Senior Engineer - Water & Wastewater

Salary : $88,336.00 - $101,470.00 Annually
Location : 400 South Main St, Blacksburg, VA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: Senior Eng Water 103026 FT
Department: Engineering and GIS
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 10/02/2026
Closing Date: 10/30/2026 5:00 PM Eastern

General Definition of Work
The Town of Blacksburg's Department of Engineering & GIS is seeking a Water & Wastewater Engineer. The primary responsibilities of this role are to oversee improvements to the town's water and wastewater infrastructure, to provide reliable service to its citizens, and to plan future system expansions to serve future development areas that are consistent with the town's comprehensive plan. This individual will work collaboratively with Public Works staff to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of potable water and effective collection of wastewater in compliance with all applicable regulations and environmental standards.

Work will be performed under the general direction of the Director of Engineering & GIS.

Essential Functions
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

• Coordinates with the New River Valley Regional Water Authority and the Blacksburg VPI Sanitation Authority
• Monitors system performance, identifies deficiencies, and recommends improvements to ensure optimal service levels
• Ensures all activities meet federal, state, and local environmental and public health regulations
• Maintains accurate records of infrastructure assets and condition assessments and provides technical assistance to the Public Works department regarding utility infrastructure operation and maintenance
• Conducts engineering studies and provides technical expertise to evaluate the feasibility of proposed or ongoing projects or methods, or to determine solutions to existing field problems
• Prepares or provides guidance to other Town staff or consultants in the preparation of studies, preliminary design, and/or construction and bid documents
• May sign construction plans prepared in-house as the Engineer of Record
• Manages capital improvement projects from concept through completion, including budgeting, scheduling, and contractor oversight
• Coordinates and obtains permits for projects from other agencies that demonstrate compliance with federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations
• Coordinates right-of-way and easement agreements, as required for town projects
• Reviews water and wastewater plans for private development projects
• Completes updates to the Town's Water and Sewer models, management of available system capacity, and planning for future development needs
• Prepares and makes presentations to Town Council, Planning Commission, other agencies, and community groups as appropriate
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of theory, principles, standard methods, and practices of civil and environmental engineering, and working knowledge of geographic information systems in accordance with Town values
• Ability to plan, review, and direct the work of professional and technical subordinates
• Ability to plan projects and prepare related designs, estimates, and specifications
• Ability to perform and evaluate engineering analyses and to make comprehensive recommendations on engineering problems and planning
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and manage multiple projects
• Ability to successfully navigate an environment where public stakeholders, developers, elected and appointed officials have differing views on policy issues and projects
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to listen effectively and understand differing views
• Demonstrated ability to actively participate in a dynamic team of professionals
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town officials, other public officials or representatives, employees, contractors, and the general public

• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a team environment, functioning for the good of the organization and the community over the individual

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Civil or Environmental Engineering, or related field
• A minimum of 5 years' experience with water and wastewater distribution systems
• Candidates with 3-5 years of experience who do not hold a Professional Engineer (PE) License will be considered for the Engineer II position, with an annual salary range of $80,306 - $92,246

Special Requirements

• Licensure as a registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the Commonwealth of Virginia is required. Candidates considered for the Engineer II position must obtain the PE certification within 12 months of hire
• Strong knowledge of hydraulic modeling (WaterGEMS and SewerGEMS), distribution system design, and applicable codes
• Working knowledge of maintaining the water quality of a water distribution system. Understanding chloramination as a disinfectant is preferred
• Experience with plan preparation using Civil 3D is preferred yet not required
• Knowledge of compliance with water and wastewater distribution programs regulated by the Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
• Working knowledge of SCADA
• Experience with federal and state grants and funding agencies, including, but not limited to, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VCWRLF, WQIF), Virginia Department of Health (VDH), USDA Rural Utilities Service, and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, is preferred
• Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record

Physical Requirements

• This work requires frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 50 pounds of force
• Work regularly requires speaking or hearing, frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, and repetitive motions, and occasionally requires using hands to finger, handle, or feel, climbing or balancing, pushing or pulling, and lifting
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, the ability to adjust focus, depth perception, and color perception
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, using measuring devices, operating motor vehicles or equipment, and observing general surroundings and activities
• Work occasionally requires wet, humid conditions (non-weather), working near moving mechanical parts, working in high, precarious places, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to extreme cold (non-weather), and exposure to extreme heat (non-weather)
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g., business office, light traffic)

The Town of Blacksburg offers a wide range of benefits.
Read more about what we offer