Planning Engineer

About the position

Are you passionate about making a tangible impact on your community? Do you excel at turning complex data into actionable strategies? At Lehigh County Authority in Allentown, PA, we have a new opportunity for a skilled Water/Wastewater Planning Engineer to drive our mission forward. Handling long-term water/wastewater facility planning, resource development, and stakeholder management, your work will be vital in supporting LCA's goals in various areas, including operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, strategic planning, data/knowledge management, project delivery, asset management, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead Compliance Efforts: Work closely with municipal leaders and internal teams to ensure we're meeting all environmental and regulatory standards
• Coordinate and Collaborate: Act as the bridge between departments and regulatory agencies to ensure seamless project execution
• Strategic Management: Oversee water supply studies, including capacity planning, modeling, and optimization
• Economic and Trend Analysis: Develop systems to monitor economic growth and analyze trends, lead regional or local Act 537 planning efforts, and conduct key engineering studies.
• Technical Expertise: Serve as a go-to resource for water and wastewater system planning, and engage stakeholders to build support for new facilities
• Leadership: Mentor and manage a team, making key decisions on hiring, training, and performance evaluations

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, related technical field, or professional engineering (PE) license
• 5+ years of water/wastewater utility, municipal, or private consulting engineering experience
• Proven experience in asset management planning, water and sewer system master planning, and energy efficiency studies
• Proficient in hydraulic modeling for distribution systems or similar water/sewer system design work
• Deep understanding of local, state, and federal regulations, including the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, and PA-specific regulations like Act 537 and municipal planning codes
• Exceptional record-keeping and report-writing skills

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to mentor staff, tackle major utility planning issues, and create comprehensive reports
• Strong interpersonal skills for maintaining productive relationships both internally and externally
• Effective in planning, assigning tasks, training, and evaluating team members
• Capable of making informed decisions and managing administrative responsibilities independently
• Clear and concise communicator, both verbally and in writing

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: $80,000 - $85,000/yr. range
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Enjoy peace of mind with coverage for you and your eligible dependents, all at affordable employee contribution rates
• Generous Paid Time Off: We believe in a healthy work-life balance, offering you ample vacation days, excused absences, personal days, and holidays to recharge and spend quality time doing the things you enjoy
• Comprehensive Insurance: LCA provides company-paid life insurance, long-term disability, and short-term disability coverage to support you in unexpected situations
• Retirement Plans: Secure your future with eligibility for two retirement plans - the Pennsylvania Municipal Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and a 457 plan through Empower