Director, Engineering and Operations

Welcome to Land, Buildings & Real Estate’s Job Posting Water Resources and Civil Infrastructure Group Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE) is the operational core of Stanford University’s physical campus.
LBRE constructs and maintains the Stanford campus, where advancements across the academic spectrum are made possible.
Our work is founded upon the collective values of dedication, innovation, expertise, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
We are committed to serving the university’s academic mission, as well as preserving and enhancing Stanford’s 8,180 acres, and pride ourselves on supporting the teaching and research of the university as “Caretakers of a Legacy.
" The Director – Engineering & Operations position is within the Water Resources and Civil Infrastructure Group, Sustainability, Utilities & Infrastructure in the Land, Buildings and Real Estate Department, overseeing three engineers, an inspector and the Water Shop consisting of eight technicians and a supervisor, and reporting to the Senior Director of the WR & CI Group.
Besides the engineers, inspector and Water Shop, the WR & CI Group includes a water planning and stewardship team and a water business systems and data management team.
The teams all work very closely on constantly modernizing the water systems/facilities, and improving data management and digitalization.
The WR & CI Group is responsible for the engineering, operation and maintenance of the water distribution, storm drainage and sanitary sewer systems, and roads, bridges, and dams, with an institutional long-term perspective and focus on sustainability.
The water systems include domestic (potable), lake (for irrigation) and recycled water, as well as sanitary sewer and storm drainage; components include wells, reservoirs, pump stations, and creek diversion facilities, in addition to pipe networks The Stanford civil infrastructure systems are comparable in size and complexity to those of a medium-size city or district.
Given the breadth of the Group’s purview of water systems and other civil infrastructure, general civil engineering experience such as land development and public works will be more valuable/applicable and preferred over experience that focused on specialized areas such as water/wastewater treatment, structural engineering, or water utility administration.
In addition, extensive field experience and familiarity with construction documents and processes besides just in-office analytical/design experience will be essential.
Preservation of reliability and service capacity adequacy of the civil infrastructure systems necessitates continuous assessment and analyses, along with identification and prioritization of infrastructure renewal, upgrade, and expansion projects.
Two major aspects of the Group’s focus currently are: (1) upgrading and expansion of the water systems’ SCADA, metering & instrumentation, and asset management systems; and (2) comprehensive condition & capacity assessments and development of master plans and capital improvement programs for each category of civil infrastructure.
Managing the engineering and operations aspects of the Group will entail a strategic perspective, collaborative work style and a motivational management style.
Collaborations will extend beyond the Group to other groups within and beyond LBRE such as those focused on planning, environmental stewardship, parking, traffic enforcement, legal and risk management, project management, and government and community relations.
Location: 315 Bonair Siding, Stanford University Work Arrangement: Hybrid What you will do in this role: Manage and execute the engineering and operational aspects of civil infrastructure systems’ reliability and capacity assurance, capital program development, and capital projects identification, scoping, planning, prioritizing and implementation quality assurance; capital projects’ design, permitting and construction management are managed by another Land, Building, and Real Estate (LBRE) department.
Conduct/manage systems evaluations and engineering efforts such as hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, field inspections and condition assessments, engineering analyses, data management, field reconnaissance, preparation of engineering studies/reports, managing consultants and contractors, and field inspection of construction and installations.
Review analyses and project design documents for clarity, completeness, and constructability; balancing productivity with attention to detail is crucial for this role.
Work collaboratively within a team setting in the group to facilitate comprehensive and efficient engineering and operational efficiency and assure regulatory compliance; and will also directly manage some of the group’s more complex studies/analyses.
Collaborate with other utilities managers (e.
g.
, energy and communication systems) and land use planning and development colleagues in various departments to coordinate logistics to minimize campus disruption and facilitate contained project execution.
Provide motivational and participatory leadership of the engineers on the Engineering Team and the operations staff to integrate and leverage their capabilities; and work collaboratively with the water planning/stewardship and business systems/data management teams to constantly improve the systems’ operations, reliability and regulatory compliance.
Work closely with the group director to thoroughly understand the background, vision, and direction for the group’s efforts, and the priorities and processes to execute them collaboratively and successfully.
Note: Not all unique aspects of the job are covered by this job description The successful candidate will embrace the following: LBRE Core Values of Leadership, Exploration, Gratitude, Accountability, Community and You, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in their management style and help to build an organization where these qualities serve as the foundation for successful and rewarding careers for all employees.
https://lbredei.
stanford.
edu/ LBRE views a strong culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion as one where everyone can thrive.
It is a culture of trust and respect, where staff can be their authentic selves, feel safe and work in a place that they feel they belong.
We strive to create a community that draws upon a wide pool of talent to unify excellence while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.
To be successful in this role you must bring: Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering or combination of education and experience, master’s degree preferred.
Degreed civil engineer with extensive analytical, design and managerial experience in general civil infrastructure, including roads, water, sewer, and storm drainage systems, and preferably dams and bridges, and familiarity with their operation, and capital plan development and implementation.
Professional approach, technical competence, initiative/creativity, excellent spoken and written communication and presentation skills, and desire to work as a collaborative team player are all general attributes necessary for successfully working in this position and in the Stanford facilities environment.
Current professional civil engineer license registration in California.
Minimum of 15 years (20 preferred) of progressively responsible engineering and managerial experience in roads, drainage, water and sewer systems, including planning, hydraulic calculations, plans and specifications preparation, project management, and construction inspection.
Demonstrated experience in advanced analysis, problem-solving, logistics planning, financial planning & budgeting, and customer service skills.
Working knowledge of instrumentation & controls systems, databases for inventory/asset management and operational/regulatory compliance reporting is preferred.
At least ten years of engineering managerial experience including leading technical or cross-functional teams, and successfully managing complex projects and multiple projects/issues simultaneously.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
Highly motivated and motivating leader, with a collaborative professional approach and communication style.
Experience preparing and giving presentations.
Experience leading large meetings of project teams and stakeholder groups.
Experience with conventional permitting processes and working with governmental agencies.
Proficiency in personal computer systems and software (e.
g.
, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and preferably in infrastructure related software (e.
g.
, StormCAD, SewerCAD and AutoCAD).
Demonstrated leadership and management style attributes that will elicit productivity and collaboration from the engineers, technicians and other members of the group, including vision and goal setting, work planning and prioritizing, delegation and accountability, performance management.
Additional Information: Physical Requirements*: Frequently stand/walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, and use a telephone.
Occasionally kneel/crawl, twist/bend/stoop/squat, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, and grasp forcefully, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 21-40 pounds.
Ability to obtain and maintain a California Noncommercial Working Conditions May require some travel and working evenings and weekends.
Work Standards When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, https://adminguide.
stanford.
edu.
Pay Range: The expected pay range for this position is $139,000 to $194,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position.
The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.
The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.
stanford.
edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees.
Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
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Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more! Stanford is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.
Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility.
Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.