WaterOne · 5 hours ago
Director-Engineering
Lenexa, KS
Full-time
Hybrid
Director/Executive
$200K/yr - $265K/yr
12+ years expWaterOne is a utility company focused on providing water supply and treatment services. The Director of Engineering provides strategic vision and leadership for all engineering functions, ensuring the reliability of the water system while managing a team and collaborating with various divisions on organizational goals.
EnergyInformation TechnologyRenewable Energy
Responsibilities
Leads the development and implementation of the 40-Year Master Plan, Capital Improvement Plan, and Asset Management Plan, forecasting future needs related to water system growth, rehabilitation, replacement, and regulatory changes
Oversees project planning, design, and construction, ensuring sound engineering principles and alignment with operational goals for the organization
Collaborates with Divisions to implement projects and deliver technical services that support overall operations, strategic initiatives, and goals
Advises the General Manager, WaterOne Board, and senior staff on engineering matters that impact strategic objectives
Ensures project quality by evaluating proposals, contracts, scopes of work, schedules, budgets, contractor and vendor performance
Oversees complex engineering analysis and programs, including water modeling and SCADA. Leverages enterprise data to assess capacity, identify deficiencies, and develop solutions, using insights to drive improvements and plan future projects
Oversees public engagement efforts on projects, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders to address project impacts, benefits, and requirements
Oversees the development and review of policies, procedures, and engineering standards for project management, design, and construction
Leads disaster recovery efforts in the event of a catastrophic occurrence
Ensures alignment and consistency with organizational and team policies; contributes to the development of organization-wide policies and approves or endorses team-level policies
Provides guidance or addresses inquiries and complaints from customers or stakeholders that cannot be resolved by managers, or those requiring a high degree of urgency or severity
Researches new strategies, brainstorms possible solutions, communicates and ensures implementation of process changes, and ensures consistency across the organization
Supports the exploration, development and implementation of new and innovative technologies, systems, and methods to increase efficiency, cost savings, enhanced security, and improved customer experiences
Plans, coordinates, oversees and evaluates the organization, functions and activities of the Division to ensure effective and efficient operations and quality service to all customers and stakeholders
Develops and maintains internal relationships within WaterOne, as well as stakeholder relationships within the community, and various governmental entities
Oversees the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of both operating and capital budgets. Evaluates historical spending and assesses future resource needs to ensure alignment with Division goals and WaterOne’s overall financial framework. Authorizes Division expenditures in accordance with WaterOne policies
Develops and maintains industry relationships with vendors, other utilities and professional organizations like the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Participates and encourages staff to participate in water industry research and activities providing awareness to WaterOne on leading edge technologies and practices
Attends Board and Committee meetings as well as other public or staff meetings. Delivers presentations to the Board, employees, public, and other stakeholders
Contracts with vendors to ensure compliance with project or service requirements and WaterOne business practices
Available during specific emergency situations as outlined in the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) or when operational decisions require input from the Director
Provides vision, direction and goal setting for the Division in alignment with WaterOne’s mission, vision, values and strategic plan, and in coordination with organization-wide and cross-divisional priorities
Provides guidance to Managers on departmental tactical strategies, metrics, and key performance indicators, while taking ownership of achieving Division goals and aligning with the organization’s mission. Regularly reviews and interprets performance data to ensure strategic adjustments are made as needed
Drives work performance of the Division, and provides appropriate training, mentoring and coaching to Managers to enhance the overall operations of the Division. Provides consultation to Managers for the application of employee corrective actions
Conducts annual performance evaluations, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and employee development plans. Cultivates leadership skills in direct reports at intermediate to advanced levels and mentors high-potential employees to support their leadership growth
Conducts interviews and evaluates talent for hire in accordance with WaterOne interview standards. Makes hiring decisions for the Division
Performs or oversees other leadership and administrative duties such as timesheet approvals, time off requests, training authorizations, and other recordkeeping tasks
Provides strategic vision and leadership in the development and management of the Division’s budget, business plans, financial forecasts, and long-term staffing needs
Fosters strong relationships with employees, inspiring and motivating them to achieve success. Champions a positive, inclusive workplace culture that promotes belonging and engagement
Monitors and reviews work assignments to identify and solve operating difficulties, personnel or customer problems, and to ensure adherence to policies, procedures, regulations, etc. and to provide supervision and technical advice. Responsible for working with Division managers and staff to determine the most economical method for utilization of the workforce, equipment, and materials
Actively engages in senior leadership activities, providing executive direction to advance WaterOne’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Strategic Goals. Plays a key role in the development and coordination of strategic planning and goal-setting efforts
Leads and guides efforts to foster a workplace culture that prioritizes safety
Performs other job duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Mechanical, or related field)
Registration to practice as a Professional Engineer in the state of Kansas is required. Licensing from another state will be accepted if comity exists with the State of Kansas. If so, a license in Kansas must be acquired within one year of employment
Twelve years of increasingly responsible experience in the water utility industry relating to potable water production, distribution operations, and maintenance, with an emphasis on engineering design and construction contracts, leveraging both internal and external teams
Seven years of progressive leadership responsibilities that included experience with employee performance reviews and coaching and managerial administrative tasks like timekeeping approvals
Experience designing, permitting, constructing, and commissioning water utility infrastructure
Experience negotiating and managing contracts for products and services
Experience managing vendors who provide both products and services
High standards for quality and quantity of work produced, including the ability to provide technical support, correct and timely forecasting, progress, and procedural reports
Ability to effectively communicate with the WaterOne Leadership Team and all other levels of employees, as well as the ability to deliver high quality communications to the WaterOne Board. This includes the ability to present ideas in business-specific language appropriate for the target audience
Ability to function effectively as an internal consultant for all parts of the business
Ability to make critical decisions and apply good problem-solving skills
Ability to plan, evaluate, motivate and manage the performance of teams, and to provide appropriate leadership and oversight of their continued professional development
Ability to collaborate with senior management to achieve WaterOne goals and objectives
Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills
Exceptional service orientation
Ability to motivate in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
Ability to effectively communicate with the WaterOne Leadership Team and all other levels of employees, customers, political, governmental and business leaders, contractors, developers, and other stakeholders
Cooperative attitude and ability to exhibit diplomacy and judgment when working with government agencies and the public
Knowledge of safety issues in underground work including open trench and trenchless operations, traffic control and confined spaces, as well as water treatment facilities, while exercising good judgment and concern for workers and workplace safety
Knowledge of working in right-of-way and easements
Ability to effectively plan, schedule, and direct multiple projects/activities through project and asset management
Knowledge of the principles, methods, and standard practices applied in water treatment, water distribution systems, and asset management
Knowledge of State and Federal drinking water regulations
Knowledge of water facilities design, construction, operations, and maintenance
Knowledge of security issues that affect water utilities and ability to recognize hazards to water quality, personnel, and facilities
Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite of software with emphasis in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Knowledge of SCADA and computer control systems. Ability to learn and use WaterOne software programs
Preferred
Postgraduate degree in Management, Business Administration, or Engineering (Civil, Chemical, Environmental or Mechanical) or related field
Seventeen years of progressive leadership responsibilities that included experience with employee performance reviews and coaching and managerial administrative tasks like timekeeping approvals
Demonstrated senior leadership experience and the ability to effectively work with the other senior leadership team members, internal and external stakeholders, consultants, and boards or governing bodies
Experience with enterprise software, including SAP S4/HANA, Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA), ESRI Geographic Information System (GIS), and Automated Information Mapping System (AIMS)
Benefits
Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, and LTD insurance
Flexible spending account
Company funded Cash Balance Plan
Company match Defined Contribution Plan
Comprehensive wellness program
Educational assistance program
A variety of other benefit programs and activities
Company
WaterOne
WaterOne is a utilities company providing water utility services.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
WaterOne has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (2)
2022 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Jorge O'Neill
Information Technology Director / CIO
Recent News
2023-11-16
2022-03-25
Company data provided by crunchbase