Are you interested in a management role that will help protect and enhance public health, safety, and the environment? If so, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is presently recruiting for a Watershed Operations Manager who will be responsible for the maintenance, capital improvements, and emergency response for all watershed assets and facilities located within the City’s municipal watersheds and over 100,000 acres of SPU owned property. Assets include over 500 miles of gravel forest roads, 46 bridges, 3000 drainage structures, 26 miles of watershed perimeter fence line, recreational facilities, 28 buildings, and all assets needed to keep the Watershed Management Division workforce safe and functional, including potable and fire suppression water systems, sewer system, telephone and radio systems, tools and equipment, light and heavy fleet acquisition, maintenance, and repair. The City’s watersheds include over 100,000 acres that are carefully managed to support and supply clean drinking water to the greater Seattle area. The Watershed Operations Manager position reports to the Watershed Management Director.

About Seattle Public Utilities (SPU):
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is one of the region’s most highly respected and innovative public utilities. With an annual budget of over $1 billion, SPU is a dynamic and multi-faceted, rate payer funded utility.  Our promise focuses on what is important to residential and business customers. Our mission is to provide efficient, forward-looking utility services that keep Seattle the best place to live. SPU is committed to the delivery of a high-quality water supply, essential wastewater, storm water, and solid waste services to more than 1.5 million customers we serve in the greater Seattle metropolitan area.

SPU commits to Our City Values and Social Justice as core principles that guide our work. We support and hold ourselves accountable to this commitment by eliminating barriers to access and providing employees with equitable opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

SPU’s Water Line of Business and Shared Services Branch is committed to increasing racial equity, diversity and inclusion through 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. 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. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

The Watershed Operations Manager manages the Watershed Operations Section within the Watershed Management Division, with responsibilities in the City’s municipal watersheds. Through subordinate supervisors, the position is responsible for managing the work of regular staff, including forest engineers, equipment operators, forest maintenance workers, and maintenance laborers; up to six seasonal field staff; and construction contractors.
Essential duties include, but are not limited to:

• Manages and oversees implementation of key capital improvements and programs to meet complex federal compliance, strategic business plan goals and objectives.
• Provides leadership and direction in assigning, monitoring, and reviewing work of regular staff, including forest engineers, equipment operators, forest maintenance workers, and maintenance laborers; up to six seasonal field staff; and construction contractors.

• Responsible for planning and managing the design, construction, decommissioning, maintenance, repair, and improvement of municipal watershed roads, bridges, and other facilities located in Cedar Falls, Rattlesnake Lake Recreation Area and South Fork Tolt River Watershed. Responsible for state compliance and regulations related to facility maintenance and watershed operations.

• Oversees the Capital Improvement Project and the operations and maintenance (O&M) budgets.
• Ensures compliance with the Cedar River Watershed Habitat Conservation Plan, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Settlement Agreement, and state Forest Practices regulations.
• Manages watershed maintenance through the Maximo system; supports strategic level discussions with regional partners, including Tribes, neighboring landowners, federal, state, and local agencies, and key stakeholders.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Forest Management, Forest Road Engineering, or related field or two years of additional relevant experience.

Experience:
Five (5) years of management experience

Certification/License(s):

• Valid Washington State driver’s license
• Must be able to obtain Incident Command System 700 certification within 12 months of hire.

 
Work Environment:

• Must be available to be on-call 24/7 on an as needed basis.
• May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays.
• May be required to direct staff during emergencies, including flood, hazardous spills and wildfire.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with construction operations and/or forest land management.
• Ability to successfully lead and manage teams.
• Ability to provide clear expectations and support employee growth and development.
• Ability to listen to employees and integrate their knowledge and experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to convey complex technical information in engaging and easy to understand way.
• Strong analytical skills to plan, monitor, analyze and report on budgets and programmatic needs and accomplishments.
• Strong interpersonal skills with diverse colleagues, from front line employees to executives.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively within a multi-cultural workforce serving a diverse customer base.
• Ability to obtain the State of Washington Department of Natural Resource Incident Qualification Card.