Job Abstract

• Western Water is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County providing water and sewer services to nearly one million people; and
• We see ourselves as more of a business than a bureaucracy; and
• We view our customers as an essential partner in ensuring long-term water security for our region; and
• Together, the Western Water team is focused on being the definitive leader in water and sewer services, upholding the highest level of stakeholder trust.
• Western Water was awarded the Top Workplace Award for 2023. The Top Workplace Award recognizes organizations that excel in creating a positive working environment for their employees. This award is based on employee feedback regarding various aspects like workplace culture, values, leadership, compensation, benefits, and work-life balance.

• Service Excellence
• Efficiency
• Water Supply Reliability
• Fiscal Responsibility and Value
• Public Trust, Accountability and Transparency
• Environmental Stewardship
• Employee Empowerment
• Innovation

• Managing the execution of critical Capital Improvement Program projects to enhance the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of Western's water/wastewater infrastructure with an annual budget of about $20 to $25 million.
• Ensuring that Western Water complies with all laws and regulations to protect the environment.
• Implementing best practices and innovative technology solutions to optimize department productivity and integration.
• Mentoring and developing the leadership capabilities of assigned staff and high-potential individual contributors.
• Modeling and cultivating a collaborative, customer-centric culture that embodies Western Water's values.

The ideal candidate is an experienced engineer with a proven track record of managing high-performing teams and CIP projects in a complex utility environment. In addition to technical expertise, you bring exceptional emotional intelligence, communication skills, and a talent for building productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders both between departments within Western Water and throughout the many agencies that we work with and support.

• A relationship-builder who is proactive in establishing and leveraging partnerships with key community stakeholders and other partner agencies.
• A skilled manager with a heightened awareness of community and constituent issues and political sensitivities.
• Open, approachable, and action-oriented; exercises good judgment; treats others with respect.
• Collaborative approach to working with others; able to bring people together and leverage common interests to perpetuate the goals of Western Water.
• Outstanding facilitation and leadership skills.
• A self-starter who exhibits high initiative and a strong work ethic; embraces the opportunity to make a difference.

Required Qualifications:

• Equivalent to Bachelor's Degree in Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in engineering activities of a large, complex water/wastewater system
• Three (3) years is in a management capacity.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to diverse audiences.
• Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Passion for supporting people and fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture.
• Knowledge of industry best practices, trends and emerging technologies.
• Experience with local, state and federal regulatory requirements for public agency CIP activities.

Along with the application, please submit a compelling cover letter and comprehensive resume that speaks to your interest in Western Water's mission and how your background aligns with the key qualifications we're seeking in a Principal Engineer.

Western Water is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Candidate review will begin immediately upon receipt of application materials.

As an exempt position, the Principal Engineer is expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings and holidays as required to accommodate Western Water's needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Emergency Service Worker.

The incumbent exercises significant authority and independence in implementing a broad range of professional engineering services and programs in coordination with other District departments.

Incumbents within the Principal Engineer classification may report to the Deputy Director and Director of Engineering and provide direction to professional Civil Engineers including Associate, Engineer I/II and Senior Engineers, Construction Management, Administration, and other staff as assigned.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this classification.

Leadership exercised:

• Assume management responsibility for all Engineering Department services including project and contract management, capital improvement program, development services, regulatory compliance and source control functions.
• Participates in developing and implementing business plan activities based on Western Water's strategic goals and other core needs.
• Leads, plans, organizes, integrates, and evaluates the work of the engineering functions through assigned professional staff by establishing goals and performance measures.
• Participates in developing and monitoring performance of the department and capital budget.
• Represents Western Water effectively with other agencies, organizations and individuals.
• Participates in both short- and long-range planning.
• Ensures engineering policies and procedures are developed, updated, and implemented throughout Western Water.
• Recommends disciplinary action to address performance deficiencies in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations, Western Water policies and procedures, and labor agreements.
• Monitors and establishes performance requirements while providing coaching for enhancement.
• Directs, manages, and participates in the preparation of designs, plans, engineering drawings, technical specification agreements, maps, and records for Western Water system additions or improvements.
• Provides highly responsible assistance and expert advice regarding engineering activities.

Support provided:

• Coordinates, reviews, and evaluates engineering work plans, products, and methods to identify and resolve potential issues.
• Monitors developments in state and federal law, regulations, and court decisions for their impact on Western Water's practices and operations.
• Ensures safe work methods are followed and appropriate safety precautions are utilized.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and procedures. Assess workloads, administrative support systems, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Assists Executive Management in the development, communication, and implementation of Business Plan initiatives in support of Western Water's Mission and Strategic goals.
• Develops and delivers concise and accurate presentations to Board of Directors, committees and community groups as assigned.
• Perform public outreach functions through coordination with the Strategic Communications Department.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Plan and direct the principles, practices, techniques, trends and standards involved in the design, construction, maintenance, and operation of water/wastewater systems.
• Interpret and apply pertinent Federal, state and local laws, regulations and court decisions applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Understand theory, principles, practices, and methods required by a large, complex water utility.
• Principles and practices of budgeting, purchasing and maintenance of engineering records.
• Method for the preparation of designs, specifications, and estimates for engineering programs.
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to engineering.
• Methods and techniques of field survey and construction practices.
• Utilize research methods and analysis techniques to prepare clear, concise and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies and other written materials.
• Analyze and make sound recommendations on complex management and engineering issues.
• Understand, interpret, explain, apply and adhere to Western Water's personnel rules, policies and labor contract provisions governing assigned areas of responsibility with the ability to exercise independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of Western Water staff with specific emphasis towards the Operations and Strategic Communications Departments, other governmental officials, contractors, vendors, and the public.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential situations.
• Perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks.
• Highly motivated professional who is a self-starter, resourceful and able to work independently with minimum supervision and extreme focus on his/her team's mission.
• Proper English usage, punctuation, grammar and spelling.
• Provide transparent, high quality and fiscally responsible services, while meeting the needs of Western Water and its customers.
• The incumbent, while exercising his/her authority, shall abide by and promote the Western Water's values and beliefs and adhere to the ethics policy.
• Utilize exceptional customer service and communication skills both verbally and in writing, with the ability to cultivate professional business partnerships and inspire team collaboration.
• Think creatively and seek alternative solutions in order to produce results that benefit Western Water, its internal and external customers, while clearly articulating options to management and policy makers.
• Use modern office equipment including computer software applications related to the field of work.
• Define and explain key processes and business requirements within the department.
• Make effective and engaging oral presentations clearly, logically and persuasively.
• Utilize successful leadership skills with the ability to inspire, engage and influence with a high level of energy, enthusiasm, and creativity coupled with a positive attitude.
• Highly motivated professional who is a self-starter, resourceful and able to work independently with minimum supervision.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
The characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical: Employees are regularly required to use repetitive motion for keyboard use and writing; frequently grasp, reach overhead, hold and reach; sit for long periods of time; occasionally walk, use staircases, stand, kneel, stoop and bend; occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds or 60 pounds with assistance; constantly use overall vision; and frequently hear and talk, in person and on the phone.

Mental: Employees should possess the ability to speak, read, and write English, in addition to exercising math and computer aptitude as required. Employees work under pressure with frequent interruptions while communicating and interacting with a variety of District personnel, the public, and others encountered in the course of work. The ability to explain, interpret, and apply related rules, regulations, policies and procedures; and work on multiple concurrent assignments, often within tight timeframes using good business judgment is necessary.

Environmental: Employees primarily work in a temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and settings. Incumbents are expected to use principles of effective safety practices including the use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintaining safe personal and common workspaces.