Stormwater Engineering Manager

About the Department

Reporting to the Water Resources Manager, under limited supervision, the Stormwater Engineering Manager is responsible for the planning and oversight of the Public Works Stormwater Utility. The primary technical focus of this position is on stormwater management for control of surface runoff water quality and quantity.   This position is also responsible for duties that include, but are not limited to,  supervising and coaching Stormwater section staff; reviewing and performing professional engineering assignments; acting as administrator of the City of Lacey’s Stormwater Design Manual;  implementing stormwater management regulations for private and public development and redevelopment projects;  coordinating activities for compliance with the Western Washington Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit; preparing periodic Stormwater Utility Comprehensive Plan updates;  preparing yearly Stormwater Utility Capital budget;  and other duties related to the Stormwater Utility.

May act as the Water Resources Manager in their absence.

Please note: The Hiring Manager reserves the right to make changes to this posting at any time.

First round interviews and skills assessments are tentatively scheduled for May 29, 2026.

*This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next six (6) months.*

Position Duties

These duties include but are not limited to the following:

Leadership, Development, and Coaching

• Supervises and manages Water Resources Division Stormwater Section staff, including selection, development of performance standards, training, coaching, assigning duties and responsibilities, motivating and monitoring work, evaluating performance, and resolving performance discrepancies. 
• Manages the effective use of Water Resources Division Stormwater Section staff resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service.

• Supervises, coaches, trains and mentors section staff regarding stormwater utility work.  Schedules, assigns and monitors workloads to ensure timely completion of projects, and approves monthly timesheets.
• Assigns duties and responsibilities, hires, trains, coaches, motivates, directs, evaluates performance, and confronts and resolves performance problems, including performance counseling, handling grievances, discipline, and recommendations to terminate when appropriate.  

• Facilitates problem solving in the division and encourages a high degree of communication within the section and with other employees or sections affected or impacted by section work.
• Leads by example, maintaining high standards of behavior and performance. Assists with the development of goals, priorities and work programs for the section. 
• Takes initiative in recommending changes in work methods, policies, and procedures to improve levels of service delivery and improve overall operating efficiencies. 

Stormwater Program Oversight

• Implements stormwater management regulations and provides engineering guidance for the control of runoff water quality and quantity on development and redevelopment projects, both public and private.
• Administers the City’s Stormwater Design Manual, including updates for compliance with western Washington State Standards and Design Criteria. 
• Provides stormwater engineering expertise and guidance to development review on engineering plans, drainage reports, design calculations, and geotechnical analyses for private and public land development projects and drainage infrastructure improvements, to ensure compliance with stormwater management requirements.
• Coordinates activities among City departments for compliance with the Western Washington National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit, including development and implementation of Lacey’s overall Stormwater Management Program, oversight of the various program components, periodic updates to tasks and procedures, and annual reporting to the Department of Ecology.
• Updates the Stormwater Strategic Plan to guide the stormwater utility, analyze activities and resource needs, develop a Stormwater Capital Improvement Program (CIP) plan, and provide a financial plan for the stormwater utility.
• Participates in interjurisdictional coordination, and represents the City on regional stormwater-related issues. 
• Coordinates and assists in selecting and managing engineering consulting firm(s) for stormwater utility endeavors.
• Responsible for the quality, accuracy, and timely completion of assigned projects, and for the performance of the engineering consulting team.
• Updates Water Resource Manager on capital projects and reports critical project components.
• Facilitates effective and timely communication between Water Resources, Engineering and Operations staff on stormwater programs and projects. Evaluates and provides recommendations on the stormwater utility portions of projects from other departments to the Water Resources Manager.
• Works as a key team member with Engineering and Operation staff to monitor and analyze the stormwater utility systems for deficiencies and makes recommendations for improvements in design and operation.
• Researches and coordinates the implementation of programs to comply with state and federal regulatory mandates related to the City's stormwater utility systems. 
• Provides customer assistance by responding to inquiries regarding stormwater-related matters.

Budget Management:

• Assists with preparation of the division budget with the objective of achieving and/or maintaining a cost-effective level of operations for public services.
• Administers and coordinates funding for Public Works stormwater projects by preparing grant applications and working with the Finance department in managing grants.
• Assists the Finance department and Utility Billing staff in determining stormwater utility service fees.

Other duties as assigned: 

• Prepares reports and presentations pertaining to assigned projects. Makes presentations to City officials, community groups, contractors, and citizens.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent AND six (6) years of progressively responsible professional engineering and public administrative experience in public works construction improvement projects and stormwater systems. Must have a minimum of three (3) years of lead or supervisory experience which may have been obtained concurrently.

A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent AND four (4) years of progressively responsible professional engineering and public administrative experience in public works construction improvement projects and stormwater systems.  Must have a minimum of three (3) years of lead or supervisory experience which may have been obtained concurrently.

*May have a combination of experience, education, and training that would substitute for the above requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• One year of experience designing or reviewing stormwater projects according to the Department of Ecology Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington, or equivalent. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Washington or equivalent license in another state and the ability to obtain a Washington State Professional Engineer license within the first six (6) months of hire.

• Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) certification required within two (2) years of hire.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation and successfully complete pre-employment medical testing for the ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Must maintain a level of physical and mental fitness necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation.
• Must be attentive to job safety considerations and follows all required safety policies, procedures and techniques. 
• Must possess a valid Washington State driver’s license at time of hire OR must obtain within 30 days from date of hire, and must have a driving record acceptable to the City and the City’s insurance carrier.

• Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be complete as required by the Immigration and Reform and Control Act. 
• Emergency Management (NIMS/FEMA) certifications must be obtained within one (1) year of employment.

Other Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• The Western Washington NPDES Phase II Municipal Stormwater Permit, and the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington.
• Principles and techniques of management and supervision including: work plan design, scheduling, supervision, training, coaching, employee relations, performance evaluation, and employee development.
• Supervising in a unionized environment.

• Extensive knowledge related to the administration of public works systems, civil engineering design, construction principles and practices, and City utilities. Knowledge of methods, practices, and techniques of the maintenance, repair, and operation of stormwater systems.
• Advanced administrative principles, practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, project management, and supervision of staff, either directly or in a project team.
• Extensive knowledge of public administration principles, practices, methods, procedures, and techniques. Knowledge of effective management, supervisory, organizational principles and practices and the ability to incorporate those into leadership behaviors.
• Working knowledge of computers and their applications as they pertain to this position.

Skill in:

• Presenting on complex topics to large and diverse audiences.
• Managing the diverse work activities of division in a manner conducive to proficient performance, high morale, and division effectiveness.

• Demonstrating the expected standards of behavior and performance for employees.
• English language usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• The principles of business letter writing. 
• Demonstrating principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Resolving complex problems and mediating or facilitating cooperation among conflicting parties. 

Ability to:

• Communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences in a clear, comprehensive, effective, and professional manner; both orally and in writing.
• Effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues related to project planning, coordination, timeliness and delivery of construction projects, and utility management.
• Effectively supervise staff and direct successful completion of utility projects.
• Effectively present complicated information, project plans and budgeting in a clear, straightforward manner.
• Independently analyze a variety of administrative, environmental, and civic problems as they relate to assigned projects and to make sound recommendations as to their solution. Considers advantages and disadvantages of proposals and offers statistical data, supportable documentation, and/or engineering or financial analysis to support recommendations.
• Accurately prepare and/or direct the preparation of project budgets, supporting analysis, and reports and develops a recommendation as to an appropriate course of action.
• Perceive when non-routine activities are required and offers to help without needing to be asked.  
• Make efforts to modify workload to assist with emergent problems, assignments, or projects whenever feasible. 
• Effectively manage and coordinate assigned design projects and effectively manage project staff.
• Provide professional and progressive expertise and coaching to assisting staff.
• Work independently and make appropriate decisions regarding work methods and assignments.
• Work from written and/or oral instructions and the ability to interpret engineering plans, surveys notes, and legal descriptions.
• Manage and prioritize multiple projects, completing assigned work quickly and accurately under stress when it is necessary to comply with a deadline.
• Ensure clear and concise preparation of written contract specifications.

Manages municipal government operations for Lacey, Washington.