Utility Planner II

Applicants must apply on-line at our website: www.westernvawater.org/careers

SUMMARY OF JOB

Conducts plan reviews and collaborates with localities, developers, and contractors to support effective plan review and project management. Involved in regulatory and interagency coordination. Reviews and drafts development agreements, plats, and other legal and general documents, and assists with negotiations and related funding and procurement processes. Prepares and reviews planning level project documents, including reports, conceptual plans and cost estimates. Assists with interdepartmental coordination in water and sewer hydraulic modeling, system analysis, and general utility coordination. Works with Development Manager and Project Managers in economic development initiatives and regional planning driven by locality or public-private interests. Provides supervisory oversight and, as needed, assumes responsibility for the coordination and management of water and sewer service modifications and new installations (New Services Application process).

Proficiency in various software tools, including asset management and work order systems, GIS, billing and financial platforms, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, etc.), Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam and several enterprise software is preferred. This role provides opportunities to build proficiency and gain hands-on experience with these systems in support of project execution and service delivery.

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, math, science or other related field, plus three (3) or more years of related experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Current Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or an equivalent credential, or proven ability to obtain one within 24 months of employment start date is preferred.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes the following. Other duties may be assigned or scheduled.

· Conducts development plan reviews and coordinates with contractors, developers, and various local jurisdictional departments including planning, zoning, development, permitting, and economic development, among others, to streamline development-related to new service requests for water or sewer.

· Prepares planning-level project documents, including reports, conceptual drawings and cost estimates, and manages construction of small water & sewer projects from concept through close-out.

· Assists with interdepartmental coordination in water and sewer hydraulic modeling, system analysis, and general utility coordination.

· Works with Development Manager and Project Managers in economic development initiatives and regional planning driven by locality or public-private interests.

· Reviews and drafts development agreements, plats, and other legal documents, and assists with negotiations and related funding and procurement processes.

· Provides oversight and, as needed, assumes responsibility for the coordination and management of water and sewer service modifications and new installations (New Services Application process), including responding to new services and infrastructure-related inquiries and monitoring the New Services Application process to ensure entries are accurately completed and closed in a timely manner.

· Leads and develops staff through training, delegation, and performance management.

· Provides oversight and, as needed, provides reviews, for service extension requests and determines eligibility for extensions related to failed wells and septic systems based on the Authority Development Rules and Regulations.

· Provides assistance to customers and staff by responding to inquiries related to Authority facilities, infrastructure and services.

· Coordinates with internal Western Virginia Water Authority (Authority) teams to assess service availability, review impact of proposed developments on existing infrastructure, ensure development compliance with water and sewer system requirements including system capacity.

· Identifies potential system limitations and opportunities for negotiated improvements (betterments) related to proposed developments.

· Works with field survey crews to collect data on existing water and sewer assets.

· Works with construction inspectors to ensure that construction activities are carried out in accordance with established standards and specifications.

· Conducts site visits and field inspections, as needed, for assigned projects.

· Reviews technical documentation, including plans, reports, and submittals.

· Reviews service extension requests and determines eligibility for extensions related to failed wells and septic systems based on the Authority Development Rules and Regulations.

· Determines feasibility of water/sewer service and fire vault installations and service abandonments.

· Consults with the Development Manager and other Utility Planners to discuss challenges and identify solutions within the assigned area.

· Engages in assigned research.

· Consults with legal representation on project related issues.

· Participates in various work teams.

· Plans, directs and coordinates all other activities of assigned areas.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manages/supervises assigned employees in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Ability to resolve conflicts, motivate teams, and manage hiring and resource planning to optimize team performance.

· Ability to think strategically and aligning water and sewer infrastructure planning with regional goals and long-term service needs. This requires understanding of water and sewer utility systems, as well as zoning, planning, and economic development regulations.

· Project planning, management, and leadership/supervisory skills.

· Ability to negotiate effectively and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

· Ability to lead, supervise, and coordinate work.

· Ability to develop, review and recommend processes and procedures for assigned areas, and identify and discuss related impacts.

· Ability to analyze data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

· Ability to represent assigned area in meetings attended, including effectively presenting information to management, public groups, project stakeholders and/or employees as necessary, both verbally and in writing, and communicating technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

· Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from employees and customers orally or in writing, as necessary.

· Knowledge of water and sewer design and construction standards, including equipment, materials, methods and procedures used in water and sewer related activities.

· Ability to read, understand, and apply sound judgment to documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance manuals, procedure manuals, legal documents, regulations, standards, calculations, specifications, engineering designs, drawings, maps, plans and details.

· Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, employees, other Water Authority departments and the general public.

· Ability to work with minimal supervision and alone or in a team environment.

· Ability to write reports, correspondences and procedure manuals in a clear concise manner.

· Proficiency in various software tools, including asset management and work order systems, GIS, billing and financial platforms, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, etc.), Adobe Acrobat, Bluebeam and several enterprise software is preferred. This role provides opportunities to build proficiency and gain hands-on experience with these systems in support of project execution and service delivery.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, math, science or other related field, plus three (3) or more years of related experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or an equivalent credential is preferred.

CERTIFICATE, LICENSE, REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

· Must possess a valid Virginia driver's license or have the ability to obtain one within 60 days of employment date. No more than six (6) demerit points on driving record if required to drive Water Authority vehicles.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, and sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus. If corrective lenses are noted on driver’s license, the lenses must be worn when operating Authority vehicles.

· Repetitive movement using equipment is involved.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stoop, kneel, crouch, bend, climb, balance or crawl.

· Employee must be able to stand for an extended amount of time at the jobsite.

· Employee must be physically able to walk several miles during the day.

· Employee must be physically able to regularly reach overhead.

· Employee must regularly lift, carry and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally 100 pounds. Assistance is required on weight amounts above those listed. Failure to do so could result in injury and denied Worker's Compensation benefits.

WORK ENVIRONMENT ENCOUNTERED IN THIS JOB

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Employee will be regularly exposure to moderate or high noise level, extreme outside weather conditions, uneven, steep, slippery terrain conditions, dusty conditions and wet and/or humid conditions.

· Employee will be subject to exposure to moving mechanical parts and heavy equipment operation.

· Employees will be subject to roadway hazards, i.e. traffic.

· Employee will be subject to outside hazards, i.e. poison ivy, bees, spiders, dirt, animals.

· Employee will be subject to confined areas, i.e. confined spaces, sewer manholes, water vaults, wastewater pits, and/or protected trenches.

GENERAL STATEMENT AND SELECTION GUIDELINES

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work assigned to in this job position. They should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties or tasks performed by personnel so classified.

The following will identify the selection guidelines for job placement:

· Authority (WVWA) application

· Rating of education, experience, training and qualifications

· Reference checks

· Interview with WVWA management team

· Applicant must pass a pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol test

· A criminal background check and social security number verification will be performed. The results must match information provided by the applicant on the WVWA application

· Job related test might be required and would be administered to all applicants applying for the position

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $68,286.00 per year

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- 401(k) matching

- Dental insurance

- Employee assistance program

- Flexible spending account

- Health insurance

- Health savings account

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Professional development assistance

- Referral program

- Retirement plan

- Tuition reimbursement

- Vision insurance

Work Location: In person