Engineering Associate; Internship

The purpose of this classification is to provide routine engineering and technical support to an assigned City department, which may involve researching and collecting engineering data, conducting field visits and surveying property, creating draft construction plans using computer aided design (CAD) software, assisting with the preparation of engineering designs or performing other engineering-related tasks. Student interns are required to average 20 hours per week as outlined by their institution for credit hours and, under strict supervision, will assist with the following duties and responsibilities.

• Collect and compile data relating to department operations and activities; conduct studies; assist in analyzing data and identifying trends; conduct research of department files, property and legal records, database records, electronic data sources, Internet sites, hard copy materials, or other sources as needed; accumulate and implement field data.
• Create and maintain computer databases of department data; maintain spreadsheets of statistical data; enter operational data, field data, measurements, specifications, and other data into computer systems; document and maintain records, databases, and logs of work orders, inspections, compliance/violations, conditions, and maintain and update computer inventory records of as-built drawings and maps of public infrastructure.
• Prepare technical engineering reports, studies, bid specifications, or other documents; provide reports or data to department management, consultants, outside agencies or others as appropriate.
• Provide support for engineering operations and activities in the field: review and inspect work performed by construction crews and outside contractors; spot-check jobs for quality and quantity of engineering and construction work; enforce departmental policies and procedures; monitor and endorse applicable safety procedures; conduct field inspections of infrastructure and other sites; survey and stake jobs for utility crews; utilize global positioning unit to collect data;
  
  take photographs and measurements of field conditions.
• Enforce and implement applicable environmental regulations such as NPDES storm water regulations, Industrial Pretreatment Compliance for sewer, Erosion & Sedimentation Control, and related ordinances; conduct field inspections of infrastructure, sampling sites, construction sites, grease traps, discharge sites and overflows; collect and analyze water and wastewater samples; monitor and maintain sampling equipment; identify violations or problem locations and initiate corrective action; complete regulatory reports as required.
• Conduct preliminary review of plans submitted to the City; participate in review of construction and development plans; check for conformance to regulatory requirements and standard design principles; perform calculations (elevations, slopes, etc.) to determine compliance to regulations; identify and document deficiencies; prepare preliminary approval letters for new projects; confer with contractors to make design modifications necessary to conform with regulatory and project requirements;
  
  make a staff recommendation regarding approval of the plans as appropriate.
• Assist engineering staff in the planning, development, and design of capital improvement projects; prepare preliminary plans and designs using CAD and other engineering/drafting tools; develop engineering specifications for project construction based on programming assessment, design concepts, fundamental engineering principles, and approved preliminary plan; calculate cost estimates and identify resources needed for projects; order materials for projects; produce graphic materials relating to department projects for display or presentation at meetings;
  
  provide technical assistance to project managers and contract officers throughout the project.
• Conduct engineering tasks related to traffic engineering; conduct traffic counts and assist with preparation of traffic engineering studies; review crash reports, traffic count reports, and other data to compile reports for use by engineers, consultants, and others in planning traffic signal improvements, roadway improvements, law enforcement assignments, future development, or other actions; maintain and update computer inventory records of the City road system, including signs, signals, and streetlights;
  
  review bridge inspection files and request identification numbers as required by state.
• Provide information and assistance related to department activities, data, procedures, documentation, or other issues; review requests for department services and take appropriate action; respond to routine questions, research questions/problems, and initiate problem resolution.
• Prepare or complete various forms, reports, correspondence, statistical data, field data, statistical reports, technical engineering reports, engineering designs, construction plans, sketches, drawings, bid specifications, charts,…