North Texas Water Practice Manager - K Friese + Associates

K Friese + Associates, LLC (KFA), a Lochner Company, is a leading provider of professional services in water, wastewater, drainage, transportation, and development reviews for public agencies. Our staff includes licensed civil engineers, certified transportation planners, project/construction managers, and construction inspectors.

In May 2023, KFA joined Lochner, a national transportation infrastructure firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, providing planning, environmental, design, construction engineering and inspection, and right-of-way services for surface transportation, rail, transit, and aviation clients. Together, we have more resources and capabilities for delivering innovative solutions and enhancing the quality of life in the communities we serve.

• Client-Focused: We are collaborative and attentive to the unique needs and goals of each project.
• Performance-Driven: We are problem solvers dedicated to transforming transportation infrastructure challenges into opportunities for innovation.
• Community-Minded: We are vested in the work we do as stewards of public funds used to improve the communities we serve.
• Socially Responsible: We give back to our communities by supporting various charitable organizations and causes.
• Growth Oriented: We invest in programs to attract, retain, and develop employees so KFA becomes a long-term home for top talent.

THE OPPORTUNITY

KFA is expanding into the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and is looking for an experienced and motivated candidate to lead that effort. Using your relationships and local knowledge, you will provide key leadership in growing the company in North Texas.

As our North Texas Water Practice Manager, you will focus on building and leading a team to develop, sustain, and grow our business in north Texas, with an emphasis on our Water practice. Your primary role is to grow and develop relationships with key clients to build and grow KFA's market presence. Secondarily, the successful candidate would lead project teams in delivering high quality designs as a group manager. This position reports directly to the Water Business Practice Lead/Vice President.

The primary responsibilities include:

• Developing, maintaining, and implementing a strategic, business development, and operational plan for the Water Practice in North Texas
  • Identifies new clients throughout North Texas and the work needed to earn their business and maintain them as clients.
• Stewards the development of strategic clients and leads strategic sales efforts in north Texas.
  • Benchmarks competition to continuously improve Business Development practices.
  • Identifies innovative approaches to increase market or geographic share.
• Supports community and business organizational involvement within the market or geography.
  • Attends and/or organizes staff to attend industry events representing KFA.
  • Attends and/or organizes staff to attend governmental meetings (City Council, W/WW Commission, etc.) representing KFA.
• Works with Water Practice Lead to identify and build winning teams for pursuits.
• Working with Business Practice Leaders and Managers within the company to identify opportunities for cross-selling design of streets, drainage, transportation facilities and other public works projects.
• Ensures client satisfaction.
  • Regularly meets with existing clients to receive feedback and input on KFA performance. Implements corrective actions where appropriate.
• Managing the water practice staff responsible for feasibility, design and construction administration of water, wastewater, reclaimed water facility and pipeline projects.
  • Hiring, mentoring, and directing staff.
  • Prioritizes project assignments and staffing to meet schedules amongst group members.
  • Applies quality management processes.
  • Assists team with resolving complex problems (conflicting or ambiguous requirements, challenging coordination issues, etc).
  • Manages/serves as a technical resource for complex project deliverables.
  • Sets goals, monitors work, and evaluates results to ensure firm objectives are met.
  • Identifies and resolves risk management issues.
  • Function as the project manager for complex projects.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering
• 20 or more years of experience with the past 5-years in North Texas
• Proven business development and client maintenance success in North Texas
• Texas PE
• Experience managing an office or division
• Experience in complex water/wastewater facility and/or pipeline engineering, business development, and strategic planning
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required to build relationships with clients and team members

ABOUT US

KFA is a rapidly growing, civil engineering consulting firm that focuses exclusively on serving public sector clients. With offices in Austin, Round Rock, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; we provide opportunities in the fields of water, wastewater, transportation, drainage, and planning. Our team is driven by challenging and sophisticated work that helps them stretch and expand their capabilities.

At KFA, we foster an environment that cultivates teamwork, collaborative thought and high-quality, client-centered solutions. Our professionals are dedicated to our client's vision and understanding their real challenges through a partnership.

What else sets us apart?

• We focus solely on serving public sector clients to efficiently deliver high quality solutions.
• We seek challenging projects, for which we routinely provide significant value.
• We actively foster an environment of teamwork, collaboration, and innovation, while staying connected in today's semi-virtual environment.

At KFA we are focused on giving back to the community - not only through our work, but also by supporting local charitable organizations throughout the year. We are also the proud recipients of several awards and recognitions that illustrate our commitment to our clients, community, and our profession, including:

• 2023 Engineering Excellence Award, Water/Wastewater Category Silver Medal Winner | ACEC Texas
• 2022 Public Works Project of the Year Award, Emergency Repair Category | APWA Texas Chapter
• 2020 Engineering Excellence Award, Water Resources Category Silver Medal Winner | ACEC Texas
• 2018 Women-Owned Business of the Year Award | North San Antonio Chamber, Small Business Leaders Award
• 2017 Employer of the Year Award | Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS), Heart of Texas Chapter

THE BENEFITS

Lochner provides a comprehensive total rewards package that includes:

• Competitive Premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program
• Company Paid Disability (includes paid Maternity Leave), and Life Insurance
• Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with Employer Contribution
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical Expenses and/or Dependent Care
• Paid Family Leave
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid or Remote, when possible)
• Wellness Program for Physical and Mental Health
• Lochner Cares Non-Profit 501c3
• Education and Training Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Paid Time Off for Charitable Acts of Service

Additional Information

Effective January 1, 2024, Background Checks and Other Disclosures notices will apply to all KFA jobs and job postings as follows:

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements 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. Intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stoop, crawl, and lifting. The employee must frequently lift and/or move light equipment up to 20 pounds. Must be alert to equipment in the field, occasional need to work near hazardous equipment and machinery, occasional need to walk on uneven ground, exposure to dust, gas or fumes, exposure to noise, extremes in temperature or humidity, and potential work at heights.

Equal Employer

Lochner is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. Lochner provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

All positions at Lochner require an applicant who has accepted an employment offer to undergo a background check. Background checks include SSN/SIN validation, motor vehicle verification, education verification, employment verification, a criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, and drug test. All employment offers are contingent upon successful results of the background check.