Project Engineering Manager

Join Our Team as a Project Engineering Manager

We are looking for a skilled professional to manage the design, construction, and commissioning of large-scale District CIP projects. This key role also leads CIP planning efforts and develops the Division’s annual budget. Bring your expertise and help shape ACWD’s future.

Project Engineering Manager is a single position mid-management classification. This class is distinguished from other engineering management classifications within the District by its responsibility for supervising the design, construction and start-up of major District CIP projects and planning and development of District’s CIP and the Division’s annual budget. It is distinguished from the Engineering Supervisor I/II in that the latter supervises engineering project management activities and reports to this class. It is distinguished from the Director of Engineering and Technology in that the latter is a department manager with responsibility for District-wide engineering services.

IDEAL CANDIDATE: Candidates with significant experience in water infrastructure planning, design, construction and commissioning, as well as with the oversight of a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for public utility and managing a multi-disciplinary team with focus on collaboration and effective implementation of programs are highly desirable.

The Ideal Candidate will:

- Be a collaborative team player who can also work independently with minimal direction.

- Possess demonstrated abilities to build and maintain strong and effective relations with internal and external agencies, stakeholders, organizations and groups to represent the District’s interests in an effective and positive manner.

- Ability to lead the preparation and/or coordinating the preparation of bi-annual CIP budget and mid-cycle budget updates.

- Have supervisory experience and skills to oversee a team of project managers, engineers, and engineering technicians responsible for the implementation of mission critical projects and programs.

- Have strong program management skills with a proactive approach to addressing issues and finding creative solutions including strong experience in construction contract administration, and claims/dispute resolution.

- Have experience monitoring progress and performance of capital projects against capital improvement plan as well as evaluating and approving changes that substantially impact the scope, budget and schedule of projects.

- Have strong background and interest in innovative project delivery and contracting approaches including design build, progressive design build, construction manager at risk, Job Order Contracting etc.

- Possess a master’s or baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering, along with progressively responsible professional engineering experience in design and construction, including experience leading, directing, and guiding the work of others.

Examples of Duties

TYPICAL DUTIES

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

- Oversees preparation of the 10 year and 25 year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) plan including required Environmental Impact Reports (EIR) as well as other project specific environmental documentation, permit, and easement requirements; makes yearly presentations to the Board of Directors on the CIP and prepares monthly project report summaries for management.

- Prepares and/or coordinates the preparation of the bi-annual CIP budget and the mid-cycle budget updates.

- Supervises engineering review of CIP budget requests and proposals during the annual budget process; after budget approval, assigns projects to engineering staff; sets priorities, and adjusts workload accordingly.

- Prepares and updates project engineering and capital project delivery procedures including the project administration and execution process and contract documentation guidelines; ensures projects are implemented in accordance with District purchasing policy, public contracting procedures, and applicable laws and regulations.

- Oversee the preparation and review of competitive solicitations for professional services including Request for Qualifications (RFQQ), Request for Proposals (RFP), and other Best Value or Qualifications Based selection methods. Leads efforts to promote alternative project delivery and contracting methods to increase the rate of successful project implementation.

- Provides technical oversight and coordination of project engineering work; through project coordination meetings and other means, monitors progress against project schedules and budgets; reviews project design for compliance with engineering principles, District standards, contract requirements, and related specifications; recommends allocation of resources as required to accomplish goals.

Collaborates with other District divisions to address water system capital needs, challenges, and opportunities; communicates activities related to capital project execution, technical developments, scheduling, and engineering design issues. Reviews inspection reports and assists in resolution of field construction problems; authorizes or recommends change orders and claims resolution; represents District in construction contract dispute resolution meetings.

- Monitors engineering aspects of facility start-ups; ensures project start-up plans and required documentation are completed and coordinated with Operations and Maintenance Department personnel.

- Manages the development, negotiation, and administration of construction contracts and consultant agreements for construction management, inspection and administration services.

- Monitors progress and performance of capital projects against capital improvement plan; evaluates and approves changes that substantially impact the scope, budget and schedule of the projects.

- Serves as liaison person with the State of California Division of Safety of Dams regarding the design and construction of new water impoundment facilities, and all safety or stability issues related to any existing jurisdictional facility.

- Prepares the annual budget request for the program; estimates staffing, equipment, and supply needs based upon recent trends and planned activities; monitors expenditures after budget adoption; approves purchase requisitions.

- Interviews and hires new staff; prioritizes, assigns, and reviews work, approves time off for payroll purposes; prepares employee performance evaluations; monitors and participates in employee relations activities within the department.

- Performs other related work as required.

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be the equivalent of:

Possession of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering; and six (6) years of full-time, progressively responsible professional engineering experience, including three (3) years of lead experience directing the work of others in the field and one (1) year of supervisory experience. Completion of the District’s Leadership Skills Training Program is required following hire. Supervisory experience is strongly desired.

Current ACWD Employees: 75% completion of the District’s Leadership Skills Training Program may substitute for one (1) year of supervisory experience. If the internal candidate has already completed the Leadership Skills Training Program, they do not need to complete the program for a second time if promoted.

Additional Requirements:

Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record.

Must possess California State Registration as a Professional Engineer.

Possession of a California State Certification as a Distribution Operator II is highly desirable.

Possession of a California State Certification as a Treatment Operator II is highly desirable.

Possession of certification in Project Management or Construction Management is desirable.

Selection Procedure

If you are interested in pursuing this unique and exceptional career opportunity, please submit your application and supplemental responses online at www.acwd.org/jobs. By the final filing date of Friday, January 9, 2026, at 5:00 pm PST.

Following the final filing date, submissions will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above. The most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the interview and selection process. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for early February 2026.

If you have questions and for additional information about this position, please contact Selina Zapien, Human Resources Analyst via phone at (510) 668-4223 or via email at selina.zapien@acwd.com.

Health Insurance: Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. Under the Cafeteria Plan, employees will receive a flex dollar allowance to purchase healthcare coverage, and qualifying voluntary products.

Dental and Vision: Coverage for the employee and eligible dependents is fully paid by the District.

Retirement: California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) benefit depends on whether the employee is a "new" member or "classic" member under state law.

Classic member: Employee who is a member of PERS or reciprocal agency within six months of hire at ACWD. 2.5% @ 55 with 8% employee contribution. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, Unused Sick Leave Credit, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Final Compensation 1 Year, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Prior Service. The District picks up 2.5% of the CalPERS retirement contribution.

New member: Employees hired after 12/31/12 who were not members of PERS or a reciprocal agency within the last six months of hire at ACWD. 2% @ 62 with 7% employee contribution. Effective 7/1/23 PEPRA employee contributions will increase to 7.75%. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, Final Compensation 3 Years, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Pre-Retirement Option 2W Death Benefit, Prior Service, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Unused Sick Leave Credit.

Social Security/Medicare: The District does not participate in Social Security, but provides a 1.45% matching Medicare contribution.

Retiree Health Benefits: Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. The District's contribution for retiree coverage shall be the PEMHCA minimum contribution as determined by CalPERS on an annual basis. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for various eligibility and plan details.

Employees hired on or after January 1, 2019 will receive a defined-contribution benefit into a retiree health savings account.

Life Insurance: The District provides you with Basic Life Insurance and Basic AD&D Insurance of one and one half times your annual salary to a maximum of $250,000. There is no cost to employee for this insurance.

Long Term Disability: The District provides you with Long Term Disability Income Insurance of 66 2/3% of monthly earnings with a maximum monthly benefit of $15,000.

Short Term Disability: Coverage is provided through the District for employees working more than 20 hours per week at 66 2/3% of base weekly earnings for the first 12 weeks up to a weekly benefit maximum of $2,350.

Deferred Compensation: The District has two (2) Deferred Compensation Plans in which employees may participate: a. 457 Plan - Allows employees to specify a dollar amount to contribute toward retirement, up to an annual maximum. Employees may begin or stop making contributions to this plan at any time. b. 401(a) Plan - Provides a one (1) time, irrevocable opportunity for employees to contribute a percentage (1% - 20%) of their salary toward retirement, up to an annual maximum. Employees may also irrevocably elect upon enrollment to defer a percentage of vacation or management leave balances (1% - 20%) on an annual basis, and/or to defer a percentage (1% - 100%) of their final compensation. The 401(a) Plan is also designed to accept the District’s matching of employees’ contributions. Beginning April 13, 2025, the District will match Classic Member contributions of up to $2,250 per year in the 401(a) plan. Beginning April 13, 2025, the District will match PEPRA members contributions of up to $6,250 per year in the 401(a) plan, on behalf of the employee. Effective with the calendar year 2030, District matching contributions will be $1,000 for Classic Members and $5,000 for PEPRA Members. The employee must make contributions to the 457 plan to receive the District’s matching contribution.

Vacation: 10 days first year, increasing to 25 days after 20 years.

Holidays: 12 days per year.

Sick Leave: 12 days per year

Management Leave: 80 hours to 96 hours of Management Leave per calendar year (depending on classification). *Beginning in June 2025, MCP employees will be eligible for an additional eight hours of management leave in recognition of the Juneteenth holiday. In future years, the Juneteenth holiday may be added to the list of paid holidays or continue as additional hours of management leave credited for the Juneteenth holiday and will be applied consistently across the District.

Employee Assistance Program: Up to 6 sessions for employees and family members for professional consultation and short-term counseling for personal problems.

Tuition Reimbursement: The District will reimburse 100% of the total tuition and textbook costs incurred in taking courses outside of normal working hours related to District employment up to an annual maximum of $5,250.