About Us

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists. That's why we believe diversity is our greatest strength. HDR is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

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We believe that the way we work can add meaning and value to the world. That ideas inspire positive change. That coloring outside the lines can illuminate fresh perspectives. And that small details yield important realizations. Above all, we believe that collaboration is the best way forward.

Primary Responsibilities

The primary duties of the Area Water and Wastewater Utility Planning Lead include the technical leadership, planning, leading and managing of Utility Planning projects, working with teams on various utility planning and utility management service-related projects for federal, state and local agencies throughout Southern California.

In the role of Area Water and Wastewater Utility Planning Lead, we'll count on you to:

Management Responsibilities

• Plan, lead and manage Utility Planning projects, working with teams on various utility infrastructure planning and utility management service-related projects for federal, state and local agencies.
• Responsible for all aspects of large multidiscipline projects or medium-sized projects with high degree of technical complexity, involving a large project staff
• Deliver technical products that meet client expectations. Responsible for workload, financial performance, schedule and quality aspects of the projects.
• Prepare or oversee preparation of technical reports and master planning studies. Primary tasks may include: developing and calibrating water, wastewater, recycled water and storm water hydraulic models, performing GIS data analysis, developing maps and figures, alternatives analysis, system water quality, energy and operations optimization and rehabilitation studies, and developing capital improvement recommendations and plans.
• Responsible for local and regional utility planning business development, including generating leads, preparing proposals, and leading interviews for new work. Support Regional Water Business Group marketing team in strategic efforts to grow Utility Planning and Utility Management Services programs in the region.
• Mentor, coach, and train junior staff to improve utility planning-related technical competencies in the region. Implement effective quality assurance and quality control reviews.
• Participate in local and national professional organization(s) and internal practice groups. Participate in practice and professional discipline groups, project teams and activities to continually improve standards and best practices.

Technical Responsibilities

• Mentor, coach, and train junior staff to improve utility planning-related technical competencies in the region. Implement effective quality assurance and quality control reviews.
• Participate in local and national professional organization(s) and internal practice groups. Participate in practice and professional discipline groups, project teams and activities to continually improve standards and best practices.
• Provide local leadership of infrastructure planning, modeling, identification of capital improvements, and distribution/collection system operational optimization technical capabilities within the Utility Planning practice area in support of the regional and area Utility Planning leads client development leads.
• Serve as client manager and project manager on utility planning projects.
• Build local technical expertise and production capacity through recruitment and training.
• Participate in support of client development and project pursuits.
• Facilitate lessons learned for project delivery, processes, trends, successes, strengths and weaknesses.
• Identifies technical market trends in the local markets.
• Works with local WBG marketing staff to develop a strategy to capture key types of projects.
• Works with WBG Marketing Managers to identify and screen key clients with high probability pursuits that align with the Utility Planning strengths and the business trends in the area.

Keywords: Area Water and Wastewater Utility Planning Lead, Utility Planning, UMS, utility management service, utility master planning, hydraulic modeling

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a professional, engineering or related field. Maintains a professional or engineering registration and has related technical experience.
• Long-term interest in utility master planning, hydraulic modeling, and utility management services is important.
• 10 years or more water and/or wastewater utility experience or related engineering work.
• Experienced in development and management of diverse teams.
• Experience working for a public, municipal, or investor owned water and/or wastewater utility, public works department, engineering consulting firm with project management experience with utility planning and/or management, master planning, hydraulic modeling, general plan or municipal planning, and integrated water resource planning related services for water, sewer, recycled water, and stormwater utilities.
• Hands on working knowledge in a majority of the following technical areas: Water, Sewer, and stormwater utility master planning, hydraulic modeling (steady state, EPS, and dynamic), water demand and sewer flow generation forecasting, land use planning, water conservation and demand management practices, integrated and conjunctive use water resource planning, water and wastewater regulatory compliance and technical support, sustainability in the water and wastewater utility fields, water distribution and sewer collection system O&M programs, GIS and database management, and knowledge of utility rates and finance issues.
• Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
• Maintains a professional or engineering registration and has related technical experience experienced in development and management of diverse teams
• Works cooperatively with other area business class leaders, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers on business class efforts
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master's degree is desired.
• Experienced in technical writing for report preparation.
• Demonstrates willingness to learn and grow skills into new areas.
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and with a project team to completion of a task or project.
• Strong communication, technical writing, organizational, and time management skills.
• Actively engaged in professional or industry associations to enhance HDR technical expertise and brand

Why HDR

At HDR, we know work isn't only about who you work for it's also about what you do and how you do it. Led by the strength of our values and a culture shaped by employee ownership, we network with each other, build on each other's contributions, and collaborate together to make great things possible. When you join HDR, we give you license to do the same. We help you take charge of your career, giving you multiple growth opportunities along the way.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time off, parental leave, paid holidays, 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonuses and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position is $112,000- $167,000 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.