Senior Civil Engineer

SOUTH COAST WATER DISTRICT

 

SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER

 

DEFINITION

Under direction, performs complex professional field and office civil engineering work related to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of District capital improvement projects and infrastructure, project management, and processing and approval of land development projects; confers with developers, contractors, and representatives of other agencies regarding facility and infrastructure development; administers professional services and construction contracts; provides professional assistance to the Principal Engineers and Engineering Manager; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; signs drawings, submits reports, and performs similar work within state guidelines; and performs related work as required.

 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from the Engineering Manager. May exercise general and direct supervision over assigned staff.

 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a middle-level class in the professional engineering series with responsibility for specific functional tasks as assigned within the areas of capital improvement design, land development projects, or engineering program responsibilities. Incumbents perform complex professional and technical work in the preparation of plans, specifications, designs, estimates, schedules, inspections, and project management activities for construction or maintenance programs. This class is distinguished from Principal Engineers in that the latter has overall responsibility for an entire System, provides subject matter expert advice for the assigned System, and supervises Senior Civil Engineers.

The incumbent ensures that her/his activities are aligned with and support the South Coast Water District’s policies, mission, vision, core values, core strategies, and annual action items as well as performance measures.

 

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

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

 

·        Manages, develops, and completes a wide variety of engineering projects and programs involving grading and sanitary sewer and water systems, among others, as assigned.

·        Participates in District long- and short-range capital improvement and preventive maintenance activities.

·        Examines public and private engineering plans, subdivision maps, specifications, designs, cost estimates, and legal descriptions for a variety of construction and maintenance and/or private development projects to ensure compliance with engineering standards and specifications.

·        Leads or assists the review, processing, and approval of 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, as assigned.

·        Performs engineering work for complex designs for construction projects.

                                    

·        Performs construction inspections to confirm contractual compliance with engineering and construction standards.

·        Oversees revisions and updates of all water, sewer, and recycled water maps utilizing record drawings on new projects and other sources.

·        Performs project management and administration of consultant and in-house capital improvement and other special projects; meets and confers with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, 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 complex problems that arise; recommends and approves field changes.

·        Prepares punch lists and accurate “record drawings;” inspects for, prepares, and submits supportive data for 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.

·        Participates and/or leads hydraulic modeling of wastewater and recycling system, and/or water system as assigned.

·        Assists in planning, developing, implementing, and maintaining a computerized asset management program, for Water, JRWSS, and/or Wastewater and Recycling Systems, as assigned.

·        Confers with property owners, developers, engineers, contractors, architects, and the general public concerning interpretation and application of Engineering Department rules and procedures.

·        Prepares and maintains Engineering Department records, plans, maps, files, and related materials.

·        Interprets and administers applicable ordinances relating to project requirements, prepares engineering reports, legal descriptions, and project related correspondence; acts as project engineer when dealing with other departments, jurisdictions, and agencies and responds to questions related to projects and engineering policy.

·        Prepares contract specifications and requests for proposals for capital improvement projects; submits projects for competitive bids; analyzes bids and makes recommendations for acceptance.

·        Assists with the preparation of grant applications and other special funding sources; implements and administers grants, as directed.

·        Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and departmental automated and manual files.

·        Manages and/or oversees multiple projects at a time including Capital Improvement and Development Projects.

·        Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.

·        Performs other duties as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

 

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, procedures, and standards of civil engineering design and construction related to District projects and infrastructure development and maintenance.
• General design principles and construction techniques for various utilities projects, such as sewer, water, drainage, and traffic control devices.
• Municipal and engineering codes, manuals, and standards as well as federal, state, and local laws and programs related to the 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 capital improvement cost estimation and contract administration.
• Basic supervisory principles and practices.
• Recent developments, current literature, and informational resources regarding municipal development and capital improvement projects.
• 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 of business letter writing and technical report preparation.
• Techniques 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.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors and District staff, in person, and over the telephone.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and District staff, in person, and over the telephone.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

 

Ability to:

• Make engineering computations.
• Check, design, and supervise the construction of a wide variety of utility projects.
• Research, design, prepare, and evaluate plans, subdivision maps, and specifications for accuracy and conformance with accepted engineering standards, compliance with appropriate laws, codes, regulations, and community needs.
• Examine public and private engineering plans, specifications, designs, cost estimates, and legal descriptions for a variety of construction and maintenance projects.
• Develop and administer contracts for professional services and construction in a public agency setting.
• Conduct civil engineering research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Manage capital improvement projects.
• Oversee contracts for services.
• Conduct and manage environmental studies. 
• Interpret, apply, and explain complex laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• 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 technical 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.
• 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.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

 

Five (5) years of professional experience in design, construction, and management of civil engineering projects. Significant experience with Architect-Engineer and/or Construction contracts is desirable.

 

Training:

 

Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field. A Master’s degree in civil engineering or a related field is desirable.

 

License or Certificate:

 

• Valid California class C driver’s license with satisfactory driving record.
• Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer from the State of California. 
• Possession of a Certification in Project Management from the PMI or equivalent is desirable.

 

ABILITIES

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

LANGUAGE AND INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION ABILITY:

Must possess the ability to speak, read, and write English. Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of office, management, and field employees. Represent District in a professional manner when dealing with outside vendors, board members, the public, or with other District personnel. Ability to explain, demonstrate, and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures, and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple and difficult requests from others.

 

JUDGMENT AND SITUATIONAL REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. Ability to remain calm in crisis and emergency situations. Ability to use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive information.

 

TECHNOLOGY ABILITY:

Computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) of a skill level sufficient to perform the job duties noted.

 

MENTAL ABILITY:

Must be able to work under pressure with frequent interruptions while communicating and interacting with a variety of District personnel, the public, and others encountered in the course of work. The ability to explain, interpret, and apply related rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; work on multiple concurrent assignments, often within tight timeframes using sound business judgment is necessary.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to inspect District development sites, to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various District and meeting sites. 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.

 

VISION:

See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.

HEARING: 

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction; hearing and speech abilities to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. 

 

The specific statements shown in each section of this classification description are not intended to be all inclusive. They represent the essential functions and minimum qualifications necessary to successfully perform the assigned functions. 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.