Utilities Special Projects Manager / Utilities Special Projects Manager – Professional Engineer at City of San Luis Obispo – San Luis Obispo, California

The City of San Luis Obispo has an opening for a Utilities Special Projects Manager in the Public Works & Utilities Department! This classification is a part of the Utilities Special Projects Manager / Utilities Special Projects Manager – Professional Engineer career series. The level of responsibility and salary will be based on the qualifications of the applicant (see Education and Experience below).

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Thursday, April 30, 2026, so please hold that date.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE STATEMENT

The successful Special Projects Manager will be a highly skilled, self-driven professional with strong project management capabilities and a deep understanding of water and wastewater infrastructure. They will lead projects confidently from concept through bid solicitation and will navigate environmental review and construction permitting with minimal supervision. With advanced proficiency in reviewing water and sewer entitlement plans, they will deliver clear and accurate conditions of approval and effectively leverage consultant services to support the Utilities Department’s engineering, planning, and environmental needs.

This role serves as the section’s subject matter expert in project management, contract administration, and development review of entitlement applications. The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong aptitude for tactful negotiation and excel in coordinating projects that require collaboration with the Community Development Department, department managers, the Planning Commission, and City Council. Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills are essential.

The ideal candidate will be approachable, collaborative, and energized by problem-solving. They will bring a strong work ethic, a commitment to teamwork and accountability, and a desire to contribute positively to the City and Utilities Department culture. With prior experience that allows them to hit the ground running, they will provide immediate value through effective leadership, organizational awareness, and the ability to implement procedures that enhance operational efficiency.

JOB SUMMARY:
Develops, plans, manages, assists in, and implements a variety of utilities projects; coordinates related activities of the City with those of federal, state, and local agencies; develops complex water and wastewater policies and programs, leads planning studies, manages capital improvement projects, and ensures regulatory compliance with associated work efforts; at the Professional Engineer level, may prepare, submit, sign, and seal engineering reports, plans, and drawings; performs related work as assigned.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
The Utilities Special Projects Manager is a management classification that plans and oversees a broad range of activities and performs professional-level work for the development and implementation of major projects. Incumbents in this position are provided a broad range of assignments and generally include the most difficult or technically complex work efforts that offer opportunities for initiative and independent judgment. This classification is distinguished from other City professional engineering classifications by the emphasis upon water and wastewater project development, program administration, and implementation.
Utilities Special Projects Manager and Utilities Special Projects Manager – Professional Engineer are flexibly-staffed classifications. Advancement to the Professional Engineer level requires that the incumbent obtain a California Professional Civil Engineer license. Utilities Special Projects Manager – Professional Engineer performs the full scope of professional engineer tasks and utilizes the Professional Engineer license in the course of employment.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives general direction from the Deputy Director of Utilities/Engineering and Planning within a framework of broad policies and procedures and established organizational values and processes.
Project direction may be provided to technical, administrative, and contract staff, and consultants.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Researches, plans, organizes, coordinates, and administers goals, objectives, policies, priorities, and regulations related to the development and management of water and wastewater programs and projects.
• Develops project scope, determines resources required, and confers and negotiates with state and federal agencies to obtain required approvals, permits, environmental clearances, and funding sources.
• Responsible for project planning, environmental studies, project design administration, environmental and project permitting, contract administration, and project and program development and implementation.
• Formulates policy for approval and develops department goals and objectives.
• Assists with Proposition 218 compliant rate and impact fee studies.
• Represents the City in a variety of public forums, develops constructive community relationships with a variety of diverse stakeholder groups, and builds support for regarding policy initiatives.
• Manages and reviews the work of contract professional and technical staff; prepares technical specifications; negotiates and administers contracts and coordinates the work of contractors with that of other City departments, outside agencies, contractors, and consultants.
• Examines engineering plans, specifications, designs, and cost estimates for a variety of water and wastewater development and maintenance projects; may serve as project manager on grants, capital projects, and environmental studies.
• Interprets federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and implements and monitors projects to ensure conformance with such mandates.
• Ensures that contract and City staff provide a high degree of service to both internal and external customers that supports achieving the department’s and the City’s mission, objectives, and values.
• Contributes to the overall quality of the department’s service by developing, reviewing, and implementing policies and procedures to meet legal requirements and City needs.
• Interprets, explains, and enforces regulations, ordinances, and policies to developers, contractors, representatives of other agencies, and the public; confers with City engineering and inspection staff regarding possible changes to plans and problem resolution.
• Monitors the City’s quality assurance program for Utilities capital improvement projects.
• Maintains logs and records of work performed; prepares periodic and special reports as required.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of a variety of written correspondence, staff reports, procedures, informational materials, ordinances, and other materials.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect departmental and program operations; recommends modifications and implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Participates on a variety of interdisciplinary committees and commissions.
• Acts as the City’s representative to a variety of commissions, committees, state and federal regulatory agencies, community, business, educational and other organizations, and the public.
• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• Laws and regulations pertaining to the provision and use of water, wastewater, and recycled water in California.
• Principles and practices of cost estimation, contract administration, project management, and project evaluation.
• Principles and practices of fund analysis and fiscal studies for water and wastewater utilities.
• Recent developments, current literature, technology, funding sources, and informational resources regarding construction of public agency water and wastewater capital improvement projects.
• Legal guidelines and codes for public works engineering and construction.
• Advanced project management and supervisory principles and practices.
• Advanced project budgetary principles and practices.
• California Proposition 218 rate setting principles.
• California Assembly Bill 1600 development impact fee principles.
• The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Laws, codes, and environmental requirements associated with the construction of water and wastewater projects.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including the use of standard office equipment and computer applications related to the work
• Records management and reporting practices.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with contractors, governmental agencies, and various business, community, and other organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person, in writing, and over the phone.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, supervise, coordinate, review, evaluate, and personally participate in programs and projects related to the development of Utilities capital projects.
• Develop, review, implement, and review programs, codes and policies related to assigned program areas.
• Plan, organize, assign, coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the work of assigned staff and train staff in work procedures.
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Read and interpret drawings, plans, specifications, and contracts.
• Prepare and administer public agency capital improvement projects and contracts.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, public informational and educational materials, ordinances, and other written materials.
• Maintain accurate logs and records of work performed.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines.
• Effectively represent the City in contacts with contractors, governmental agencies, and various business, community, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Work in a team atmosphere and participate on a variety of departmental and City-wide committees to enhance the provision of all City services.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Work with diverse populations and maintain an inclusive environment.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in civil, environmental, or mechanical engineering, planning, natural resource management, or a related field;
and
Three years of professional experience in the development, implementation, and management of water, engineering, or resource related programs or capital projects;
or
An equivalent combination of education and experience.
POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:

• A valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
• Utilities Special Projects Manager – Professional Engineer requires California registration as a Professional Civil Engineer.
• An appropriate graduate degree is desirable.

THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• Live Scan fingerprinting - DOJ