Out-of-Class (OOC) System Management Division Director

August 18, 2026

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking a collaborative leader to temporarily fill in as the Out-of-Class (OOC) System Management Division Director. This senior leadership position reports to the Chief Operating Officer of the Drainage and Wastewater (DWW) Line of Business (LOB), is accountable for strategic asset management and overall system operations, and is responsible for a division of 46 professional and technical staff who monitor and assess the performance of the City's drainage and wastewater system to ensure 24/7 service to our ratepayers. This OOC opportunity is expected to last up to 1-year and is open to all eligible and qualified Seattle Public Utilities employees. Depending on candidate interest, this OOC may be split into two 6-month opportunities. About Seattle Public Utilities: 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. SPU’s 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: <ul style="padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; margin: 0px 0px 3pt; color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left;"><li style=" padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/" target="_blank" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href="https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" style=" color: inherit; text-decoration: underline;">SPU Website</a> </li><li style=" padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://seattlegov.sharepoint.com/sites/SPU_RQA/Shared%20Documents/HR-150.pdf" target="_blank" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" data-uw-pdf-br="2" data-uw-pdf-doc="" style=" color: inherit; text-decoration: underline;">SPU Workplace Expectation</a></li><li style=" padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/about/plans/strategic-business-plan" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href="https://www.seattle.gov/utilities/about/plans/strategic-business-plan" style=" color: inherit; text-decoration: underline;">Strategic Business Plan</a> </li></ul> SPU commits to <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/working-at-the-city/our-values" target="_blank" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href="https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/working-at-the-city/our-values" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left;">Our City Values</a> and <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/rsji" target="_blank" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href="https://www.seattle.gov/rsji" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" style="color: inherit; text-decoration: underline; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-align: left;">Race and Social Justice</a> 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.<ul><li>Accountable for the development of asset management plans and management of asset management capital programs. Accountable for DWW’s overall Strategic Asset Management Plan. </li><li>Acts as the DWW asset owner and identify key issues affecting the operations and maintenance of DWW LOB assets. Work in collaboration with other Divisions to identify strategies, policies and procedures to resolve these issues. </li><li>Oversee DWW’s modeling team and urban watershed program.</li><li>Accountable for regulatory compliance and sewer overflow and combined sewer overflow reporting for SPU's Consent Decree and NPDES permit. </li><li>Using general knowledge of civil engineering, advises the COO of DWW LOB on highly technical issues impacting the DWW system. </li><li>Builds and maintains collaborative relationships within SPU, the City, and County. Acts as an effective liaison between operation and planning/delivery.</li><li>Manage the budget of the Division, identifying needs and prioritizing investments when needed.</li></ul>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. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.Experience: Eight (8) years increasingly responsible professional-level experience in a medium to large sized utility. Two (2) years supervisory experience is required. Education: A Bachelor's degree in Business or Public administration, Civil Engineering, Environmental Studies or a related field. If no degree, two (2) additional years of qualifying experience is required. Combinations of appropriate education, training, certification, professional and/or lived experience(s) will be evaluated on an individual basis for comparability to the minimum education and experience requirements. Desired Qualifications:<ul><li>A comprehensive knowledge of combined sewer overflow (CSO) and separate sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) systems, operations, and control technologies; national CSO policy and familiarity with both federal and state regulatory programs related to wastewater and stormwater.</li><li>Experience managing a large operations and maintenance function with a diverse workforce in a unionized environment.</li><li>Demonstrated success utilizing key performance indicators/metrics to assess performance and drive organizational improvements.</li><li>Commitment to the City’s Race and Social Justice initiative as well as our values of access, opportunity, and sustainability.</li><li>Strong leadership skills in change management, team development, and service delivery excellence.</li><li>Known for collaborative leadership, effective communication, and the ability to build consensus among diverse stakeholders.</li><li>Ability to support a positive culture and drive strategic initiatives.</li></ul>How to Apply:In addition to fully completing the online application, we require candidates to attach a current resume, and cover letter describing your work experience(s) and how that makes you a good candidate for this OOC role. The full salary range for this position is $78.96 per hour - $130.31 per hour. Workplace Environment: This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. Employees will have the option to work remotely two days a week. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor. Who may apply: All qualified and regular employees of Seattle Public Utilities. 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 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 City's website at: <a href="https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits" data-uw-rm-brl="PR" data-uw-original-href="https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits" style=" color: inherit; text-decoration: underline !important;">https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits</a> If you have any questions, please contact Heather Baldwin-Stewart at <a href="mailto:Heather.BaldwinStewart@seattle.gov" style="color: inherit; font-style: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-decoration: underline !important;">Heather.BaldwinStewart@seattle.gov</a>.

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