Water & Sewer District Engineer

Overview

The purpose of the position is to provide professional engineering services to all divisions of the Hernando County Utilities Department, exhibiting strong practical engineering knowledge as it relates to water and wastewater engineering. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or balance the workload.

• Plan, review, and coordinate utilities internal and consultant studies, reports, plans, specifications, and other documents, including groundwater studies, monitor well studies, soils analysis, and water, wastewater facility permitting and construction projects; work with consultants, regulatory agencies, other governmental agencies, and the public as required.
• Prepare and professionally seal, as required, department plans, specifications and permit applications for existing and new water and wastewater facilities.
• Represent the department before public, governmental and private assemblies and meetings.
• Work with the Capital Program Manager to develop long- and short-term Capital Improvement Projects and budget.
• Provide design and construction phase engineering services for utilities projects (water and wastewater) ensuring safety, material suitability, and quality of workmanship.
• Review and prepare recommendations regarding periodic pay requests, change orders, and plan deviations for utilities engineering projects.
• Develop or coordinate the development of contract documents including plans, specifications, cost estimates, etc., for submittal in obtaining government loans and grants.
• Enforce contract requirements and specifications for projects.
• Prepare requests for professional services and negotiate consultant contracts, scopes of services, and fees.
• Prepare or coordinate complex technical documents, studies, reports and applications pertaining to planning, construction and permitting of water, wastewater, and reclaimed water facilities.
• Provide technical assistance to department staff for environmental impacts and assessments and the testing of water, wastewater, groundwater, sludge, and soils; interpret and explain test results.
• Provide technical assistance to staff in troubleshooting operational and maintenance problems, providing timely and feasible recommendations for corrective action.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with local, state and federal agencies to resolve permitting problems.
• Develop, update, and maintain master plans for the County’s water, wastewater, and reclaimed water systems.
• Prepare or coordinate contract documents for county projects and determine the cost of construction.
• Coordinate with the Capital Program Manager and Chief Financial Officer in securing grants, loans and bonds.
• Coordinate engineering requirements for obtaining state and local construction and operating permits.
• Stay abreast of latest rules, regulations and technology. Ensure the Water and Sewer District’s Construction Specifications Manual is within current engineering standards.

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental, or related engineering field.

Five (5) years of experience as an engineer in water and/or wastewater utilities.

• Ability to keep projects on time, on budget and constructed within specifications. Communicate diplomatically with employees, officials and the public.

• Professional Engineering certification from the state of Florida or the ability to obtain within six (6) months by having certification in a state that has a reciprocal licensing agreement with Florida.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License and be insurable by current insurance carrier.

• Complete necessary certifications for NIMS compliance.

• Knowledge of engineering practices and principles related to construction, operation and maintenance of water, wastewater and reclaimed water facilities.
• Knowledge of water production, storage and distribution and wastewater collection, treatment and disposal practices.
• Knowledge of hydrogeology as it pertains to Florida.
• Knowledge of…