Senior Engineer – Utility Systems Planning (Engineering)

The City of Wichita is hiring a Senior Engineer for Utility Systems Planning to manage water and sewer infrastructure projects. This role involves long-term planning, project coordination, and compliance with regulations, while supervising engineers and technicians. Candidates should have expertise in utility engineering, project management, and strong communication skills. The position requires in-person work in Wichita, KS, with a Monday-Friday schedule.
The Public Works and Utilities Department is seeking a proactive, strategic-minded Utility Systems Planning Engineer to lead the way in shaping the future of our city's essential water and sewer infrastructure. This position goes beyond routine engineering, as it focuses on long-term planning, project coordination, and managing large-scale capital improvement projects that directly impact public health and community growth.

As a Utility Systems Planning Engineer, you will drive innovation by managing complex infrastructure projects, ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory standards, and collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders. With significant autonomy and opportunities for leadership, this role is ideal for professionals ready to apply their expertise to projects that enhance the sustainability and resilience of our utility systems. If you’re passionate about making a tangible difference in community infrastructure and public service, we encourage you to apply.

Workdays and Hours - Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Bargaining Unit: Employees Council
• *Posting may close at any time **
• Supervises and manages the work of engineers and technicians within the Utility System Planning group, as part of the Engineering Division.
• Plans, directs, and schedules Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgets for water and sewer infrastructure, treatment plants and related improvements.
• Directs, coordinates and reviews professional consulting firms' work in the preparation of feasibility studies, plans, specifications and cost estimates.
• Performs and oversees difficult design, inspection work and special studies.
• Assists in preparing specifications, estimates, and contract terms; reports on contract performance.
• Writes Proposals for Utility Projects and facilitates Staff Screening and Selection meetings and interviews
• Confers with citizens, developers, consulting engineers, contractors, public service organizations and appraisers to achieve work objectives.
• Prepares and presents studies, plans, cost estimates and recommendations.
• Prepares and delivers presentations to citizen groups, boards, and commissions.
• Completion of work assignments will require the operation of a vehicle.
• These examples are not intended to be all-inclusive. Other related duties may be assigned as needed.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of utility engineering, with a focus on water and sewer vertical asset design, construction, and maintenance.
• In-depth understanding of federal and state regulations and recent developments in the field of utility engineering.
• Ability to perform technical research work and provide advice on complex problems.
• Proficiency in developing and utilizing spreadsheets involving complex mathematical and statistical operations, as well as software such as AutoCAD, GIS, and modeling software.
• Strong ability to plan, coordinate, control, monitor, and schedule projects effectively.
• Skill in organizing and evaluating engineering data and presenting findings and recommendations clearly to various stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, employees from other departments, and representatives from external agencies.
Required Experience and Training
• Graduation from a four-year college with a degree in civil or mechanical engineering.
• Four years of progressive experience in the design and construction of municipal utility projects, including significant supervisory and project management responsibilities.
• Active registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Kansas, or for out-of-state candidates, the ability to transfer a PE license to Kansas within 12 months of hire.
• A valid Kansas driver's license.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need of a sponsorship.

Preferred Experience and Training
• Two years’ experience managing water and sewer utility infrastructure projects, particularly in urban environments with complex regulatory requirements.
• Two years’ experience with Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget planning,
• Proficiency in engineering software such as AutoCAD, GIS, and relevant modeling tools, along with advanced spreadsheet skills for data analysis and forecasting.

Offers of employment are contingent upon passing a pre-employment physical, which includes drug screening, and upon satisfactory evaluation of the results of a criminal record check.