Department Head of Engineering and Planning

Job Title

Exempt (additional compensation to include annual safety shoe allowance); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday – Friday; 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; full benefits This position manages and supervises staff involved in all aspects of water and sewer planning, development review, engineering, and construction management and inspection; develops and administers policies and procedures for the Capital Improvement Projects; prepares and administers the CIP budgets for the Division; manages and plans future short and long range needs for water/sewer facilities and infrastructure; manages CIP projects from design development, through bidding, and construction; and coordinates staff activities ensuring effective collaboration with other government agencies, contractors, developers, engineers, attorneys, County officials, and the general public. Supervision is exercised over all department staff. NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate, with limited exception.

Frederick County Government values the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage.

Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and administer policies and procedures for the execution of the Capital Improvements Program (CIP), Asset Management Plan, and forecast future needs related to system growth, rehabilitation, replacement, and regulatory changes
• Prepare and administer the CIP budget for the Division
• Manage and define future short and long-range needs for water/sewer facilities & infrastructure
• Manage certain CIP projects from design development, through bidding, and construction
• Manage and coordinate staff activities; supervise staff in all aspects of personnel matters
• Ensure effective interaction with other government/County agencies, contractors, developers, engineers, and the general public
• Oversee development plan & APFO review, land acquisition efforts, service inquiry letters, project management efforts, system mapping efforts, administration and inspection of developer-funded projects
• Oversee complex engineering analysis and programs including water and wastewater modeling
• Advise, counsel, and communicate with the County Administration, Division Director, Directors, General Public, and other County staff on matters concerning water and sewer engineering and planning
• Provide support to the Director and other Division departments as needed
• Manage/monitor personnel and conduct associated administrative business
• Prepare and make presentations to varied audiences on behalf of DWSU and attend meetings, conferences and other functions as appropriate
• Perform other related duties as required

Qualifications and Requirements

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum 8 years of work experience in water and/or wastewater treatment, design and construction or engineering which must Include at least 4 years of work experience supervising or managing staff
• Current Maryland Professional Engineer license (or comparably licensed elsewhere with ability to obtain the MD PE license within 6 months of appointment)

Substitutions for the above listed required education and experience are an advanced degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field with 6 years of work experience as described above with at least 4 years of work experience supervising or managing staff

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES: A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Knowledge of contract administration, project and construction management, and County policies
• Knowledge of master planning and design of water and sewer needs
• Knowledge of engineering aspects required to prepare development plans and related planning/construction documents
• Knowledge of personnel management and leadership tenets
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and requirements regarding water and sewer utilities
• Advanced knowledge of water and sewer infrastructure planning
• Skilled in use of applicable computer programs
• Ability to effectively develop, coordinate, and administer CIP budgets
• Ability to read and understand construction plans and specifications
• Ability to communicate effectively, written and verbal
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, developers, contractors, engineers, elected officials, and the general public
• Ability to provide own transportation as needed

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Related management experience at the local government level and/or private-sector management experience with similar professional and technical diversity and organization size
• Related GIS or Asset Management work experience
• Work experience directly involving design and construction of public water and sewer treatment facilities, distribution and collection systems, site developments, and other infrastructure

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors

Additional Information / Examination Process

• Flexibility in routine work schedule to accommodate meetings, occasionally with short notice, at various times, including nights and weekends
• Available 24/7 to respond to significant events and/or emergencies
• Required licenses must be maintained throughout employment

KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include): 1) An evaluation of training and experience 2) One or more interviews 3) A pre-employment fingerprint supported background investigation

Frederick County Government is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources. Inquiries about accommodations can be sent to View email address on click.appcast.io