CHIEF ENGINEER OF SEWERS

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

CHIEF ENGINEER OF SEWERS

DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT

Bureau of Engineering Services-Sewers

Number of Positions: 1

(Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $129,936.00/year

Applications for this position will be accepted from 6/16/25, until 11:59pm CDT on 7/7/25

The City of Chicago is seeking a Chief Engineer of Sewers to function as the lead Engineer reporting directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Engineering Services and second in-charge of the bureau by directing the planning, design, implementation and administration of the sewer capital improvement program.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

* Manages and directs division units (e.g., sewer design, construction, lining, contract administration, planning and records) within the sewer engineering group to ensure the overall implementation of the sewer capital improvement program

* Manages professional engineers involved in the review and preparation of designs, plans, specifications, layouts and other sewer construction documentation

* Assists in the development of the strategic direction of the division to ensure that objectives and performance measures are consistent with departmental, City and service expectations

* Plans and directs the budgeting and program management of the sewer capital improvement program

* Compiles sewer engineering and financial data on the existing sewer system and new capital projects to assist the department in obtaining funding from various sources (e.g., bonds, loans and grants) for planned sewer infrastructure improvements

* Implements financial controls to monitor the disbursement of sewer project funds to contractors and engineering consultants

* Develops and monitors performance indicators on the capital improvement program

* Supervises the preparation of financial and engineering reports, detailing the progress of all work within the sewer group to management

* Provides oversight to staff engaged in contract administration activities (e.g., reviewing and evaluating contract proposals, finalizing contracts for submission to Department of Procurement Services and monitoring contracts for compliance)

* Represents the department at various technical and civil organizations to discuss sewer planning and improvement projects

* Selects, supervises, trains and evaluates the performance of assigned unit managers, supervisors and staff

* Attends meetings with other City departments, elected officials and outside agencies; explains and justifies Department programs, policies and activities; and negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant and controversial issues

Additional duties may be required for this position

Location: 1000 East Ohio, Chicago, IL 60611

Days: Varies

Hours: Varies

THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT FROM THE CAREER SERVICE

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, PLUS six (6) years of supervisory experience in the planning, design, and construction management of engineering projects, OR

* Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree or higher in Engineering, PLUS five (5) years of supervisory experience in the planning, design, and construction management of engineering projects

* Registration as a Professional Engineer (R.P.E.). At the time of employment, positions must have obtained Registration as a Professional Engineer (R.P.E.) in the State of Illinois.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected.

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices click here.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor