wastewater utilities.
• Knowledge of the principles of record keeping and records management.
• Knowledge of applicable safety standards and regulations.
• Knowledge of and skill in using specialized engineering software applications including computer aided designing (CAD) and geographic information systems (GIS).
• Skill in the interpretation and application of engineering standards and procedures, applicable rules and regulations and utility or City policies and procedures.
• Skill in the review and evaluation of designs, details, estimates, plans, specifications and other technical engineering data and construction documentation, and in developing solutions based on findings.
• Skill in communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to design public utility infrastructure projects and water/wastewater treatment plant systems.
• Ability to read, interpret and understand technical material and engineering documents.
• Ability to conduct research, and write and present reports in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to supervise the work of technical personnel in design and construction projects.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, other City departments, contractors, developers and the general public.
• Ability to use computer, laptop, tablet and other standard office equipment, technology and software.
• Ability to handle reasonably necessary stress.

Physical Requirements:

• Task involves walking over rough or uneven surfaces, and standing for an extended period of time.
• Tasks may require bending, stooping, crouching or kneeling.
• Tasks involve lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling items of light to moderate weight (up to 50 pounds), with infrequent lifting of items over 50 pounds.
• Tasks require eye-hand coordination in the operation of equipment, instrumentation and tools associated with job duties.
• Tasks may require sitting for an extended period of time.
• Tasks may involve ascending and descending stairs or ladders.
• Tasks may involve entering confined spaces.

Environmental Requirements:

• Tasks are performed in an office or the outdoors, at the water or wastewater treatment plant, or at a construction site, some of which may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as inclement weather, temperature variations, odors, toxic agents, noise, wetness, machinery, traffic hazards, and/or dust.

Sensory Requirements:

• Tasks require color, sound, odor, depth, and visual perception and discrimination.
• Tasks require oral communication ability

Other Requirements:

• May be required to work overtime during construction projects, emergencies or other events.

Method of Selection

Selection of qualified applicants will be based upon a rating of their training, experience and work record. The selection process may include written and/or oral examinations. Appointment and rate of pay will be made in accordance with the KWU Employee Handbook and the City of Kenosha Civil Service Ordinance. The Kenosha Water Utility reserves the right to further evaluate only those applicants who meet the needs of our organization.