At WSSC Water, we are passionate about our one water mission and devoted to delivering safe, seamless, and satisfying service to our 1.9 million customers. It takes teamwork to deliver the essential, which is why we proudly call ourselves Team H2O – working together, sharing our talents and creativity to safeguard public health and protect the environment.

The Commission’s Chief Engineer serves as lead subject matter expert in all engineering and construction matters. Provides guidance and oversight of the functions within the Engineering & Construction Department including Enterprise Asset Management; Development Services; Facility Design & Construction; Regulatory Services; Pipeline Design; Pipeline Construction; Planning; and Engineering & Environmental Services. Provides engineering and regulatory expertise to plan, design, and build necessary infrastructure as well as operational support for delivering safe water and wastewater services in a timely, cost-effective, and environmentally sound manner.

The Chief Engineer will be a trusted member of the senior leadership team and expected to partner with the team on all matters pertaining to engineering, construction, the reliability and resilience of the Commission’s infrastructure and delivery of internal and external facing services under the Chief Engineer’s purview. The Chief Engineer will be solution-oriented and proactive in identifying opportunities to improve processes, systems and infrastructure as well as identifying efficiencies and cost containment measures. The Chief Engineer will have the expertise to lead continuous improvements in our capital improvement delivery, regulatory and development services. The selected Chief Engineer will have prior experience in leveraging external partnerships to advance infrastructure investment at WSSC Water. The Chief Engineer will embody the core values of the Commission. This position serves in a confidential, policy-making, and public contracting role.

Key Functions:

• Serves as the Commission’s Chief Engineer and lead subject matter expert in all planning, engineering, construction, regulatory and development services matters.
• Serves as the Commission’s lead subject matter expert in development and delivery of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
• Supervise and direct engineering and construction projects from conception to completion.
• Develop and/or review and approve project plans, scopes of work, schedule timelines and budgets.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget and to the required quality standards and specification and within the approved scope of work.
• Lead and motivate a diverse team of engineers, inspectors, technical and compliance personnel providing guidance and support.
• Identify and mitigate potential risks and issues.
• Directs the planning, design and construction of the water and wastewater infrastructure systems within the sanitary district to maintain reliability, resilience and meet regulatory requirements.
• Directs and manages the retrofit and modernization of Commission facilities.
• Ensures that all plumbing and gasfitting conducted within the Sanitary District is performed in accordance with WSSC Water Plumbing and Gasfitting Regulations.
• Provides guidance and support the administration of the federally mandated industrial waste pre-treatment program.
• Evaluates and approves recommendations for rehabilitating deteriorating elements of the water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
• Coordinates with Production for design, rehabilitation and maintenance of process controls for water and wastewater treatment plants.
• Participates in the consultant selection process for architect/engineer contracts.
• Oversees the issuance of permits for plumbing work and house connections.
• Oversees surveying and mapping functions.
• Oversees the direction of the Water and Sewer House Connection Reconstruction Program to replace defective sewer services responsible for sewage backups and to renew any associated galvanized water services.
• Conceptualizes, directs, and manages crucial Commission engineering projects and programs.
• Oversees management of in-house engineering services for complex, urgent and/or emergency projects.
• Evaluates infrastructure analysis and management for the dams and pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe system.
• Evaluates the peer review of consultants’ designs and reports to ensure good engineering practices are used and for compliance with WSSC Water standards.
• Ensures the integrity of the WSSC Water system is maintained through implementation of an effective development services process, with oversight of the planning, design and construction of water and sewer extensions by developers and other requests impacting the infrastructure of WSSC Water.
• Regularly appears before the Commission for requested actions, briefings and to present the capital improvement program and capital improvement program budget.
• Provides meaningful direct or indirect input into the WSSC Water policy-making process.
• Provides substantial intervention or collaboration in the formulation of WSSC Water public policy.
• Has access to highest level confidential information, including all financial records, investments strategies, personnel records, vendor commercial and pricing information.
• Provide performance feedback and conduct performance reviews for employees.
• Engage in the selection or recommend selection, training, assignment and evaluation of work, counseling, disciplining, and/or termination or recommend termination of employees.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively.
• Foster a collaborative and positive team environment.
• Collaboration and coordination of various efforts across multiple departments including operating departments, Procurement, Finance, and internal service departments.
• Implement and maintain quality assurance procedures.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
• Conduct regular inspections and audits of engineering and construction work that is underway.
• Develop and manage Engineering and Construction Department budget as well as project and program level budgets for the capital improvements program.
• Establish expectations and provide guidance for required documentation and reporting to include detailed documentation throughout the project lifecycle, technical memoranda, technical drawings, specifications, progress reports, change orders, and other project/program-related documents.
• Facilitate the Commission’s Project Stat process in coordination and collaboration with the General Manager’s Office of Performance and Accountability (GMOPA).

• BS degree in Engineering (Civil, Sanitary, Environmental, or related engineering discipline).
• 12+ years’ experience planning and directing complex engineering projects or programs, facilities operations & maintenance and/or construction management.
• 5+ years of proven leadership and management at the senior/executive level.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Maryland or ability to obtain Maryland registration within 6 months of hire.