Systems Operations Engineer

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a Systems Operations Engineer to join our Water, Sewer, & Streets (WSS) Bureau! This senior level engineer provides day-to-day planning and oversight of the County's potable water distribution system programs and engineering projects such as managing the programs and investigating system abnormalities. This position will have a significant impact on other operational areas, managerial oversight of the Meter Section, and may serve as the acting Operating Engineer/Manager in their absence.

Major Job Duties:

• Leading the planning, implementation, monitoring, and oversight of complex water system programs and engineering projects to support Section goals, operational objectives, regulatory compliance and system reliability;
• Assessing program needs and developing short- and long-range implementation strategies;
• Preparing project schedules, monitoring progress, and developing scopes of work, contract specifications, RFP's grant proposals, and procurement strategies;
• Planning, coordinating, and overseeing specialized engineering programs and functions, including water main repair strategies, utility undergrounding, meter telecommunications upgrades, hydraulic analysis, water quality and low-pressure troubleshooting, cost engineering, and the design and implementation of water system improvements such as booster chlorination stations;
• Providing technical leadership and engineering expertise through reviewing plans and specifications, conducting field inspections, resolving complex engineering issues, developing analytical models, and recommending improvements to system performance, efficiency, reliability, and customer service;
• Researching, evaluating, and integrating emerging technologies and industry developments, including assessing impacts, and recommending implementation strategies;
• Supervising first-line supervisors and trades staff and overseeing all personnel activities for assigned section(s);
• Managing programmatic, contractual, financial, and regulatory activities, including budget administration, contract management, compliance monitoring, reporting, and identifying funding opportunities;
• Coordinating with internal and external partners and stakeholders such as the Washing Aqueduct, Pentagon, National Airport, and local jurisdictions to support infrastructure and operational objectives; and
• Performing other job-related duties as assigned.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstrated applicable engineering experience in areas such as water system operations and maintenance, hydraulic grade line analysis, water metering technologies, and water system construction;
• Demonstrated ability to apply water system/engineering expertise to new or untested situations, anticipate the potential impacts of proposed actions, and evaluate a wide range of technical, political, and managerial factors when recommending strategies and actions to achieve program objectives; and
• Operational experience in utilities, excellent verbal and written communication skills, ability to interpret and convey complex technical material, and leadership presence to represent the organization to customers, media, and regional partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited college or university; and
• Significant and progressively responsible experience with civil engineering design, water system programs, engineering project management experience, or closely related field; and
• Two (2) years of utilities operations and/or infrastructure systems management.

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with experience in one or more of the following:

• Extensive experience working for water utilities organization(s) or in a water utilities environment;
• Managing emergency responses;
• Supervising staff, including employees under a collective bargaining agreement; and
• Using Asset Management software (AMS), Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS) such as Cartegraph, SCADA software, and/or Utility Billing software.

Possession of the following designations preferred:

• Registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the Commonwealth of Virginia or a state with reciprocity;
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.

Special Requirements

• Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
• Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver’s license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicant’s driving record. Alternatively, the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.
• Resume Requirement: A complete application includes a resume. Please attach your resume to the application and verify that the details of your application provide further evidence of your experience and qualifications as displayed on your resume.

Work Environment:

• Must be available to work shifts as necessary.
• Primarily performs activities in an office environment with occasional field work.
• May be subject to hazards which include a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, exposure to high heat, exposure to chemicals and/or biohazardous waste.
• May be subject to one more of the following conditions: Fumes, odors, dusts, mists, loud noises, gases or poor ventilation, oils, and other cutting fluids.
• May be occasionally required to standing, crouching, stooping, bending, lifting, reaching, pushing, pulling, and carrying.
• May be required to wear common protective gear or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, or hard hats.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions. In accordance with § 19.2-392.15, applicants are not required to provide information regarding sealed arrests, charges, or convictions in response to any questions or inquiries during the hiring process.

Additional Information

Work hours: Core work hours are 6:30am to 3:00pm, Monday through Friday. Employees are subject to occasional shift rotation based on departmental need and must be available for call-back for emergency situations (i.e., water emergencies, snow removal, etc.). While this is not a remote opportunity, teleworking one day a week may be allowed with supervisor approval.

The official title of this position is WSS Systems Operations Engineer.

Starting salary is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected.

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.

For more information on Arlington County’s generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.

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