Assistant Director, Engineering (Water)

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference-in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Summary:

Assists in the direction of all aspects of engineering capital projects and current expense projects, including oversight of development, procurement and administration of professional services contracts and the oversight of the procurement, award, and engineering support of construction projects for assigned unit.

Posting Period: 2/4/2026 to 2/18/2026 Location: Chelsea, MA
Salary: $169,000.00 - $176,000.00 Annually
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Key Responsibilities

• Directs the development and administration of capital improvement and current expense projects within the assigned unit. Develops funding plans for projects; assists in the preparation of and oversees the department's capital improvement budget.
• Assists in the evaluation of solutions to engineering problems and develops environmentally sound solutions.
• Oversees the work of staff and consulting engineers to ensure adherence to budgets, schedules, quality of outputs and compliance with scope of services and contract terms.
• Oversees the development of in-house engineering designs and permits. Approves final permit applications for submittal and contract documents for bidding and construction using credentials(Massachusetts Professional Engineer license).
• Oversees coordination of projects and engineering functions with appropriate MWRA Divisions and sees that projects comply with MWRA policies and procedures.
• Recommends and develops agency, program, or department policy by analyzing all pertinent issues and information regarding the impact of proposed policy on the provision of services to clients, consumers, or the general public and by determining the resources necessary to implement such policy.
• Maintains communication with local, State, and Federal agencies, professional organizations and community groups to provide information on and gain support for programs.
• Develops and oversees current expense budget for assigned unit.
• Oversees and coordinates staffing with project workload to assure consistency of project execution and quality, and adherence to Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's policy and procedures.
• Oversees the recruiting, professional development, training, and performance evaluation of staff for assigned unit.
• Manages the Department in a manner that is consistent with MWRA's goals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Participates in preparing for collective bargaining and hears Step One Grievances.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, mechanical engineering or a related engineering field is required. Graduate degree in engineering is preferred; and
• An understanding of water and/or wastewater engineering and contract construction management as acquired by at least ten (10) years of experience;
• Including at least four (4) years in a managerial or supervisory position; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.
• A Massachusetts Class D driver's license or equivalent from an adjacent state.
• Registration required as a Professional Engineer in good standing in Massachusetts or in another state with ability to acquire a Massachusetts registration via reciprocity within three months.
• Is required to be part of an on-call rotation for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• May be eligible for up to 50% telework after an initial waiting period.
• The position has been designated as essential in instances where the MWRA Executive Director requires essential personnel to report to work such as inclement weather or other emergencies.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Knowledge of engineering practices and principles.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, direct, train and assign duties to subordinates.
• Demonstrated successful experience managing in a union environment with a diverse
• Proficient in computer hardware and software including Microsoft Office Suite, databases, data presentation, and analysis tools.

Tools and Equipment Used

Office equipment as normally associated with a professional office environment, including the use of telephones, personal computers, typical office software, email, videoconference applications, copiers, scanners and fax machines

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, including office equipment, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk.
The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment.
The noise level in the work environment is usually a moderately quiet office setting.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Chief Engineer.
Exercises direct supervision of the assigned unit including several Senior Program Managers

Other Position Information
PCR: 5525017 Division: Operations
Department: E & C Engineering
Union/Grade: Non-Union/Grade 14

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.