Water Resources Division Manager

Salary: $12,052.40 - $15,438.07 Monthly
Location : 420 College Street SE, Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works
Division: Water Resources
Opening Date: 09/21/2026
Closing Date: 10/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

BASIC PURPOSE
Reporting to the Director of Public Works, the Water Resources Division Manager is responsible for the supervision, coordination, and management of the Water Resources Division of the Public Works Department. The duties of the position include but are not limited to, providing engineering, technical guidance, administration, planning, and support services for the Water, Wastewater, Reclaimed Water, and Stormwater Utilities; coordination of water resource and development issues; development of Utility Capital Improvement projects and associated rates/connection fees; education and conservation programs; and comprehensive/master plan administration (e.g., Utility Master plans) and implementation. The City Water Utility serves approximately 81,000 customers, and the Wastewater Utility serves approximately 61,000 customers. The Stormwater Utility operates in all areas within City limits.

*May serve as the Acting Public Works Director in the absence of the director.
Please note:
The Hiring Manager reserves the right to make changes to this posting at any time.

First round in-person interviews are tentatively scheduled for October 28, 2026.

Second round interviews are tentatively scheduled for November 2, 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.*
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
These duties include but are not limited to the following:

Management and Operations:

• Positively leads, manages, coordinates, facilitates, and administers the activities of the Water Resources Division.
• Responsible for support services and analysis to the Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Utilities including: troubleshooting delivery of utility services, providing engineering design assistance, source development, hydraulic and water quality analysis, water quality assurance and quality control, cross connection program compliance, wellhead protection programs, water conservation programs, and analyzing problems with stormwater facilities and/or flooding.
• Ensures quality delivery of public services, in a manner which is consistently safe, reliable, and efficient. Ensures that staff respond quickly and appropriately to citizen inquiries, requests for service, and/or complaints.
• Develops, manages, and implements the comprehensive plans for the Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Utilities, including capital facilities planning and engineering, financing/rate analysis, compliance with regulatory issues related to utility management and administration, and coordination with local & state agencies and tribes on regional issues.
• Oversees projects out of division to ensure compliance with accepted engineering standards, and the Lacey Development Guidelines and Public Works Standards.
• In conjunction with the Engineering Division, oversees engineering design services for City utility projects. The Water Resources Division is responsible for the design of utility capital projects and the Engineering Division is responsible for the bid and construction administration of utility capital projects.
• Acquires and manages City water rights and assures the City has adequate rights and resources to meet current and future needs. Develop contingency plans for future water availability for a scenario in which it is not possible to acquire new water rights.
• Assures compliance with existing water rights mitigation requirements as specified in the water right record of examination.
• Ensures that the City's comprehensive utility plans are current, cost-effective and anticipate and meet growth and system requirements.
• Develops, implements, and administers conservation programs for the Water and Wastewater utilities; including responsibility for local and regional policy issues, and public education and outreach.
• Develops, oversees, and administers surface water quality monitoring and coordination of wetland protection programs; including responsibility for local and regional policy issues, public works standards, public education, and outreach.
• Assures compliance with the Washington State Department of Ecology Phase-2 Stormwater Permit for Western Washington.
• May serve as one of two staff identified as being in responsible charge of the Lacey Public Water System as required by the Washington Department of Health Office of Drinking Water.
• Serves as the City's Pretreatment Lead, working with representatives of the LOTT Clean Water Alliance to ensure wastewater pretreatment regulations in the City's Municipal Code are established, and local businesses are in compliance.

Leadership, Development and Coaching:

• Provides constructive feedback, reviews and evaluates work, makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
• Facilitates problem solving in the division and encourages a high degree of communication and feedback between employees and supervisors.
• Facilitates problem solving between Water Resources and other Public Works divisions, other City Departments, and the LOTT Clean Water Alliance to ensure positive and productive working relationships.
• Supervises, coaches, trains and motivates section managers and staff, coordinates and/or provides staff training.
• Manages the employment and hiring process and employee relations while managing the workflow.
• Regularly takes initiative in recommending changes in work methods, policies, and procedures to improve levels of service delivery, overall operating efficiencies and employee satisfaction. Assists with the development of the goals, priorities, and work program for the Public Works Department.

Budget Management:

• In conjunction with the Public Works Director, prepares annual capital project budgets for Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, and Reclaimed Water Utilities which are critical to the City Lacey's growth and economic health.
• In conjunction with the Finance Director, prepares rate studies with the goal of meeting Washington State Department of Health standards and maintaining affordable utility services for our customers.
• Prepares Water Resources Division budget with the objective of achieving and/or maintaining safe, efficient, and effective delivery of customer services.

Other duties as assigned:

• Prepares reports and presentations pertaining to assigned projects. Makes presentation to City officials, community groups, contractors, and citizens.
• Represents the City at inter-jurisdictional, Council, and committee meetings. Willing to attend morning and/or evening meetings.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Administration, or Business Administration AND seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience related to the administration and management of water, wastewater, and/or stormwater systems. Must have a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience which may have been obtained concurrent.

OR

A Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Administration, or Business Administration AND five (5) years of progressively responsible experience related to the administration and management of water, wastewater, and/or stormwater systems. Must have a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience which may have been obtained concurrent.

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in the design and construction of public works projects (streets, water, wastewater, and storm drainage)

• Possess a Washington State Department of Health Water Distribution Manager IV Certification or the ability to obtain the certification within eighteen (18) months of hire.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Registration as a Professional Engineer 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.

• 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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• 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.
• Civil engineering design, construction principles and practices related to utility projects, and water quality, wastewater, and reclaimed water principles and practices.

• Pertinent industrial safety regulations, standards, and guidelines.
• The principles and practices of effective supervision and performance management.
• Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead (CESCL) Certification.
• Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Duties.
• Related computer programs and software, including but not limited to: construction software for municipalities, Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), ArcGIS, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat, Superion/NaviLine and/or other equivalent public sector software.
• Occupational hazards and safety standards for public works projects.
• Grant funding and grant applications processes.

Skill in:

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

• Demonstrating the expected standards of behavior and performance for employees.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• The principles of business letter writing.

Ability to:

• Effectively troubleshoot and resolve issues related to project planning, coordination, timeliness and delivery of construction projects, and utility management.
• Effectively present complicated information, project plans and budgeting in a clear, straightforward manner.

• Effectively supervise, coach, train, motivate, and mentor staff.
• Plan, organize and implement systematic maintenance programs for division.
• Anticipate training and development needs of staff.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, including public relations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, co-workers, other departments, peers in partnering agencies, and the general public.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare clear, comprehensive records and reports of work performed.
• Interpret and administer policies and procedures and be able to discuss, resolve and explain them.
• Develop and monitor departmental and program/project operating budgets, costs and schedules.
• Analyze problems and suggest solutions.
• Maintain confidentiality of work-related issues, city records, and city information in coordination with all state and federal public records statues and regulations.

The City of Lacey understands the importance of benefits and offers a competitive and full benefits package for all regular full-time employees.

Generally, represented employees may receive some, or all, of the benefits listed below, based on their union contracts. Those employees should consult their union agreements for specific information about their benefits, which can be found on the City web page

Medical Insurance Benefits:

• Medical - Choice of Regence BlueShield (PPO) or Kaiser Permanente (HMO) plans offered through the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Trust.

The employer pays 100% of employee's monthly premiums and 90% of qualified dependent/domestic partner's premiums.

• Vision - VSP with low co-pays
• Dental - Choice of Willamette or Delta Dental plans and orthodontia coverage.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Program that provides resources to employees, their immediate family (including dependent children) and anyone living in the employee's household. The EAP can provide help with matters such as stress/anxiety, parenting, grief, workplace issues, legal services, financial services, and more.

Life Insurance & Long Term Disability & Accidental Death and Dismemberment

• Employer paid life insurance plan
• Employer paid long term disability plan
• Employer paid accidental death and dismemberment plan

Leave Benefits:

• Vacation (which increases with years of service)
  • 96 Hours Vacation on Accrual Basis for Non-Represented Non-Supervisory Employees, LPOG Represented Employees
  • 128 Hours Vacation on Accrual