Assistant Division Director Engineering

Assistant Division Director Engineering

Salary

$107,861.52 - $204,936.99 Annually

Location

FX. CTY. GOVERNMENT CENTER, 12000 GOVERNMENT CENTER PKWY., FAIRFAX (EJ32), VA

Job Type

FT Salary W BN

Job Number

26-01078

Department

DPWES Capital Facilities

Opening Date

07/25/2026

Closing Date

8/21/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Pay Grade

M02

Posting Type

Open to General Public

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Announcement

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus*

At the Wastewater Design and Construction Division (WDCD), we are a collaborative team of professionals dedicated to safeguarding public health, protecting the environment, and enhancing the quality of life in our communities through the design and delivery of innovative wastewater capital improvement projects. We lead the planning, design, and construction of critical infrastructure upgrades that ensure the reliability, sustainability, and resilience of Fairfax County's sanitary sewer system.

The Collections Branch of the WDCD is seeking a highly experienced and motivated individual to serve as the Assistant Division Director - Engineering (Collections Branch Chief). This position leads a team of 22 staff including engineers, construction managers, inspectors, and other support staff to ensure that all design and construction activities meet project drawings and specifications requirements, county and state standards, and safety regulations. The staff is engaged to perform on large, high dollar, complex wastewater pump station, gravity sewer, and other sewerage system design and construction projects to assure timely, cost effective, and high-quality project delivery services.

DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates, and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits:

• Benefits
• Retirement

Learn more about us.

Keys responsibilities include:

• Management and Leadership - Leads branch in project management, design, and construction of complex, capital project activities related to wastewater collection and conveyance. Serves as an active member of the Capital Facilities (CAP) Business Team and core CAP Leadership Team. Actively participates in core Leadership Team for both agency-wide vertical and horizontal broad projects planning and delivery, strategic planning, public health and environmental safety compliance issues, emergency planning and preparedness, agency policy development and financial management. Represents the department at public hearings, citizen meetings, and meetings with consultants and construction contractors. Ensures staff is trained and prepared to respond and, in emergencies, ensures safety standards are met and enforced. Plans, assigns, delegates, and prioritizes workload within the branch as appropriate. Ensures design and construction quality standards, schedules and deadlines are met. Provides direction to branch engineers, professional consultants, and construction contractors on technical project issues to resolve design and/or construction related problems and contractual issues.
• Contract Management - Through delegated authority from the department contracting officer, oversees the complete range of procurement activities for Wastewater Design and Construction contracts. Makes decisions and recommendations for design consultants election and works to resolve issues during contract negotiations. Provides direction and guidance for the preparation of technical contract documents, construction bidding, and the evaluation of construction bids in accordance with the Fairfax County Purchasing Resolution. Makes recommendations regarding award of design and construction contracts. Ensures compliance with federal and state requirements on grant funded projects. Evaluates and, as necessary, negotiates construction contract change orders. Applies technical knowledge and knowledge of contracting practices and negotiation skills to resolve claims and disputes. Makes recommendations for updates to county design and construction contracts and coordinates with the County Attorney s office.
• Capital Budget Management - Prepares capital project budget submissions, cash flow projection reports and other financial reports as required. Works closely with using agencies and the Department of Management and Budget on fiscal issues related to capital project funding. Provides direction and guidance to branch employees, senior management and using agencies on capital project budget issues. Prepares detailed project budgets based on historical information, benchmarked costs, and in-depth technical knowledge related to wastewater project design and construction. Reviews financial activity of projects on an ongoing basis and identifies potential project funding issues.
• Personnel Actions - Responsible for overall personnel management of all division employees including hiring, approval of working hours, leave and overtime, personnel actions, job descriptions, performance standards, annual evaluations and other personnel matters.
• Other Administrative Duties - May need to assume the duties of division director when so designated. Serves as a member of the CAP Emergency Management Team in response to countywide emergencies. May be required to report to Emergency Operations Center after-hours and work 12-hour shifts, as needed.
• A $5,000 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired in the Assistant Division Director Engineering position.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to") Graduation from a four-year college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technologies with a bachelors degree in the appropriate engineering or architecture field; plus, five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field, including two years of supervisory experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• A valid drivers license.
• Possession of a valid Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license.

An individual who possesses a valid Professional Engineer or Architect license in another state will be granted a temporary exemption to this requirement pending the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers & Landscape Architects decision regarding that individuals application for reciprocity. As a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect, signs and seals own work product and/or that of subordinate staff.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Eight or more years of progressively responsible experience in all aspects of construction and inspection for primarily horizontal capital projects, preferably within local, state, or federal government.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience or leadership responsibilities for engineers and other construction professionals.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership of a diverse and multi-disciplined professional staff and working with civic groups, other county/state/federal agencies to build alliances and improve collaboration.
• Detailed knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations related to wastewater design and construction.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills and experience with both public and internal presentations to various audiences.
• Certification as a DEQ SWM Combined Administrator.
• Certified Construction Manager, CCM.
• Information technology skills including use of Microsoft Office software such as Excel Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The job is generally sedentary. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include exercise.

BONUS ELIGIBILITY:

Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-JT1

Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click here for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program: Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid

For additional details please visit the Countys benefits webpage.

Non-Merit Positions

• Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage

• Flexible Spending Program

• Deferred Compensation

• Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.

• No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03

Please indicate the major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.

• Engineering
• Architecture
• Civil engineering
• Wastewater engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Biological systems engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Other (related field)
• Other (non-related field)
• Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list all of your majors and minors. If this question does not pertain to you, or you do not have a degree, enter "Not applicable".

05

How many years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine years or more

06

How many years of full-time equivalent supervisory experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five years or more

07

Do you have a valid Professional Engineer (PE) license from the Commonwealth of Virginia or similar registration from another state and can achieve Virginia registration within one year of the start of employment?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered "Yes" to the previous questions, please provide your full name as shown on the registration, license number, state in which the license was issued, and the expiration date. If this question does not apply to you, please enter "N/A".

09

Do you currently possess a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

10

Within the field of project management, how many years of professional supervisory/management experience do you have leading diverse groups of employees?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

11

What is the largest number of staff you have supervised/managed at any one given point in time? This may include full- or part-time staff.

• 1 to 5 staff members
• 6 to 15 staff members
• 16 to 25 staff members
• 26 or more staff members
• No supervisory experience

12

What is the largest budget you had to implement and manage? Please specify the U.S. dollar ($) amount in the space below. If this question does not pertain to you, type "N/A".

13

Do you have working knowledge and/or experience in any of the following areas? Check all that apply.

• Capital Improvement Program (CIP)
• Capital project financial monitoring and reporting
• Capital budget preparation
• Public sector procurement process
• Multiple funding streams
• Strategic planning
• None of the above

Required Question

Employer Fairfax County

Address 12000 Government Center Pkwy. Suite 270

Fairfax, Virginia, 22035

Phone 703-324-3311

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/fairfaxcounty/default.cfm