Senior Engineer

Under general direction, performs complex professional field and office civil engineering work related to the planning, design, construction and maintenance of District projects and infrastructure, and supervises the processing and approval of land development projects; confers with developers, contractors and representatives of other agencies regarding facility and infrastructure development; manages projects utilizing professional services and construction contracts; provides professional assistance to the Engineering Manager, Principal Engineer and other staff; performs a variety of studies and prepares staff reports; signs drawings, submits reports and performs similar work within state guidelines; and performs related work as required.
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general direction from the Engineering Manager. Exercises general and direct supervision over assigned professional and technical staff.
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the professional-level class in the engineering series with supervisory responsibility for private development projects, CIP projects, engineering programs, such as Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG), and Construction Management and Inspection services.  Incumbents perform complex professional and technical work in the preparation of plans, specifications, designs, estimates, schedules, reports, and project management activities for construction or maintenance programs.  This class is distinguished from Principal Engineer by the latter's capability of performing the most complex engineering work of the division.

Examples of Essential Job Functions

The duties listed below are illustrative only and are not meant to be a complete and exhaustive listing of all of the duties and responsibilities of this classification. Management reserves the rights 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.
 

• Plans, manages, integrates and evaluates the work of a unit or project team of professional and technical staff and develops, implements and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives.
• Contributes to the development of and monitors performance against the annual department budget.
• Assists in developing, implementing and evaluating plans, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives, priorities and work standards; assists in the development and implementation of engineering standards.
• Plans, manages, assigns, directs, reviews, and evaluates the work of assigned staff and provides for their training and professional development; establishes performance requirements and professional development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; takes disciplinary action to address performance deficiencies.
• Provides day-to-day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment which supports achieving the department's and the District's mission, strategic plan, objectives and values.
• Manages, develops, and completes projects and programs involving wastewater and water systems.
• Participates in District long- and short-range capital improvement and preventive maintenance activities.
• Examines engineering plans, specifications, design reports, cost estimates and schedules for a variety of construction and maintenance and/or private development projects to ensure compliance with engineering standards and specifications.
• Oversees the Engineering Department's review, processing, and approval of land development projects and applications, including preparation of engineering conditions of approval, plan checking, preparation of development agreements, computation and collection of fees, and coordination of developer reimbursements.
• Manages construction inspections to confirm contractual compliance with engineering and construction standards.
• Provides project management of consultant and in-house staff on capital improvement projects and other special projects; meets and confers with contractors, inspectors, engineers, developers, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public on development issues and acquiring information; ensures contractor compliance with District standards and specifications, time and budget estimates; analyzes and resolves problems that may arise; recommends and approves field changes.
• Manages staff and consultants who prepare punch lists and "record drawings;" and reviews and processes change orders and progress payments with supervisor approval.
• Assists in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, standards and priorities within the Engineering Department.
• Confers with property owners, developers, engineers, inspectors, contractors, architects, and the general public concerning interpretation and application of Engineering Department rules and procedures.
• Prepares materials for presentation to the public, Board of Directors meetings and for various other commissions.
• Researches and interprets applicable regulations relating to project requirements, prepares engineering reports, and project related correspondence.,
• Prepares bid documents for capital improvement projects; submits projects for competitive bids; analyzes bids and makes recommendations for acceptance.
• Assists with the preparation of grants, and other special funding sources, and the implementation and administration of said grants and funding sources, as directed.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations and technology that may affect departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Must be able to respond to emergencies as necessary.
• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to experience, proficiency and complexity of work activities as specified under Class Characteristics.
 
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, procedures, and standards of civil engineering design and construction related to District projects and infrastructure development and maintenance.
• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, project management, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• General design principles and construction techniques for the design and construction of various wastewater and water facilities.
• Various municipal and engineering codes, manuals, and standards as well as Federal and State laws and programs related to the areas of work assignments.
• Principles and practices of project management and evaluation, including goal setting and the development of objectives, work planning and organization.
• Principles and practices of project cost estimation and contract administration.
• Basic supervisory principles and practices.
• Computer applications related to the work, including computer-aided drafting concepts and applications.
• Safety practices related to the work.
• Effective communication skills.
• Basic budgetary principles and practices.
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Principles, theories and practices for effectively representing the District in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, educational and regulatory organizations and with property owners, developers, contractors and the public.
• Principles, theories and practices for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors and District staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Principles, theories and practices for providing a high level of customer service to public and District staff, in person, and over the telephone.
• Principles, theories and practices of Public Health and safety aspects of water use.

 
Ability to:

• Assist with the District's commitment to Public Health.
• Respond to natural, manmade, or war-caused emergencies as a Disaster Service Worker as outlined by California Government Code §3100-3109.
• Supervise, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Make complex engineering computations and check, design and supervise the construction of a wide variety of utility projects.
• Research, design, prepare and evaluate plans and specifications for accuracy and conformance with accepted engineering standards, compliance with appropriate laws, codes, regulations, and community needs.
• Review engineering plans, specifications, designs, cost estimates and schedules for a variety of construction and maintenance projects.
• Manage projects in a public agency setting.
• Conduct complex civil engineering research, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Manage projects and utilize consultants and contractors through Professional Services Agreements and construction contracts, respectively. 
• Effectively represent the department and the District in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, and regulatory organizations and individuals.
• Direct and review the work of support staff on a project or day-to-day basis.
• Instruct staff in work procedures.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials.
• Make effective public presentations and conduct meetings.
• Maintain accurate records and files.
• 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 and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
 
A Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related engineering field.  Ten (10) years of professional experience in design and construction and management of civil engineering projects, including three (3) years supervisory experience.
 
Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and satisfactory driving record.
• Possess and maintain a valid license as a Professional Engineer in the State of California. 

 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to inspect various District infrastructure, development, field operations and work sites, including the ability to climb ladders and stairs; ability to operate a motor vehicle; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone.  This is partially a sedentary office classification; the job also involves field inspection work requiring frequent walking at inspection site areas to monitor performance and to identify problems or hazards; standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter 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.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees partially work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions, and partially in the field and may occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, 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 departmental policies and procedures.
 

Supplemental Information

Candidates are required to attach a copy of their diploma/degree to their application. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed online application. Submitting an incomplete application or partial information may result in removal of your application from consideration in the examination process.  All applications will be reviewed for accuracy, completion, relevant experience, education, training and other job related qualifications. This is a regular, full-time unrepresented position.

Information

• Location: Placentia, United States

Industry experience

Education: Bachelor

Seniority: Expert, Engineer, Consultant

Years of experience: 10 to 20 years

Taxonomy

• Engineering
• Water Resources Engineer
• water engineer
• Principal Process Engineer