Senior Engineer

This position is open until filled. Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the position based on the number of applications received.

The City of Palm Desert provides exemplary and sustainable services, amenities and programs for the benefit of the local and surrounding communities.

When you interact with a City employee, you will find our collaborative, driven and efficient staff working together to provide strategic solutions for the community and each other.

We are a city focused on external and internal customer service and try to find a way to say "yes," while not compromising the City's or our own integrity.

Our efforts are guided by our core values:
Integrity
Stewardship
Service
Community
Innovation
Teamwork
Our employees are passionate about innovation, collaboration and growth, which is supported by the City's Council and Executive Team. We are an environment that thrives on making changes, pivoting quickly, and is full of movers and shakers.

We are constantly striving to improve processes and better our approach so that we can better support the needs of the City.

If you have growth mindset and find change exciting, the City of Palm Desert may be your ideal working environment

THE OPPORTUNITY

The City of Palm Desert is looking for a professional problem solver that understands urgency and the importance of helping both internal and external customers.

The ideal candidate will know and practice exceptional customer service, while providing expert engineer skills to assist in a multitude of projects within a variety of departments.

If you are looking for an opportunity to grow and make an impact in the community, this is the position for you.

Under general direction, performs complex professional field and office engineering services related to Public Works, land development, Capital Improvements, development, traffic and transportation, and other City projects and programs; confers with developers, contractors, internal staff, and representatives of other agencies regarding assigned projects; proactively collaborate and provides assistance to the City departments, and the public in areas of expertise; serve as an internal service provider for City departments and divisions; perform the highest level technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility; provide exceptional customer serve; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the assigned supervisor. May exercise direct supervision of assigned staff.

This is an advanced journey-level in the engineer classification series responsible for providing professional-level support in a variety of areas and expertise such as project management, traffic and transportation, planning and engineering, and land development.

Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized and work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility.

The incumbent organizes and oversees projects and engineering activities, including short- and long-term planning, expansions, and related projects and studies.

Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional engineering background as well as skills in coordinating work with that of other City departments and external agencies.

Interfaces with multiple technical teams and staff throughout the City (Public Works, Development Services, Economic Development, Finance, and City Manager's Office to solve issues and advise in a multitude of projects, including public infrastructure, storm systems, multi-million dollar public improvements, land development, and special projects.

Oversees and manages planning and land development projects through all phases including entitlement, design, construction and implementation, and close-out including defining scope of work and project budgets; serve as project manager or project engineer on assigned projects.

Plans, organizes, directs, and creates the preparation of engineering plans, specifications, designs, cost estimates, and reviews; establishes requirements for various types of development projects, easements, and legal descriptions; reviews plan checks, construction inspections, and materials testing for a wide variety of construction and maintenance projects; performs traffic engineering and transportation planning activities and studies.

Prepares engineering specifications, drawings, sketches, and other supporting documentation; reviews and comments on designs, plans, and other work submitted by external consultants, engineers, contractors, and developers for conformance with professional codes, specifications, and City standards.

Validates and reviews land development projects pertaining to the design, construction, and maintenance of development projects; checks and approves plans for conformance with regulations regarding line, grade, size, elevation, and location of structures; establishes conditions of approval including on-site and off-site improvements and ensuring adequate financial obligations; ensures technical correctness and projects conforming to City standards and outside agency requirements.

Coordinates surveying functions; reviews, approves, and processes land survey documents based on compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures.

Collaborates and confers with developers, engineers, architects, and contractors and other City staff in acquiring information and coordinating engineer matters; provides information regarding City project requirements and City policies, procedures, codes, and ordinances.

Assists customers at the public counter; reviews applications and submittals; recommends modifications or approvals, collect fees and deposit, review cost estimates for bonding purposes and issues permits.

Responds to public inquiries; investigates citizen complaints relating to public works issues; provides staff with recommendations for resolving issues and complaints.

Reviews Environmental Impact reports (EIR) and other California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents related to projects; makes recommendation for conditions based on the impact to the City.

Develops consultant requests for proposal for professional and/or construction services; writes specifications; coordinates the bidding process; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; negotiates and administers contracts after award; ensures contractor compliance with engineering standards, project specifications, and, time and budget estimates; analyzes and resolves complex problems that may arise; recommends and approves field changes as required.

Designs and conducts engineering research projects and studies, analyzes problems, evaluates alternatives, makes sound recommendations, and prepares effective technical staff reports; conducts and reviews mathematical and engineering design computations with precision; checks, designs, and prepares engineering cost analysis; creates preliminary layouts and designs from field and survey data.

Participates in the review and update of engineering standards; reviews industry standards and practices and recommends changes as needed.

Provides highly complex staff assistance to departments; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned projects to various commissions, committees, and boards.

Selects, trains, and evaluates personnel; establishes and monitors employee performance objectives; prepares and present employee performance reviews; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination actions.

Attends and participates in professional group meetings, conferences, and workshops; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering; conduct trainings.

Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and inquiries in a professional manner; researches information; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.

May serve as technical advisor to the City Manager, City Council, and Department Heads on public works engineering matters; conducts special studies and assignments; develops comprehensive recommendations for management consideration.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and City policies and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.

Principles and practices of public administration, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.

The principles, practices, functions, and activities of municipal government administration.

Public agency budget development, contract administration, City-wide administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.

Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs.

Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis, evaluation, development, and implementation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs.

Research methods, techniques, and procedures.
Methods and techniques for the development of reports, presentations, contract negotiations, business correspondence, and information distribution.
Recordkeeping principles and procedures.
Principles and techniques of project management.
Legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct for public sector employees.

Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.

Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to assigned programs, projects, and services.
Modern office practices, procedures, technology, and computer equipment and applications.
English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.

Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.

Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:
Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Effectively represent the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business and professional organizations.

Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls for the department, division and assigned program areas.

Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction to the department and the City.
Prepare and administer budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.

Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.

Accurately assess organizational issues and opportunities and research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Effectively administer a variety of engineering, project management, construction, and administrative activities.
Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.

Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.

Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
Use tact, discretion, and good judgment in the handling of sensitive records and confidential information.
Evaluate programs and services from an operational and productivity standpoint.
Establish and maintain accurate databases, records, and files.

Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.

Use initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Establish and administer safe work practices.
Ensure excellent customer service.
Skillfully and safely operate a motor vehicle when required in the course of performing work duties.
Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including City Manager, management, staff, other government officials, community groups, and the public.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related engineering field and four (4) years of professional and technical engineering design, plan review, and project administration experience, preferably in a public agency setting.

Supervisory experience preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license by time of appointment.
Possession of and maintain a valid certificate or registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California.

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