Tri-River Water City of Sanford NC - Director of Engineering

TriRiver Water a department of the City of Sanford is seeking a Director of Engineering to lead and oversee engineering operations across a rapidly growing regional water and wastewater utility system. This position is pivotal in shaping the future of infrastructure as the region experiences unprecedented expansion and investment.

The Director of Engineering will manage major capital improvement projects oversee an engineering team and collaborate with city and regional stakeholders to ensure water and sewer infrastructure meets the demands of growth and sustainability.

This role is instrumental in ensuring that Sanfords water and sewer infrastructure keeps pace with rapid population and economic growth. Reporting to the Executive Director of Utilities the Director of Engineering will serve as a key strategic advisor on longterm infrastructure planning collaborating with leaders across Public Works Planning Finance and external consultants to implement largescale projects that align with the Citys vision for growth. The role also entails overseeing road resurfacing efforts managing consultant contracts and supporting key city facility projects such as new fire stations a city hall annex and downtown revitalization efforts.

The Director of Engineering will oversee a talented team of engineers and technical professionals fostering a culture of pragmatism innovation and accountability. This position requires a leader who can balance technical expertise with bigpicture thinking someone who can make sound decisions learn from challenges and drive forward projects that will shape the Citys future. The Director of Engineering will be responsible for overseeing the work of a dedicated team consisting of two Civil Engineers one Engineering Services Specialist and one Engineering Project Coordinator. This team will operate within an annual operating budget of $1.6 million with a capital budget of $395 million subject to variation based on ongoing projects and organizational needs. The Director will ensure the efficient management of resources project and overall strategic alignment within the scope of these financial parameters.

This position was created in response to organizational growth and leadership succession planning ensuring continuity in engineering leadership as key city leaders plan for retirement. It represents an opportunity for a forwardthinking professional to leave a lasting impact on one of North Carolinas fastestgrowing communities.

Priorities

• Establish strong relationships with City leadership staff and external stakeholders fostering trust transparency and collaboration in engineering initiatives.
• Assess current infrastructure projects and capital improvement plans identifying opportunities for efficiency innovation and alignment with the Citys longterm growth strategy.
• Develop a clear understanding of the Citys regulatory framework and engineering standards ensuring compliance while implementing best practices in infrastructure design and maintenance.
• Support a culture of professional development and accountability mentoring staff and strengthening team capacity to handle the Citys evolving engineering needs.
• Engage proactively with developers utility providers and regional partners facilitating responsible growth while maintaining the integrity of Sanfords infrastructure.

The Successful Candidate

The next Director of Engineering is a pragmatic and highly competent leader who takes a solutionsoriented approach to infrastructure challenges and capital project planning. This individual will be collaborative and adaptable balancing Sanfords growth with the need for sustainable wellmaintained public infrastructure.

The ideal candidate has strong leadership and coaching skills fostering a highperforming team that prioritizes accountability innovation and professional development. They will delegate work effectively assess staff performance and provide mentorship to ensure both daytoday operations and longterm strategic objectives are met.

The Director will serve as a trusted advisor to City leadership offering technical expertise and strategic guidance on engineering initiatives. They will be wellversed in municipal infrastructure land development processes and capital improvement planning ensuring projects are costeffective resilient and aligned with the Citys growth strategies.

A skilled communicator and relationshipbuilder the Director will engage with internal and external stakeholders including developers regulatory agencies elected officials and the public. They will be transparent in decisionmaking and able to explain complex engineering and regulatory issues in practical understandable terms.

The ideal candidate is an ethical and strategic thinker who embraces best practices and emerging technologies in asset management GIS and sustainable infrastructure. They will help modernize processes improve efficiency and develop forwardthinking policies that position Sanford for longterm success.

A Professional Engineer certification is highly desired for this position as it reflects a deep understanding of engineering principles industry standards and best practices. Candidates with demonstrated success in engineering projects along with a strong ability to apply engineering knowledge to realworld challenges will be given top consideration. This role requires an individual who can confidently engage with multidisciplinary teams provide technical leadership and ensure the successful of engineering initiatives. Excellent qualifications and experience will contribute to the credibility and success of TriRiver Water and the City of Sanford.

This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned engineering professional to lead with pragmatism technical expertise and a commitment to collaboration ensuring the infrastructure of Sanford and its regional partners remains both functional and future ready.

Qualifications

Minimum requirements include any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelors degree in civil engineering environmental engineering or a closely related field along with extensive experience in professional civil engineering. Supervisory experience is also required.

Preferred qualifications include a masters degree public sector experience and expertise in land use planning infrastructure development and capital improvement projects. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) is also preferred. Experience using AutoCAD ArcGIS Munis software and budgeting tools will be a plus. A strong background in utility engineering municipal government operations finance and budgeting is desirable particularly for those who have managed largescale projects.

Inside The Organization & Department

TriRiver Water is a regional water and wastewater utility formed through the merger of the City of Sanfords and the Town of Pittsboros systems. The City has also executed utility merger agreements with the Town of Siler City and Chatham County. TriRiver serves as a model for regional partnerships providing reliable water and wastewater services to the growing communities in central North Carolina.

The City of Sanford a political subdivision of Lee County operates under a councilmanager form of government. The City Council consisting of the Mayor and seven Council members is responsible for legislative and policymaking decisions while the City Manager oversees daily operations including budget management and personnel oversight. The Councils responsibilities include:

• Appointing key leadership roles such as the City Manager City Attorney and City Clerk
• Approving the annual budget
• Authorizing contracts and agreements
• Establishing policies and enacting ordinances

Sanford provides a full range of municipal services including police fire sanitation streets and public improvements in addition to operating its water and sewer system. The Citys total operating budget foris $78.7 million.

The Formation of TriRiver Water

The creation of TriRiver Water represents a decadelong effort to enhance water and wastewater services through regional collaboration. Beginning in 2011 discussions between Sanford and Pittsboro focused on shared wastewater treatment solutions with further partnerships emerging as development in the region increased. A 2020 study confirmed the benefits of merging the systems highlighting opportunities for improved service delivery economies of scale and access to additional water resources.

By 2022 both municipalities committed to regionalizing their systems and in August 2023 the final merger agreement was signed. This agreement paved the way for major infrastructure investments including a new wastewater transmission line and the expansion of the Sanford Water Treatment Plant. On July 1 2024 TriRiver Water officially began operations ensuring a more resilient and efficient water system for the region.

Looking ahead TriRiver Water is focused on optimizing operations implementing a new work order system and advancing key capital improvement projects. The next Director of Engineering will play a critical role in shaping the future of the utility driving innovation and ensuring longterm sustainability for the communities it serves.

The Community

Sanford offers an exceptional blend of smalltown charm and modern convenience. Located just 40 minutes southwest of Raleigh and within a twohour drive of both the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic Coast Sanford provides easy access to worldclass cities stunning natural landscapes and a high quality of life.

With a growing population of over 30000 residents Sanford is known for its welcoming and diverse community featuring a mix of longtime locals and newcomers drawn to its thriving economy and familyfriendly atmosphere.

Sanfords historic downtown is a vibrant hub of culture with art galleries live music theaters and local craft breweries creating a lively social scene. The city hosts yearround festivals including the Sanford Arts & Vine Festival and the Depot Park Farmers Market celebrating local artistry food and community spirit.

For outdoor enthusiasts Sanford and Lee County boast an extensive parks and recreation system featuring:

• Over 300 acres of public parks with walking trails sports fields and playgrounds
• The scenic SanLee Park offering fishing kayaking and hiking trails
• The Deep River and Cape Fear River ideal for boating and fishing
• Awardwinning golf courses including the renowned Tobacco Road Golf Course.

Sanfords toprated schools including Lee County Schools and Central Carolina Community College offer strong educational opportunities while its affordable housing market and safe welcoming neighborhoods make it an attractive place for families and professionals alike.

Economically Sanford is a regional powerhouse home to major employers in manufacturing pharmaceuticals biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. Companies like Pfizer Caterpillar and Bharat Forge drive job growth while small businesses and entrepreneurs continue to fuel innovation.

Recognized as one of North Carolinas fastestgrowing communities Sanford has earned accolades for its businessfriendly environment historic preservation efforts and quality of life. Whether youre looking for career opportunities outdoor adventure or a closeknit community with bigcity access Sanford is a place to grow thrive and call home.

Quick Facts

• Population: 32663
• Median Household Income: $54294
• Median Home Value: $222000
• Median Age: 34.9

All demographic information was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Compensation and Benefits

The expected hiring range is $117325$160000 depending on qualifications with an excellent benefits package. Learn more about our options and employeebased benefits here.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted electronically by Raftelis. Applicants complete a brief online form and are prompted to provide a cover letter and resume. The position will be open until filled with a first review of applications beginning April 3 2025.

Questions

Please direct questions to Anne Lewis at and Kelsey Batt at .

Download the Recruitment Brochure