Chief Engineering Officer (Deputy Director)

Full-time position available with the Water Department, Director's Office located at 4800 E. 63rd St.
Salary Range: $9,117-$19,167/month
Normal Work Days/Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Application Deadline Date: October 29, 2025

The Chief Engineering Officer reports directly to the Water Services Director and provides direction and leadership to deliver high-level, industry standard strategic services based on planning and implementation of various initiatives focusing on the oversight of all aspects of the Engineering Business Unit and related activities.

The Chief Engineering Officer will build and support a strong internal culture, direct the solutions to engineering and related issues utilizing analytical skills to enhance the Department’s effectiveness. They will establish and maintain positive relations within the Department, other City of Kansas City entities, and the community.

This position is essential to the mission of KC Water and our commitment to producing actionable ideas, research, and appropriate responses to build a reputable department and systems that prepares, promotes, and ensures development and succession of its employees.

Essential Duties

• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of the staff in the Engineering Business Unit, including the Facilities, Water Distribution, Engineering Field Services, Project Delivery, Building Operations and Drafting/CAD Divisions.
• Develops, implements and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives of the department.
• Oversees the work of multiple engineering divisions each responsible for directing engineering activities involving the planning, design, construction, renovation, and operation & maintenance support for the Facilities, Water Distribution, Engineering Field Services, Project Delivery, and Building Operations Division.
• Manages engineering drafting unit for all Engineering Business Unit Divisions including oversight of computer aided drafting (CAD) and building information models (BIM).
• Serves as KC Water’s task leader, project manager, or program lead for major Engineering projects as assigned by the Director.
• Provides technical review, oversight, and direction to the division managers, section heads, project managers, and contractors in key focus areas.
• Consults and collaborates with internal divisions, city council consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders as required in the preparation of engineering reports, design plans, specifications, bidding documents for projects, and construction phase oversight, and inspection of construction work for compliance with prescribed engineering criteria.
• Manages the technical aspects of the engineering business unit by coordinating activities concerned with technical developments, scheduling, and resolving engineering design and test problems.
• Directs integration of technical activities and products.
• Evaluates and approves design changes, specifications, and drawing releases.
• Designs for compliance with engineering principles, company standards, customer contract requirements, and related specifications.
• Oversees project public participation and ordinance review process for water distribution, operational support and facilities projects.
• Maintains engineering Standards of Practice (SOPs); manages risk evaluation and asset management assessment processes for water distribution assets, and Water & Wastewater Facility assets.
• Defines business and financial process by controlling expenditures within limitations of division and project budgets, adhering to and preparing annual budget.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of a schedule and CIP budgets for the engineering projects.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include resource planning; interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance.
• Coordinates workload with other engineering units, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• provides industry-focused guidance to six (6) direct reports managing approximately 70 staff members within the Facilities, Water Distribution, Engineering Field Services, Project Delivery, Building Operations and Drafting/CAD work units.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10 years of progressively responsible experience as a professional engineer. Within 6 months of hire date, must be registered as a professional engineer with the MO Board of Professional Architects, Engineers and Land Surveyors
• Must possess a valid state-issued driver’s license or the ability to obtain one at the time of appointment.
• Minimum of 5 years managing engineering divisions and/or associated experience in water, wastewater, and/or stormwater utilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to making decisions and directing staff with balance, consideration, consistency, and transparency.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing complex engineering related projects in a utility and/or governmental environment, including project-oriented QA/QC activities.
• Knowledge of essential project management processes to improve and/or enhance the effective completion of desired plans along with maintaining a strong, positive work culture.
• Proven ability to effectively manage people and work teams in alignment with associated processes to ensure the success of the organization.
• The ability to build relationships with a wide range of internal and external partners, including ones that may involve individuals, groups, and stakeholders with multiple perspectives.