Principal Engineer; Temporary

Principal Engineer

Reports To:

Assistant Director of Public Works & Utilities

Supervision:
May oversee lower-level professional and technical Engineers, Inspectors, and other subordinate staff

Job Summary:

Plans, organizes, directs, assigns, manages, and coordinates the work of an engineering section within the Public Works & Utilities Department; directs and coordinates the work of engineering and construction consultants in the design and construction of major public works projects and other projects; applies for, administers, and manages project funding grants; and provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Assistant Director of Public Works & Utilities.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
This job class functions at a program/project management level and is responsible for the effective administration of assigned engineering areas as well as for providing general assistance in the administration of the Public Works & Utilities Department.

Examples of Essential Duties:
The following duties are performed personally, in cooperation with the City Manager, and/or in coordination with other City employees, operating partners, community groups, and other public and private organizations. Additional duties may be assigned.

• Plans, organizes, assigns, manages, and evaluates the activities of an engineering section within the Public Works & Utilities Department; clarifies roles and responsibilities of staff in meeting an engineering division's goals and facilitates goal setting, scheduling and monitoring of public works projects.
• Analyzes complex issues and problems related to areas of responsibility, evaluates alternatives, and develops and recommends effective courses of action.
• Participates in the development, planning, financing, design, administration, and construction of significant and complex public works projects.
• Directs, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of subordinate engineering and/or technical support assistants engaged in the preparation of designs, specifications, estimates, and technical reports related to the construction of public works projects.
• Performs the most difficult and complex professional engineering assignments in the design and construction of projects.
• Serves as project manager on the most complex public works construction projects and oversees staff assigned less complex projects; administers project from inception to completion including planning, design, review, public meetings, bidding and construction; develops scope of work; serves as liaison to City staff, developers, engineers, consultants, the general public and external agencies on proposed projects; develops project timelines and sets priorities;
  
  assigns work tasks and oversees the services of consultant staff.
• Prepares and reviews specialized technical studies, investigations, reports, contracts, specifications, documents, and correspondence related to division activities and operations and as required by laws, codes, and regulations.
• Reviews and evaluates private improvement plans for impact on public works projects; approves plans as appropriate; issues permits as necessary.
• Reviews, evaluates, and monitors commercial, industrial, subdivision, or other project development plans for specification compliance; recommends approval/denial.
• Prepares and reviews bid request packages; reviews received bids and makes recommendations; reviews contract change proposals.
• Reviews and directs the work of consulting engineers and surveyors; ensures conformance with City and state requirements; reviews progress payment requests and administers contract costs.
• May attend and participate in professional organization meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the field of civil engineering; incorporates new developments as appropriate into programs.
• May function as Traffic and/or Transportation Engineer performing technical engineering work, coordinating efforts with state and federal regulatory agencies and attending the regional transportation committee meetings.
• Serves as City Engineer as assigned.
• Makes presentations and serves on a variety of committees to work with regulatory agencies, the public, elected officials, and other agencies.
• May serve as Assistant Director of Public Works and Utilities in their absence
• Performs related duties as required.

Employment Standards Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services and activities of a comprehensive engineering program.
• Principles and techniques of supervision including staffing, employee development, and planning and organizing work.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering and construction including the design, specification, and estimating of projects related to public works.
• Advanced principles and practices of project management and administration including budget, schedule, and scope control.
• Advanced knowledge and implementation of public contracting codes and contract administration.
• Advanced methods and techniques of engineering plan review and…