Engineering Associate; Internship

The Position

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 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.

Under strict supervision, student interns will assist with the following duties and responsibilities:
Collects and compiles data relating to department operations and activities; conducts studies; assists in analyzing data and identifying trends; conducts research of department files, property and legal records, database records, electronic data sources, Internet sites, hard copy materials, or other sources as needed; and accumulates and implements field data. Creates and maintains computer databases of department data; maintains spreadsheets of statistical data;

enters operational data, field data, measurements, specifications, and other data into computer; documents and maintains records, databases and logs of work orders, inspections, compliance / violations, conditions, etc.; maintains and updates computer inventory records of the as-built drawings and maps of public infrastructure. Prepares technical engineering reports, studies, bid specifications, or other documents; provides reports or data to department management, consultants, outside agencies or others as appropriate.

Provides support for engineering operations and activities in the field: reviews and inspects work performed by construction crews and outside contractors; spot checks jobs for quality and quantity of engineering and construction work; enforces departmental policies and procedures; monitors and endorses applicable safety procedures; conducts field inspections of infrastructure and other sites; surveys and stakes jobs for utility crews and utilizes global position unit to collect data;

takes photographs and measurements of field conditions. Enforces and implements applicable environmental regulations such as NPDES storm water regulations, Industrial Pretreatment Compliance for sewer, Erosion & Sedimentation Control, and related ordinances: conducts field inspections of infrastructure, sampling sites, construction sites, grease traps, and discharge sites and overflows; collects and analyzes water and wastewater samples; monitors and maintains sampling equipment; identifies violations or problem locations and initiates corrective action;

and completes regulatory reports as required. Conducts preliminary review of plans submitted to the City in support of Engineering staff: participates in review of construction and development plans; checks for conformance to regulatory requirements and standard design principles; performs calculations (e.g. elevations, slopes, etc.) to determine compliance to regulations; identifies and documents deficiencies; prepares preliminary approval letters for new projects;

confers with contractors to make design modifications necessary to conform with regulatory and project requirements; and makes a staff recommendation regarding approval of the plans as appropriate. Assists engineering staff in the planning, development, and design of capital improvement projects for more routine infrastructure projects: prepares preliminary plans and designs using CAD and other engineering/drafting tools; develops engineering specifications for project construction based on programming assessment, design concepts, fundamental engineering principles, and approved preliminary plan;

calculates cost estimates and identifies resources needed for projects; orders materials to be use for projects; produces graphic materials relating to department projects for display or presentation at meetings; and provides technical assistance to project managers and contracts officers throughout the project. Conducts engineering tasks relating to traffic engineering: conducts traffic counts and assists with preparation of traffic engineering studies;

reviews 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; maintains and updates computer inventory records of the City road system, including signs, signals, and streetlights; reviews bridge inspection files and requests identifying numbers as required by state.

Provides information and assistance related to department activities, data, procedures, documentation, or other issues; reviews requests for department services and takes appropriate action; responds to routine questions, researches questions/problems, and initiates problem resolution. Prepares or completes various…