Published date: September 24, 2025
Job Title: Sr. Civil Operations Engineer (Civil Engineer, Sr.)
Organization: Seattle Public Utilities
Address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500 Seattle, Washington
Job Website Link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/5049736/sr-civil-operations-engineer-civil-engineer-sr?keywords=Civil%20operations&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
Short Description:
Seattle Public Utilities is looking for Senior Civil Engineer (Civil Engineer, Sr.) to serve as an Operations Engineer in its Water Line-of-Business.
As an Operations Engineer at SPU, you’ll represent Operations and Maintenance on capital projects, leveraging your extensive knowledge of civil engineering principles.
You’ll be the go-to subject matter expert for operational needs on critical projects, including Wastewater Line of Business (WLOB) and Drinking Water/Wastewater (DWW) initiatives.
Leveraging your expertise, you’ll assist in the design of mechanical features for emergency repairs and temporary systems, working closely with SPU Operations and Maintenance and Transmission/Distribution crews. Day-to-day responsibilities include active participation in CIP workgroups; meticulous review of consultant and in-house plan sets for maintainability by SPU crews and ensuring seamless project execution. Join us as we continuously work to improve Seattle’s infrastructure!
Job Category: Civil Engineering
Job Type: Full Time
Job Ref. Code: 2025-01081
Salary and Benefits Information: $72.38 – $84.28 per hour
Full Description:
Position Description
Are you an experienced civil engineer interested in joining a community-centered public utility that is focused on keeping the City of Seattle clean and safe?
Seattle Public Utilities is looking for Senior Civil Engineer (Civil Engineer, Sr.) to serve as an Operations Engineer in its Water Line-of-Business.
As an Operations Engineer at SPU, you’ll represent Operations and Maintenance on capital projects, leveraging your extensive knowledge of civil engineering principles.
You’ll be the go-to subject matter expert for operational needs on critical projects, including Wastewater Line of Business (WLOB) and Drinking Water/Wastewater (DWW) initiatives.
Leveraging your expertise, you’ll assist in the design of mechanical features for emergency repairs and temporary systems, working closely with SPU Operations and Maintenance and Transmission/Distribution crews. Day-to-day responsibilities include active participation in CIP workgroups; meticulous review of consultant and in-house plan sets for maintainability by SPU crews and ensuring seamless project execution. Join us as we continuously work to improve Seattle’s infrastructure!
About Seattle Public Utilities: Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPU’s work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.
For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), checkout the:
SPU Website
Strategic Business Plan
SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We actively take steps to dismantle systemic racism and increase service equity. We value diverse life experiences and strive to create a workplace that is welcoming to all. We take steps to be inclusive and equitable in our recruiting, hiring and promotional opportunities.
We know work isn’t only about what you do it’s also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family-friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:
Hybrid work schedule opportunities
Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
Generous benefits package
Free Orca Pass
City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
Growth potential and advancement opportunities
Job Responsibilities
Responsible for Civil Design on emergency repair of water/wastewater infrastructure & facilities
Prepare drawings/sketches for emergency repairs
Provide Civil Engineering support to the Utility Operations & Maintenance, Transmission & Distribution, Drainage, and Wastewater divisions
Provide field support to Transmission & Distribution, Utility Operations & Maintenance, and Wastewater field staff
Responsible for field inspection to ensure work is completed per design
Provide CIP support
Coordinate, oversee & monitor work of Contractors and SPU Construction Management to ensure work is completed per design and complies with contract provisions and scope of work
Review shop drawings & specifications for water/wastewater utility work
Provide cost estimates for SPU planned work and emergency repair work
Review designs and specifications to ensure compliance with SPU standards
Act as Operations & Maintenance representative on civil design
Prepare and stamp final plans and specifications for emergency projects
Provide construction support including reviewing submittals, attending meetings, and visiting job sites
Serve as divisional reviewer of final plans, specifications, and estimates
Work closely with the division Mechanical Engineer to assist SPU staff within the Project Delivery and Engineering Branch, Water/DWW/Solid Waste lines of business, and consultants on questions related to SPU system
*Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Qualifications
Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or civil engineering technology and five (5) years professional civil engineering experience
OR
In lieu of a bachelor’s degree in an accredited program, nine (9) years of civil engineering work experience under the supervision of a licensed engineer may be substituted. There is no equivalency for the PE license.
ADDITIONALLY
All Candidates will need to possess the following required qualifications:
Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington
Current Washington State driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility
Desired Skills/Experience:
Experience in the design of thrust restraint systems
Water system design experience
Proficiency with AutoCAD or similar CAD software
Construction management and/or field operations experience in the water, drainage, wastewater, and/or solid waste fields
Experience working at large facilities such as dams, treatment plants, transfer stations, pump stations, and reservoirs
Strong written and oral communication skills
Self-motivated, proactive, flexible, and organized
Open-minded, and patient with change and large organization processes and practices
Work within the organizational framework of SPU Workplace Expectations including our values on Safety, Respect, Diversity, Trust, Humor, Productivity, Integrity, Innovation, and Partnership
Additional Information
This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. City employees will have the option to work remotely two days a week. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.
Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
The full salary range for this position is: $72.38 – $84.28 per hour.
How to Apply:
Submit complete City of Seattle online application, no resume or cover letter.
For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: Katie Muzzin at Katie.Muzzin@seattle.gov
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans