Utility Operations Manager Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary range is $107K to $213K with a midpoint of $160K. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market. 

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Reports to the Director of Project Engineering within the Center of Excellence in the Capital Delivery department. Provides technical and strategic guidance for utility engineering activities that are necessary to support the agency’s needs for capital projects and operations.  Serves as the subject matter expert and is responsible for the oversight, development, and implementation of utility engineering technical criteria, policies and procedures necessary to support design, construction, and operational needs. Manages staff and/or consultants to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. Coordinates assigned activities with other disciplines and departments as necessary. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Leads the development and implementation of utility processes and strategies aimed at streamlining conflict resolution, reducing the frequency of utility conflicts and relocations, expediting permitting timelines, and ensuring adherence to project cost, schedule, and budget baselines.
• Plans, directs, manages, and oversees the work of assigned staff and consultants providing utility engineering support for capital projects and operational needs.
• Supervises, coaches, trains, and motivates staff; provides staff development opportunities and manages employee relations.
• Develops and maintains agency utility engineering standards, policies, and procedures, including exploration methods, agreements, easements, letters of concurrence, utility base mapping, as-built maintenance, and third-party reviews.
• Oversees and owns Sound Transit’s utility-related technical requirements and criteria, including design criteria, standard specifications, and drawings.
• Ensures processes, policies, and practices are consistently and effectively applied.
• Provides utility engineering expertise throughout planning, design, and construction phases of capital projects to ensure compliance with agency, utility, and AHJ requirements.
• Supports project delivery through scope development, cost estimating, scheduling, negotiations, relocation strategies, conflict resolution, and easement coordination.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and responds to inquiries from the public, contractors, consultants, and staff on utility engineering issues.
• Collaborates with Construction, Engineering, Operations, and other teams to continuously validate and improve requirements based on industry’s best practices.
• Assists in negotiations and establishment of agreements with property owners, third parties, contractors, and consultants.
• Administers utility engineering contracts and monitors consultant and contractor performance to ensure compliance.
• Participates in procurement processes for consultant agreements and construction contracts.
• Stays current on emerging trends and developments in utility engineering, incorporating innovations and best practices into agency standards.
• Attends and participates in professional groups, committees, boards, and commissions; prepares and delivers reports, presentations, and correspondence as needed.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field. Five years of experience in the area of utility coordination, preferably on large-scale rail or transit related projects; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Three years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience.

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:  

• Professional Civil Engineer License issued by the State of Washington.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced understanding of principles and practices of civil engineering and utility design.
• Strong understanding of Federal, State, and Local codes and regulations.
• Understanding of supervision techniques and principles.
• Understanding of contract procurement and management principles, and able to prepare scope-of-work and independent cost estimate for consultant staff argumentation.
• Ability to effectively manage, prioritize and delegate workload among assigned staff.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate effective time management and organization skills.
• Ability to collaborate with others and establish and maintain effective working relationships. 
• Ability to manage stakeholders and facilitate consensus. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to convey detailed technical information concisely and accurately to others.
• Negotiation and mediation techniques. 
• Supervisory and team leadership expertise.
• Ability to utilize computer software programs to complete assigned work and prepare reports.
• Ability to prepare, review, interpret, analyze, and modify complex engineering plans, drawings, specifications, contract documents, and engineering reports for conformance to professional standards and approved budgets.
• Ability to interpret and administer policies and procedures sufficient to discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies. 

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Familiarity with Western Washington utility agencies and companies
• Familiarity with local agency permitting processes. 
• Advanced understanding of project management techniques and principles.
• Experience with progressive design-build or other alternative delivery methods. 
• Ability to apply advanced project management and program development techniques and principles.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• This position requires on call work to provide engineering support in emergency/urgent design or operational issues.
• This position is responsible for navigating pre-construction sites, assessing conditions, and resolving problems; may be subject to bending, climbing, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, pushing, pulling, reaching, repetitive motions, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, and carrying and lifting up 25 pounds.
• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required. 

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.