Engineering Manager-Capital Projects

Position open until filled. Completed applications must be received by 11:59 pm on March 18, 2026, to be considered in the first round in review of applications. After review, suitable applicants may be invited to an interview tentatively scheduled for April 13, 2026. The South Tahoe Public Utility District reserves the right to return to the applicant pool at any point during the recruitment process.

Under the general direction of the Director of Engineering, the Engineering Manager is responsible for managing, planning, and executing the District’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). This position serves as the District’s project delivery lead, ensuring capital projects are delivered efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with the District’s mission. The role manages and directs project delivery teams responsible for planning, design, permitting, and construction of water and wastewater infrastructure projects in alignment with District standards, budgets, and timelines. The Engineering Manager leads efforts to implement efficient project delivery practices, drives performance improvement initiatives, and ensures cross-functional coordination to deliver high-quality public infrastructure.

This position is distinct from the Director of Engineering, who retains responsibility for department-wide leadership, vision, policy direction, and asset management strategy.

Essential Functions:

1. Manages the delivery of the District’s multi-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP), from project initiation through construction closeout. Tracks CIP performance metrics (schedule adherence, budget performance, change order trends, delivery risks) and reports progress to the Director of Engineering.
2. Provides leadership and works effectively with staff and other stakeholders to cultivate a productive, collaborative, customer-service oriented work environment towards achievement of the District’s mission, plans, goals and objectives, work standards, policies and procedures. 
3. Provides professional engineering, construction management, and project management expertise in the planning, directing, organizing, directing, permitting, construction, startup, and close-out of complex, multi-disciplinary public works projects, including drinking water development, production, storage, disinfection, distribution, and treatment, and for wastewater collection, treatment, and recycled water projects. 
4. Leads and supervises assigned engineering staff. Provides mentorship, coaching, and professional development planning for engineering staff. Assigns work, conducts performance evaluations, and participates in hiring and disciplinary processes in coordination with the Director of Engineering.
5. Develops, implements, and continuously improves standardized procedures, templates, and workflows to improve project delivery efficiency, consistency, and accountability. Coordinates closely with Operations, Finance, Asset Management, and Contracts staff to ensure smooth project execution and alignment with District priorities.
6. Under the direction of the Director of Engineering, helps to assign and balance CIP workload among engineering staff, aligning with project complexity and staff experience.
7. Oversees consultant selection and contract management for design, permitting, environmental, and construction support services, includes leading the evaluation, interview, and selection. 
8. Serve as project manager for complex or high-priority capital projects. Directs the development, management, and implementation of complex design work, reports, research, special studies, planning documents, environmental documents, budgets, schedules, plans, specifications, cost estimates, bid documents, construction as-builts, pay requests, contract negotiations, change orders, assessment and approval of contract work. Monitors and controls expenditures. Prepares and revises design and construction standards.
9. Directs and coordinates the project permitting process including evaluation and achievement of compliance with NEPA, CEQA and other local, state, and federal regulations. Negotiates and obtains permits, property acquisition, easements, right of way and other approvals necessary for public works projects.
10. Ensures all CIP projects comply with applicable engineering standards, safety practices, and local, state, and federal laws, including environmental and public contract codes.
11. Collaborate with the Asset Management Program Administrator and GIS Analyst to ensure CIP projects are aligned with strategic planning tools and level of service goals.
12. Provides support to the Director of Engineering for infrastructure master planning efforts, including assisting with development of scopes, coordination with consultants and internal staff, technical oversight of modeling and data, and integration of master plan outcomes into the District’s CIP.
13. Coordinates closely with Operations staff during project development, design review, construction support, and commissioning to promote collaborative and effective project completion hand-off.
14. Leads constructability reviews, standard drawing development, and integration of design standards with an appropriate level of Engineering Inspector and Operations feedback.
15. Assists in preparing the annual and long-term capital budgets and tracking progress on capital execution targets.
16. Facilitates communication with contractors, design consultants, permitting agencies, and the public as needed.

Education & Experience Requirements:

Bachelor’s of Science degree in Civil Engineering, or another closely related field, from an ABET accredited school is required.

Master’s Degree in engineering, public administration, or construction management is desirable.

Experience: 

Requires eight (8)years progressively responsible civil/environmental experience with an emphasis in water, wastewater, and water reclamation systems, engineering project and construction management.

Three (3) years of supervisory or lead experience is required.

Licenses/Certifications:

Possession of a valid Professional Engineer (PE) license in Civil Engineering issued by the State of California is required. Registration in another state will be accepted, with California registration required within twelve (12) months of hire date.

Must possess and maintain a valid California driver’s license, with a driving record which enables insurability.

Must have current, valid CPR and First Aid certificates, or ability to obtain within two (2) years of hire date.

Proficiency Requirements:

1. Principles and practices of civil and environmental engineering as applied to water and wastewater public infrastructure systems.
2. Public sector capital project delivery methods, contract administration, and regulatory compliance.
3. California Public Contract Code, NEPA, CEQA, permitting and funding programs. Knowledge of Lake Tahoe regulatory environment is helpful.
4. Project and construction management tools and techniques including scheduling, budgeting, and risk assessment.
5. Leadership and supervisory practices, performance management, and employee development.
6. District standards, construction practices, and system infrastructure.

RESPONSIBILITY (Degree of) :

Very high degree of responsibility, including independent actions and decision making, in planning, designing, and inspecting water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Ability to: 

1. Lead, supervise, and motivate a team of professional engineers and technical staff.
2. Prioritize and manage multiple project deadlines efficiently.
3. Collaborate effectively across departments and with external stakeholders.
4. Communicate clearly in both oral and written form, including technical reports and presentations.
5. Resolve conflicts and mediate differences constructively.
6. Exercise sound judgement in planning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
7. Assume responsibility for specified Emergency Operations Center Functions as defined in the District’s Emergency Response and Recovery Plan.

Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to sit at desk for long periods of time.
2. Ability to stand and/or walk for long periods of time.
3. Occasionally required to climb ladders or stairs.
4. Ability to be trained in Confined Space Entry.