Senior Engineer II
Position Purpose
This is an advanced-level senior engineering position with an active registration as a Professional Engineer with the state of Washington. The incumbent will ensure work quality and adherence to professional engineering standards, serve as a professional resource in resolving changes to design and other related issues, investigate construction issues relative to quality and provide recommended corrective actions. The incumbent will be part of a collaborative work team and be responsive to inquiries from the general public, contractors, consultants, engineering professionals, and staff regarding engineering information.
Work is characterized by professional engineering level analysis and review of project plans, design, and implementation. Responsibilities involve engineering design and review, project development and management, review of developer and site plans, and other functions as assigned. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, preparing engineering plans/specifications for utility improvements, Request For Proposals (RFPs), and Request For Qualifications (RFQs); reviewing both private and city construction plans and specifications; overseeing engineering projects; serving as project manager to consultants and/or contractors; performing construction inspection as necessary; providing engineering and technical expertise; performing supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the city's policies, procedures, and applicable laws; performing expenditure tracking for assigned budget sections; and representing the city at assigned regional committees.
Work is performed with limited supervision. The director sets the overall objectives and resources available. The incumbent and the director work together to develop deadlines, projects, and determine work to be completed. The incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignments, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work with others, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives and professional judgement. The incumbent keeps the director informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Oversee and/or perform the review of complex civil engineering designs, plans, specifications, and cost estimates; coordinate and review the work of consultants for projects.
- Oversee engineering projects; perform quality control; monitor project budget and expenditures; write project change orders; consult with others to establish project punch lists as required for project completion; recommend project completion and acceptance by the city.
- Perform technical review of engineering project plans and specifications for the city's capital projects and private improvements submitted to the city as part of development processes. Recommend changes, comments, or corrections as it relates to the needs and interests of the city in terms of maintenance support of the proposed projects or improvements and in terms of compliance with city's construction standards.
- Prepare detailed engineering, pre-design, and final design reports.
- Oversee consultants contracted to perform engineering projects; perform research and provide engineering data, calculation, and information to consultants; answer consultants' questions; conduct onsite visits with consultants; work with management and consultants to prioritize and implement project corrective measures; communicate priorities with consultants; develop and manage consultant contracts for engineering services; and participate in the consultant selection.
- Analyze and review engineering project requirements, physical location, and other pertinent data to prepare scope of work, engineer's cost estimates, RFPs, RFQs, etc.
- Create and produce effective grant requests.
- Communicate in person, in writing, and on the telephone with city personnel, consultants, developers, contractors, other agencies, property owners, and the public to exchange information, resolve concerns, issues, and complaints as necessary; and provide technical information related to codes, ordinances, regulations, policies, and projects.
- Serve as the city representative at various technical committees, study groups, meetings and taskforces as assigned; develop and deliver oral presentations.
- Maintain related data and records and prepare comprehensive plans and reports conforming to related federal, state, and city regulations.
- Visit construction sites to inspect work progress and compliance with approved plans and specifications.
- Provide engineering and technical expertise to city staff and the public; provide storm/water/utilities/pavement engineering expertise to city design projects.
- Provide research, information, and assistance to the director in the development and management of assigned budget sections; monitor purchasing, procurement, and usage of funds as it relates to the assigned budget's activities.
- Perform supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the city's policies and procedures and applicable laws. Responsibilities include: planning, scheduling, coordinating, assisting with, directing and evaluating work in progress and upon completion; appraising performance and safety procedures; training employees to improve their skill and effectiveness; addressing complaints and resolving problems; reviewing/scheduling employee leave; assisting in interviews; making hiring recommendations, and recommending promotion and disciplinary actions to the department director.
- Evening or variable hours to attend meetings will be required.
Peripheral Duties:
- Perform the duties of subordinate personnel as needed.
- Provide coverage for daily operations for the Public Works Director when that position is absent.
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
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 use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk; and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit for extended periods of time and type on a keyboard for extended periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
Work is usually performed in an indoor office environment, subject to driving to offsite locations to review/inspect progress of assigned projects or to investigate complaints. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, noxious odors, uneven terrain, different heights and depths of surfaces, vehicle traffic, and individuals who are irate or hostile. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate in the office and loud to very loud in the field.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited educational institution;
Experience: Four (4) years of progressively responsible civil engineering design and construction experience in a municipal, state, or related environment that includes two (2) years of supervisory experience;
Or: Any combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job, may be substituted for these qualifications. Examples of these skills include:
Knowledge of:
- Principles, practices, methods, and standards of civil engineering including the design and construction of public works projects.
- Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures related to water, wastewater and sanitary sewer systems, streets and other assigned areas.
- State and federal funding procedures for public works projects.
- Modern engineering methods as applied to the design, project management and construction of public works, public utilities, transportation, storm water management and general construction.
- Construction contract administration principles and practices.
- Mathematics and formulas for civil engineering computations.
- Structure, organization and interrelationships of city departments, agencies and related governmental agencies and offices affecting assigned functions.
- Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
- Effective oral and written communication principles and practices to include public relations, public speaking and professional business letter writing.
- Administrative program/project management techniques and principles.
- Contract negotiation and administration.
- Research methods and report preparation and presentation.
- Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as: word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
- Principles and practices of governmental budget preparation and administration.
- Supervisory and training principles, methods, best management practices and techniques.
Ability to:
- Maintain regular, predictable and reliable attendance during scheduled hours.
- Participate as a contributing member of a service-oriented team.
- Develop, monitor and manage capital improvement projects.
- Develop, coordinating and maintaining documentation standards and practices, reporting and tracking procedures and administrative activities.
- Organize work for maximum efficiency.
- Develop and administer consultant contracts as necessary.
- Plan and implement long-term strategies, including capital construction project planning and oversight.
- Utilize personal computer software programs and other relevant software affecting assigned work and in compiling and preparing spreadsheets.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
- Demonstrate positive and effective interaction and communication with individuals of diverse social and economic backgrounds.
- Analyze situations accurately and adopting an effective course of action.
- Maintain confidentiality and communicate with tact and diplomacy.
- Apply program/project management techniques and principles.
- Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, including the ability to listen effectively and to explain complex issues and applicable legal requirements, policies, and procedures to internal and external customers.
- Delegate tasks and workload assignments.
Licenses, Certifications and Other Requirements:
- Valid State of Washington Driver's License; and a driving record which meets the city's requirements
- Current Washington State Professional Civil Engineer (PE) license
- Completion of position-relevant background check