Construction Engineering Section Manager (Mgr 3)

Construction Engineering Section Manager (Mgr 3)

Salary

$129,247.20 - $193,849.92 Annually

Location

Seattle Municipal Tower, 700 5th Ave., Seattle, WA

Job Type

Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time

Job Number

2026-00822

Department

Seattle Public Utilities

Division

Project Delivery & Engineering Branch

Opening Date

07/21/2026

Closing Date

8/18/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Are you an experienced construction manager/supervisor who thrives in a collaborative work environment, enjoys a multi-faceted stakeholder process, and is a proven decision maker? Are you interested in overseeing programs that support infrastructure projects to support the community? Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is looking for an experienced and forward-thinking manager to lead as its Construction Engineering Section Manager (Mgr 3) within the Construction Management Division. This is more than just a management role-it's an opportunity to drive critical programs that impact infrastructure, employee safety, and guide #OneCity Construction Management approaches.

We are hiring a Construction Manager to manage public work programs and supervise staff, which typically will be the Supervising Civil Engineers (SCE) and Construction Program Managers with their respective resident engineers, inspectors, and project managers that is assigned to the program to ensure that all project contracts are consistently administered during the construction phase. The Construction Engineering Section Manager will also serve as the construction program manager for various SPU lines of business Capital Improvement Projects, Capital Asset Protection & Oversight Program, Emergency Contracting, and consultant on-call contract manager. The Construction Engineering Section Manager acts as the Construction Management subject matter expert during the design phase, is responsible for resourcing, training, educating the entire Construction Engineering Section. The Construction Engineering Section Manager will use their standard care and practice as a professional to develop standard operating procedures to administer public works contracts, implement organizational change, monitor the construction engineering key performance indicators, and recommend updates to the City Standards and Specifications. You will lead a team of dedicated professional engineers, certified construction management certifications, certified project management professionals, and specially certified inspection experts.

About Seattle Public Utilities: SPU is a community-centered utility that delivers vital services to Seattle residents and businesses including drinking water, drainage and wastewater, and garbage/recycling/compost. SPU also provides drinking water for 1.5 million customers in the region. SPUs work includes system maintenance and improvements and keeping Seattle clean. Over 1,400 SPU employees work with our community to provide affordable and equitable stewardship of our water and waste resources for future generations.

For more information about Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), check out the:

• SPU Website
• SPU Workplace Expectations
• Strategic Business Plan

SPU commits to Our City Values and Race and Social Justice as core principles that guide 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.

Why Join Our Team?

We know work isnt only about what you do its also about who you work for and with! SPU provides a fun and family friendly work environment that supports a work life balance, including:

• Hybrid work schedule opportunities
• Family-friendly and multicultural work environment
• Generous benefits package
• Free Orca Pass
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and administer a comprehensive construction management standard operating procedure, so that the Construction Engineering Section execution is consistent, efficient, and effective.
• Responsible to implement change using organizational change management principles.
• Assist construction management subordinates to carry out direct field inspection and administration of construction contracts to ensure compliance with plans, specifications, project manuals, permits, local ordinances, state and federal laws, and other governing agencies.
• Developing key performance indicators to monitor contract administration activities including, reviewing monthly progress reports, processing monthly and final payments to contractors, verifying final quantities and costs, compiling requisite documentation, and auditing as-built records.
• Developing guides and tools to efficiently determine Change Order entitlement and assist subordinates in negotiating change orders and all necessary supporting documentation, including the independent engineers estimate for change orders greater than $250,000.
• Developing guides and tools to validate subordinates are maintaining required field documentation and construction diaries, field notes, test reports and work records necessary to verify adherence to contract documents, to make contractor progress payments, and maintain as-built records.
• Coordinate work with other SPU divisions, City Departments, agencies, businesses, and nearby communities who hold vested interest in the projects.
• Act as a liaison between consultants, contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, fabricators or suppliers and City.
• Developing guides, trainings, and tools, so that subordinates facilitating pre-submittal, pre-construction conferences, monthly internal project team meetings, and weekly construction meetings are consistently being executed.
• Finalize responses to correspondence from the contractor including letters, memos, requests for information, and field directives for contract changes greater than $250,000.
• Developing guides, trainings, and tools, so that subordinates ensure and enforce compliance with terms of permits authorizing construction projects and controlling use of public properties and facilities.
• Monitor, adhere, and report out program budget constraints.
• Review and programmatically incorporate lessons learned in future design packages to mitigate Owner's risk.
• Serve as a technical expert in construction engineering.
• Lead and resource manage construction programs which assign Capital Improvement Projects which includes Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Major pump stations, large pipeline projects, CIPP pipelining projects, Consent Decree combined sewer overflow facilities, solid waste transfer station improvement projects, bridge, and roadway improvement projects.
• Responsible for developing program scopes of work and managing consultant construction support contracts.
• Part of the SPU Construction Management Leadership team to strategically implement Lean Process Improvements and Change Management.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university with major coursework in engineering, accounting, business administration, construction management, public policy, or a related field.

AND

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in construction management, operations, administration, project management, or public policy, including two (2) years of experience supervising/managing staff.

Combinations of appropriate education, training, certification and experience will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability to the minimum education and experience requirements.

Desired Qualifications: Registered with the State of Washington as a Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Project Management Professional (PMP), and/or Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP)

Licensing and other requirements:

• Current Washington State Driver's License or evidence of equivalent mobility.
• Most work is performed in the field and may entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances and work in or near construction sites.
• May be required to lift up to 50 pounds.
• May be required to work nights, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Overnight travel may be required.

Additional Information

Your success in this position will depend on your ability and/or experience in the following:

• Professional Civil Engineering experience emphasized in Construction Management.
• Experience with practicing, stamping, and sealing engineering documents with the professional engineer's standard care and expertise as a professional engineer.
• Recent experience as an RE for large, complex Public Works in several of the following areas: water, sewer/drainage, solid waste, stream or creek restoration, and/or low impact development projects.
• A proactive team member with good communication skills that gets ahead of issues.
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work within the organizational framework of SPU Workplace Expectations including our values on Safety, Respect, Diversity, Trust, Humor, Productivity, Integrity, Innovation, Partnership and Accountability.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively within a multicultural workforce serving a diverse customer base.
• Understanding the CMAA or PMBOK body of knowledge.

Position Transparency:

• The position requires to be physically present to visit construction sites, monitor construction management initiatives, and support construction management staff multiple times a week.

Who may apply: The City of Seattle encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience. This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. 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.

The full salary range for this position is: $129,247.20 - $193,849.92 annually.

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact: John Lee at john.lee3@seattle.gov

How to apply: In addition to fully completing the online application, please attach your cover letter and resume. Your cover letter should address why you are interested in this position and how your education, knowledge and/or experience qualify you for this position. Additionally, there will be supplemental questions that require your response.

Please note that failure to attach your resume, cover letter, and response to the Supplemental Questions will result in your application not receiving further consideration.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the Citys website at:

Benefits - Human Resources | seattle.gov

01

Please limit your response to less than one thousand (1,000) words: Share a program or project where you successfully managed organizational change. Your submission should outline the organization's vision, key team roles, strategies for motivation, resource planning, action steps, communication approach, and executive support. Avoid including specific names or proprietary details.

02

Please limit your response to less than one thousand (1,000) words: Based on your personal experience, define your role expectations for a construction inspector, construction resident engineer, and construction manager and the decision authority differences between each role.

03

Please limit your response to less than one thousand (1,000) words: Assume that you manage a team of public works construction experts. One of your staff is overseeing a $10M infrastructure project that is behind schedule and receiving media attention. During excavation, the contractor discovered an unmarked utility and halted work stating this is an Owner caused delay. What guidance and next steps would you provide your direct report?

Required Question

Employer City of Seattle

Address Seattle Municipal Tower

700 5th Avenue, Suite 5500

Seattle, Washington, 98104

Website http://www.seattle.gov/jobs