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SEWER UTILITY MANAGER

Kitsap County

Poulsbo, WA

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Administrative Management, Administrative Skills, Asset Management, Background Investigation, Budget Management, Capital Project, Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Civil Engineering, Coaching, Construction Management, Consulting, Disciplinary Action, Driver's License, Ecology, Emergency Response, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental Sciences, Establish Priorities, Facilities Planning, Financial Management, Financial Planning, Funding, Grant Writing, Leadership, Natural Resources, Operational Strategy, Operations Management, Operations Planning, People Management, Problem Solving Skills, Program Planning, Project Design, Public Administration, Public Health, Public Works, Quality Monitoring, Regulatory Compliance, Retrofit, Sales Support, Software Development, Staff Training, Strategic Planning, Sustainability, System Operations, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Time Management, Water Quality Testing
LOCATION
Poulsbo, WA
POSTED
5 days ago
Kitsap County is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking utilities professional to serve as our next Sewer Utility Manager, a critical leadership role responsible for ensuring the effective operation, maintenance, and long-range sustainability of the County's Sewer Utility Division. This position offers an outstanding opportunity to advance your career in public works and utility management while making a lasting impact on the health, environment, and quality of life of our community.

You will step into a dynamic division that oversees system operations, infrastructure planning, asset management, and regulatory compliance-ready for strong leadership to guide it into the future. This role offers the perfect blend of strategic planning, operational oversight, and team leadership for an accomplished professional ready to take the next step in their career.

As the Sewer Utility Manager, you will:
  • Provide leadership and supervision to a team of 65 employees, including 5 direct reports. Responsibilities include setting priorities, organizing and assigning work, coaching and training staff, evaluating performance, and participating in hiring, discipline, and other personnel decisions.
  • Manage the preparation and execution of a $25 million annual operating budget, including development of the supporting fee structure. Oversee financial planning for program administration, asset management, water quality monitoring, infrastructure O&M, public education and outreach, infrastructure retrofit, sewer system development, and facility inspections.
  • Lead long-range financial planning and recommend adjustments to sewer rates and fees to meet operational needs, capital requirements, and division and departmental goals.
  • Direct the development and implementation of the Sewer Division's Capital Facilities Plan (CFP), including prioritization and funding of repair, replacement, and expansion projects. Typical CFPs include 10-15 projects totaling approximately $200 million over six years.
  • Coordinate consultant-led project designs managed by County project and construction management staff, working closely with the Capital Facilities Division to ensure successful delivery.
  • Initiate and develop grant applications and collaborate with the Department of Administrative Services on revenue bond sales to support capital project funding.
  • Oversee the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting processes for four treatment plants, three state-regulated and one federally regulated.
  • Serve as the County's primary representative in resolving compliance issues with regulatory agencies including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington State Department of Ecology, Public Health, Natural Resources, and Fish & Wildlife.
What you Bring: (Minimum Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Public Administration, Construction Management, or a closely related field, and eight years of progressively responsible experience managing large-scale projects or working in public works, preferably in utility management. To include at least three years of supervisory or managerial experience; OR
  • Associate degree in a related field, and ten years of progressively responsible experience managing large-scale projects or working in public works, preferably in utility management. To include at least three years of supervisory or managerial experience; OR
  • Twelve years of progressively responsible experience managing large-scale projects or working in public works, preferably in utility management. To include at least three years of supervisory or managerial experience.
Please note: Relevant work experience demonstrating required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for educational requirements. Work experience is essential and cannot be replaced by additional education.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience managing or supervising a public utility, preferably in sewer, water distribution or stormwater.
  • Knowledge of wastewater treatment plant operations and sewer collection systems.
  • Demonstrated experience developing budgets for utility operations.
  • A history of successfully managing and leading staff at multiple levels, combined with the ability to foster a positive, people-centered, and collaborative workplace culture.
For the complete job description:
For more information about Public Works: Public Works - Kitsap County and Sewer systems and wastewater treatment in Kitsap County

Who May Apply: This position is open to the general public. Applications will be screened for qualifications and completion of all the required materials and forms. The most competitive applicants may be contacted for further steps in the selection process, which may include testing for office and computer skills.
This position is classified as exempt from overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
'At will' and covered under the Appendix C (as amended) to Kitsap County Personnel Manual Application Requirements

All applicants, internal and external, must submit a complete and fully detailed application. Your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all minimum qualifications for the position by the posted closing date. The County uses the information provided in the application (not the résumé) to verify relevant work experience and to determine placement on the pay scale if you are selected for the position.

To be considered, your application must:

Be fully completed, including all supplemental questions. Provide specific and detailed information showing that you have performed the duties and gained the experience required for the role. Include the total years of relevant experience, quantified based on full-time equivalency. Applications that are incomplete, lack sufficient detail, or do not clearly demonstrate that the applicant meets all minimum qualifications will be screened out and will not move forward in the hiring process. Meeting the minimum qualifications is required. Prior to employment, the successful candidate must:
  • Submit official transcripts from an accredited college or university or business school, if education is being used to meet the minimum qualifications.
  • Pass all job-related examinations/tests necessary to demonstrate required knowledge, skills and abilities, as determined by the hiring authority at time of job posting.
  • Authorize and complete a criminal background check. Information received is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove a candidate from consideration.
  • Report for duty on time and remain at work until the end of their scheduled shift even if an inclement weather event or emergency is declared as an "Essential Employee" under the Public Works Inclement Weather/Emergency Response policy.
Driving Requirements

The successful incumbent must meet the driving requirements of this position and submit a copy a current driving record/abstract (from state of residency) to review for eligibility to drive for Kitsap County prior to employment. The successful incumbent must obtain a valid Washington State Driver's License prior to hire and maintain a satisfactory driving record as outlined in the Kitsap County Vehicle Use Policy. This position is categorized as:

  1. Category 1: Driver operates County-owned vehicle.
  2. Category 2: Driver operates a personal vehicle as an essential function for official County business.

Kitsap County is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or the recruiting process, please contact our Human Resources Office.

This posting may be used to fill future openings.

Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the application materials submitted. Per RCW 42.56.250, all applications for public employment, including the names of applicants, resumes, and other related materials submitted with respect to an applicant are exempt from public inspection.

First review is scheduled for the week of June 22, 2026, then weekly.

Compensation details: Yearly Salary

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About the Company

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Kitsap County