Associate Engineer

The City of San Mateo invites your application for the Associate Engineer opportunity! Why Join our City?

The Public Works Department is comprised of the Capital Improvement Program, Field Maintenance, Regulatory Compliance, Transportation, Clean Water Program, Data Management, Facilities/Fleet, and Wastewater Treatment Divisions. Each division is led by one of two Deputy Directors, who report to the Director of Public Works. The department is responsible for the City’s major capital projects and infrastructure including streets, street lights, traffic signals, publicly owned facilities, sewer and storm conveyance systems, wastewater treatment plant, pump stations, a major lagoon, dams, and levees;

as well as solid waste and environmental programs.

The Public Works Department is committed to high performance standards, utilizing best practices relative to performance management and team-oriented approaches. Our mission is to enhance the community and its environment by providing sustainable stewardship and innovative approaches to Public Works services.

The Associate Engineer will perform professional engineering work in the design, investigation, and construction of public works and related projects; to act as project manager in assigned capital projects; and to do related work as required.

This is the journey level class within the professional engineering series and highly encourages professional engineering license registration. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Assistant Engineer by the greater complexity of the assignments received and by the greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate. Incumbents are expected to complete complex engineering assignments requiring the use of judgment and initiative in developing solutions to problems, interpreting general policies, and determining work assignments.

Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in the class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower class of Assistant Engineer, or when filled from the outside, require prior advanced technical or professional engineering work experience.

This position receives direction from higher level engineering staff. It may exercise technical supervision over lower-level staff within the work unit and exercises technical or functional supervision over technical engineering staff.

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Design and prepare plans and specifications and cost estimates for public works projects including pumping stations, streets, storm drains, sewer lines, and related projects.
• Research project design requirements: perform complex calculations and prepare estimates of time and material costs.
• Design and prepare plans and specifications for the installation of traffic signals, traffic control devices, and street lighting systems.
• Review field projects being studied, designed, or constructed.
• Assign routine investigation, design and drafting tasks to technical subordinates, request survey, mapping and data collection; review completed work; assist in the solution of difficult problems.
• Research publications and industry information sources to remain current with modern developments, principles, and procedures.
• Develop revised design and construction standards for public works structures and appurtenances.
• Investigate field problems affecting property owners, contractors, and maintenance operations. Prepare estimates and feasibility reports for new or modified services and structures.
• Design and maintain spreadsheets and databases on mainframe and personal computers; write and maintain special programs on personal computers.
• Fully utilize the computerized work systems in accordance with workflow processes.
• Participate in the planning, checking, review, and processing of plans for private developments affecting city streets, sewers, drains and related public works facilities and ensure that they meet all City-imposed requirements; analyze materials and design data submitted to the City.
• Prepare special engineering studies and reports.
• Prepare various applications for state and federal grants.
• Administer and enforce City Codes and standards on engineering projects.
• Determine conformance of parcel and subdivision maps and improvement plans to City requirements; maintain status of parcel and subdivision maps.
• Serve as staff to a variety of City commissions, boards, and committees on public works or traffic engineering matters.
• Coordinate public works activities with other City departments, divisions, and sections and with outside agencies.
• May supervise and train professional and technical staff.
• Provide staff assistance to the Department Head or Division Manager, including special projects, complex project management, reports, prepare staff…