Senior Civil Engineer

JOB PURPOSE:

Under general direction from the City Engineer, performs administrative and civil engineering design work related to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the City’s capital improvements and services; performs a variety of public works construction field inspection; maintains accurate records of construction, time, cost and work performed for contractor payment preparation and ensuring compliance with plans and specifications; coordinates and/or inspects public improvements for new land development projects; reviews plans and specifications for land development projects; provides professional assistance to the City Engineer; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; signs drawings, submits reports and performs similar work within state guidelines; performs related work as required; and exercises general and direct supervision over assigned staff. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: 

Disclaimer- This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed.  Other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Manages, develops, and completes a wide variety of engineering projects and programs involving streets, storm drains, transportation and traffic, grading, and sanitary sewer and water systems.
• Coordinates, reviews, and supervises the work of field personnel. 
• Reviews standards, plans, specifications, applicable regulations, and technical constructability issues. 
• Observes work in all stages of progress to ensure conformance with standards, safety and other applicable regulations. 
• Authorizes changes or deviations when consistent with the general intent of the plans or specifications.  
• Coordinates, inspects, reviews, and affirms results of tests on construction materials. 
• Makes recommendations on requested change orders and participates in claims resolution. 
• Inspects utility work done on City property for compliance with City standards. 
• Oversees and performs basic survey work to confirm alignments, grades, etc. 
• Monitors public works construction for regulatory compliance with City, State, and regional regulations.  
• Oversees and performs traffic count work including monitoring of traffic as necessary. 
• Maintains all related records and prepares a variety of inspections, progress, and change reports.
• Prepares progress payment estimates. 
• Advises and confers with members of the general public. 
• Provides lead direction and training to assigned staff. 
• Provides plan review of development projects with emphasis on infrastructure improvements. 
• Coordinates review of infrastructure plans with other disciplines. 
• Reviews easements and legal descriptions. 
• Oversees the filing and cataloging of engineering project files and submittals. 
• Reviews contractor's submittals for projects. 
• Provides technical support and coordination of transportation and traffic related issues with other City Departments, including Police, Fire, and Public Works.
• Prepares and/or supervises the preparation of special studies, projects, and reports with regards to traffic and transportation related issues, development impact fees, and other engineering related matters as directed.
• Makes presentations to the public, City Council, and commissions, as directed.
• Assists with the preparation of grant applications and other special funding sources, and the implementation and administration of said grants, as directed.
• Represents the Engineering Department at various City, County, and State Commissions, boards, committees, and organizations on engineering matters, as directed.
• Prepares contract documents, including plans and specifications, and requests proposals for capital improvement projects; submits projects for competitive bids; analyses bids and makes recommendations for acceptance.
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Knowledge of:

• Computer applications related to the work, including computer-aided drafting concepts and applications.
• Basic budgetary principles and practices.
• Basic supervisory principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering.
• Principles and practices of public works construction and public works construction inspection.
• Materials, equipment, tools, and testing used in public works construction.
• Types of soils, survey methods, general street and building construction, and Portland cement and asphalt concrete construction.
• Construction and maintenance of municipal facilities.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and evaluation. 
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations and codes related to public works design construction and maintenance.
• Safe work practices and procedures. 
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff, in person and over the phone. 

Skilled in:   

• Reading and interpreting construction infrastructure drawings for new developments and provide 

plan review and comments at the professional level. 

• Applying City standards and development standards to review. 
• Using computer-aided drafting hardware and software programs. 
• Performing and/or supervising public works construction inspection work and related testing and survey functions.

Ability to: 

• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 
• Operate modern office equipment, including computers and specialized software application programs.
• Prepare, draft, and interpret construction plans, notes, specifications, legal property descriptions and testing reports. 
• Make complex engineering computations and check, design, and supervise the construction of a wide variety of public works projects.
• Interpret, apply, and explain City policies, procedures, codes, and other complex governmental 

regulations. 

• Establish and maintain accurate records. 
• Prepare accurate reports and estimates. 
• Perform accurate mathematical calculations. 
• Set priorities, meet deadlines, and make decisions. 
• Maintain level of knowledge required for satisfactory job performance. 
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, contractors, architects, 

other engineers, and the public.

• Physically be present at the worksite to ensure proper staffing levels.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates possession of the requisite knowledge, skill and abilities. A typical way to obtain these would be:

• Bachelor’s Degree with major coursework in civil or structural engineering or a related engineering field is required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in design and construction and management of civil engineering projects is required.
• Possession of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer License (PE) issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors is required.
• Maintain a valid California Driver License with a driving record acceptable to the City.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND 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 sit.  The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Drive an automobile. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here 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 regularly works in outdoor conditions. While working indoors, the employee regularly works near video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal to moderate.