Associate Engineer

Overview

DEFINITION
:
Under general supervision, to perform a variety of professional civil engineering/land surveying work in the field and in the office; to prepare plans, designs, and specifications for projects; to review work prepared by outside consultants; to perform construction inspections; to prepare a variety of reports; and to do related work as required.

• Designs, prepares, and evaluates preliminary and final plans and specifications for road, bridge, drainage, and related public works projects, requiring professional engineering expertise.
• Learns to perform a variety of project development and coordination assignments; may perform resident engineering work, including contract administration, inspection, and coordination.
• Ensures contractors meet proper standards, specifications, cost control, and time requirements; approves change orders and progress payments.
• Performs foundation and hydrology studies; receives and researches inquiries; collects, organizes, summarizes, and analyzes technical engineering/land surveying data.
• Performs checking of survey, parcel, and final maps for compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, and established survey practices.
• Learns to prepare grant proposals; assists with the review of environmental impact reports; prepares preliminary reports for tentative subdivision map conditions.
• Performs field surveys; uses computer to reduce survey data; prepares a variety of engineering calculations; develops data for right-of-way acquisition; prepares cost estimates.
• Reviews laboratory analyses and materials reports for compliance; performs traffic studies; develops and proposes solutions to engineering problems.
• Receives applications and reviews, approves, and issues permits; provides technical engineering advice to the public and other agencies.
• Develops and administers storm water pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and obtains water quality permits; prepares floodplain determinations; performs airport administration.
• May supervise field and office land surveying activities; may serve on the County Technical Advisory Committee; may provide work direction for sub-professional and paraprofessional engineering staff; provides training for support staff.
• Represents the County Public Works Agency in meetings with contractors, engineers, developers, property owners, attorneys, and representatives of other public agencies; maintains confidentiality.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods of Civil Engineering and land surveying as applied to design, acquisition, construction, and maintenance of roads and Public Works facilities.
• Construction methods, materials, and equipment.
• Proper inspection methods and procedures.
• Research and statistical methods.
• Principles of project development and coordination.
• Use of computers and computer applications related to engineering/surveying work.
• AutoCAD program and applications.
• Arc Map GIS program and applications.
• Floodplain Management (Certified Floodplain Manager - CFM).
• Stormwater Quality (Qualified SWPPP Developer/Practitioner – QSD/QSP).

• Ability and willingness to:
  • Prepare plans, designs, and specifications for public works facility development, construction, and maintenance projects.
  • Learn, interpret, and apply laws, rules, and regulations related to public works engineering.
  • Perform engineering reviews of designs, plans, and specifications prepared by others.
  • Develop and coordinate assigned projects.
  • Prepare comprehensive engineering reports.
  • Analyze and evaluate engineering and statistical data and information, developing sound recommendations.
  • Develop accurate records, sketches, and notes.
  • Perform construction and project administration, ensuring compliance with contracts, plans, and specifications.
  • Make accurate engineering and surveying calculations.
  • Operate a computer and use appropriate software in the performance of public works engineering and surveying responsibilities.
  • Effectively represent the County Public Works Department.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
  • Maintain confidentiality.

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

• Two (2) years of increasingly responsible technical engineering experience in public works engineering at a level equivalent to an Engineering Technician.
• AND
• Possession of a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering or related field.

Possession of a driver’s license valid in California.

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; ability to walk on slippery and uneven terrain; sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate office and field engineering equipment; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of audio-visual equipment; use of office equipment including computers, telephones,…