Senior Engineer

The City of Westminster Public Works Department is currently offering an exciting career opportunity for experienced engineering professionals interested in the position of Senior Engineer.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of engineering staff in one or more functional areas within the Engineering Division; supervises, plans, and coordinates complex professional engineering activities including environmental programs/planning and compliance, design, construction, and land development engineering; manages and oversees the City's NPDES and Flood Management programs; ensures that functions meet all applicable laws, regulations, and City policies; coordinates division activities with other City departments and outside agencies; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Deputy City Engineer and others; and performs related work as required.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Analyzes civil engineering plan design, specifications, consultant, and staff comments in accordance with design requirements and municipal and intergovernmental standards and regulations; recommends approval or additional engineering conditions and changes.
• Performs plan check on construction documents received from consulting firms for both Capital Projects and Land Development projects as needed.
• Meets and confers with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating engineering matters; provides information regarding City development requirements.
• Inspects and verifies work in progress and completed work of assigned employees and contractors for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.
• Provides input in the development and administration of the assigned division's annual budget and the capital improvement budget.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of professional engineering staff in the Engineering Division within the Public Works Department; trains staff in work procedures; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Responds to and resolves various issues with residents, other department representatives, and outside agencies in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Serves as a liaison for an assigned functional area with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings, as necessary; participates on a variety of boards, commissions, committees, and task forces; attends and participates in professional groups; stays abreast of new trends and innovations.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; assists in developing policies and procedures such as procedure guidelines, design standards, and standard plans and specifications while ensuring that operation and maintenance, financial, regulatory, and legal requirements are met.
• Develops and reviews staff reports related to engineering activities and services; may present information to the City Council and various commissions, committees, and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Basic principles and practices of budget development, administration, and accountability.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to the planning, design, cost estimating, construction, installation, and inspection of a wide variety of municipal facilities, miscellaneous buildings and structures, and traffic and transportation systems.
• Civil and transportation engineering principles, concepts, standards, and practices associated with public works programs and private development projects.
• Principles and practices of environmental impact assessment and related regulatory processes.
• Methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of engineering projects, including water and storm water systems, street, and traffic systems design.
• Contract management practices in a public agency setting.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned functional area.
• Safety principles and practices.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• 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:

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Supervise, train, plan, organize, schedule, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Conduct complex civil engineering research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.
• Analyze and interpret engineering plans and specifications in accordance with design requirements and applicable standards and regulations.
• Manage and monitor complex projects on-time and within budget.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, legal descriptions, and other written materials.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, technical written material, and City engineering policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• 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.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

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 five (5) years of responsible experience in civil engineering with emphasis in public works capital improvements with at least one (1) year of supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License by time of appointment.
• Possess and maintain a valid certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California.
• Certification as a Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Developer (QSD) is highly desired.

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures.