Senior Civil Engineer

Position: SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER
Forest Preserve District of Cook County

Job Summary

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Civil Engineer, performs professional engineering work in the planning, design and construction of various infrastructure and site improvements. Serve as program manager for the preparation of engineering plans, specifications, and bid documents to support the implementation of the District's Capital Improvement Plan. Coordinates with program team, government agencies, residents, businesses, and consultants to achieve program goals.

Oversees the work of and provides technical assistance and direction to junior engineering staff. Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Duties

Prepares and/or reviews engineering plans, specifications, estimates, and schedules for construction and renovation projects including Forest Preserve (District) access roadways, parking lots, paved and unpaved trails, underground utilities, bridges, dams, and culverts, canoe, and kayak launches, erosion and sediment control, storm water management systems, and other site amenities and infrastructure.

Conducts field inspections to collect information about site conditions including, but not limited to, topography, drainage, soils, vegetation, and existing infrastructure, and uses the information to propose scopes of work for improvement projects.

Prepares bid documentation, assembles bid packages, obtains bids, serves on panels to evaluate bids, and recommends award of contract to a specific bidder.

Conducts construction observation and inspections to monitor progress and ensures conformance to design specifications, including measurement and documentation of pay items for payments to contractors.

Prepares permit submittals required for project implementation.

Assists the work of District staff in various departments by clarifying technical issues, policies, procedures, or standards related to trail planning, pavement conditions assessments, pavement patching and crack-sealing, trail user data and other alternative transportation topics.

Supports and assists in prioritizing work of in-house Landscape Maintenance pavement patching crews.

Prepares annual budget projections and reports.

Reviews and approves invoices for payment to consultants and contractors.

Prepares exhibits and budgets to support grant applications.

Oversees the work of junior engineering staff and provides constructive feedback and technical knowledge.

Represents the District at various intergovernmental and technical committees related to trail planning, pavement reduction and related issues.

Maintains current knowledge of trends in the field by reading appropriate journals, books and other literature and attending related seminars, and the like, and informs and advises other staff as to new developments.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or environmental engineering AND at least 4 years of full-time work experience as a civil engineer OR a master's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or environmental engineering AND at least 3 years of full-time work experience as a civil engineer.

Must be registered as a Professional Engineer.

Must be willing to obtain registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois prior to date of hire with the District.

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

Possess at least 1 year of full-time work experience using AutoCAD or similar computer-aided drafting and design software, OR at least 1 season of work experience with the Forest Preserves of Cook County (FPCC), OR at least 1 season of work experience as a Conservation Corp Crew member, OR at least 1 season of work experience on FPCC property with partners such as the Chicago Zoological Society, Chicago Botanic Garden, Greencorps Chicago, OR at least 1 season of work experience with other partners such as Friends of the Forest Preserves or the Student Conservation Association.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of civil engineering as applied to the inspection, planning, design, construction, and rehabilitation of site infrastructure.

Knowledge of and experience dealing with standard sources of engineering information, including Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) specification, OSHA laws and their application.

Skill and proficiency in the use and operation of computers, AutoCAD or similar software, Microsoft Office or similar software, and survey equipment.

Ability to read interpret contracts, engineering plans, specifications, estimates, and schedules.

Knowledge of the operations of the District.

Ability to communicate with diverse groups.

Skill in developing site plans and specification for construction and rehabilitation projects.

Knowledge and ability to direct and coordinate plans with various internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to take charge of…