Senior Civil Engineer

Responsibilities for this position may include traffic and transportation engineering, development review, and development and management of public works projects.

DEFINITION

Under minimal supervision within a framework of general guidelines, to plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of an engineering division in the Public Works and Utilities or Community Development Departments; to perform a wide variety of the most difficult and complex engineering assignments; to assign, coordinate, supervise and formally evaluate the work of others.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This job class functions at the full supervisory level of classification and requires thorough knowledge of civil engineering practices and methods as well as specialized knowledge related to public works project design, private development projects, and water and wastewater.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives supervision from the assigned Department Head. Exercises supervision over assigned staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES - 

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Plans and administers assigned engineering division operations and activities

• Directs, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of subordinate engineering and/or technical support assistants engaged in the plan checking and review of development projects, the preparation of designs, specifications, estimates, and technical reports related to the construction of public works projects or water systems

• Performs the most difficult and complex professional engineering assignments in the design and construction of public works and utility projects; resolves a variety of complex engineering problems involving public or private development projects

• Ensures the proper inspection of work in progress and administration of contracts

• Coordinates the activities of the assigned engineering division within the department and with other City departments, engineers, developers, government agencies, and contractors

• Represents the department before various agencies, groups, the media, and the general public; provides information and handles public questions and complaints

• Prepares specialized technical studies, investigations, and a variety of reports and documents related to division activities and operations as required by laws and regulations

• Reviews and evaluates private improvement plans for compatibility with and impact on City public works infrastructure

• Review reports and check plans for conformance with design standards, codes, regulations, and traffic-related improvements

• Performs engineering review of complex development projects

• Investigate field conditions affecting property owners, contractors, and maintenance operations

• Reviews and coordinates approval of Subdivision Tentative Map, Final Map, and construction improvement plans

• Reviews and inspects grading and drainage plans and site development

• Reviews and prepares easements, right-of-way documents, grant deeds, and certificates of

compliance

• Reviews lot line adjustments and lot mergers

• Prepares written and oral staff reports

• Attends Planning Commission meetings and City Council meetings as needed

• Maintains and improves the City’s engineering records and development project engineering files

• Issues encroachment permits, on-site grading and drainage permits, and Flood Certificates

• Assists in the analysis and correction of traffic and parking concerns

• Manages workflow to ensure timely and accurate review of development plans and specifications

• Prepares and reviews construction bid packages; reviews bids and makes recommendations; reviews contract change proposals

• Reviews and directs the work of consulting engineers and surveyors; ensures conformance with City and state requirements

• Attends various meetings as a representative of the Public Works and Utilities or Community Development Departments

• Communicates orally with others, both face to face and using the telephone, in order to respond to inquiries and complaints from customers and when conducting project-related public education activities

• Reads and interprets construction drawings, such as improvement plans, maps and/or blueprints

• Sits or stands for extended periods of time with the ability to move about at will

• Reviews and/or checks the work products of others when preparing, reviewing, checking and interpreting plans and/or construction drawings

• Uses a terminal or personal computer keyboard, which requires repetitive arm/hand movement, to prepare written materials such as construction specifications, engineering reports, e-mail messages, City Council packages and other correspondence, and when performing design functions using AutoCAD

• Communicates orally in a group setting while conducting project-related public meetings and making presentations to the City Council or other groups

• Walks over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces when investigating field conditions, performing field inspections, and/or collecting field samples for testing

• Uses fine hand manipulation to calibrate instruments to measure distances for plans and/or maps

• Prepares charts, graphs, maps or similar objects when preparing schedules or sketching details for customers

• Observes or monitors data to comply with design, construction and safety standards, as when reviewing engineering calculations for compliance with standard practice or when reviewing technical reports on hazardous materials sites

• Estimates labor or material costs from work plans in order to prepare design and construction cost estimates and/or to prepare budgets

• Hears and responds to vehicle backup alarms on construction sites

• Observes or monitors objects or people to ensure compliance with safety standards, such as when checking trench shoring and use of vests and hardhats

• Works in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements

• Distinguishes colors when preparing and/or reading maps with colors as the legend and when reviewing AutoCAD drawings

• Climbs ladders or steps, uses stomach and lower back muscles to support the body and

coordinate the movement of more than one limb simultaneously when conducting field investigations or inspections

• Drives an automobile or van

• Sits at a desk or in meetings for prolonged periods

• Works indoors using near vision for prolonged periods

• Performs related duties similar to the above in scope and function as required.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

• principles and practices of civil engineering applicable to the planning, design, and construction of a wide variety of public works and utilities and private development projects including traffic and transportation

• mathematics, design methods, uses and strengths of construction materials, standard

specifications, effects of soil conditions, and pertinent laws and regulations related to the design and construction of City facilities and public works projects

• cost estimating and contract administration

• principles and practices of surveying and construction inspection, including applicable laws and safety requirements

• technical report writing

• principles and techniques of supervision including staffing, employee development, and planning and organizing work

• California Subdivision Map Act Law

• California Drainage Law

• GIS technology and its applications

• FEMA Flood Insurance regulations

Ability to:

• plan, organize, and supervise the work of professional engineering and technical assistance staff

• direct the preparation and prepare engineering estimates, plans, designs, and specifications for proposed public works and utilities projects

• solve the most complex engineering problems utilizing a variety of engineering techniques

• conduct technical engineering research work

• perform construction inspection as a resident engineer

• prepare comprehensive technical reports and recommendations

• deal tactfully and courteously with the public, contractors, and representatives of other agencies in providing professional engineering assistance and information

• effectively and tactfully communicate in both oral and written forms

• prepare and maintain organized files

• be self-motivated, flexible, and diversified, willing to undertake a variety of tasks in a dynamic and challenging work environment

• analyze and critique engineering studies, traffic analyses, and other technical information submitted with development applications

• establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties

Special abilities:

• must be a goal-oriented professional who is a team player

• must be familiar with IBM-based personal computer programs and their usage

Possession of:

• a Class C California driver’s license, including a safe driving record

• a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State Board of Registration for Civil Engineers

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required

knowledge and ability is qualifying.

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and ability would be:

• Four (4) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering experience in

the design and construction of municipal public works projects, preferably

including some lead or supervisory experience.

The candidate selected will be appointed for a 12-month probationary period. Names of successful candidates who do not receive a job offer will be placed on an employment list that normally remains effective for one year. The Human Resources Department may abolish an Employment list at any time the needs of the City so require. This position is represented by the Mid Management bargaining group.
 
Prior to appointment to the position of Senior Civil Engineer, a medical examination and Department of Justice Livescan fingerprinting will be required.
 
The City of Watsonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages workplace diversity. The City of Watsonville is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by including people with disabilities in all of its programs and activities. #J-18808-Ljbffr

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