Principal Engineer

Principal Engineer

The City of La Cañada Flintridge is inviting applications for the position of Principal Engineer in the Public Works Department. This position will be part of an engaged, focused, and enthusiastic team and will provide complex and responsible support to the Director of Public Works by managing and leading the staff and operations of the Engineering Division within the Public Works Department. Under the general direction of the Director of Public Works, the Principal Engineer manages and leads the staff and operations of the Engineering Division including planning, budgeting, design, and construction of the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and special projects; review and approval of various permit applications, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. The Principal Engineer will also participate in the development of policies and strategies for division operations and manage the effective use of division resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service.

Nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, just north of the cities of Pasadena and Glendale, the City of La Cañada Flintridge is a low-density, residential community which enjoys a rural character and a small-town atmosphere while maintaining close proximity to the downtown Los Angeles urban center. Commercial development in the City is almost exclusively limited to the frontage along Foothill Boulevard, the main surface thoroughfare. The City of La Cañada Flintridge is home to Descanso Gardens, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, five municipal parks, an extensive trails system, and more. The City has a population of approximately 20,000 people within its 8.6 square miles. The City was incorporated as a general-law city on December 8, 1976, with a Council/Manager form of government. Some city services are provided under contract with the County of Los Angeles or other private entities. In-house staff provides general administration, public works, and planning services to the community.

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Open until filled. Thank you for your interest in the City of La Canada Flintridge!

Example of Duties

• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, work plans, policies, and priorities for the division.
• Recommends within division policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of the division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations to the Director of Public Works.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned staff; provides or coordinates staff training; works with them to enhance their productivity; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures, when required.
• Performs project management responsibilities; develops logical and efficient project budget and schedule; establishes priorities; monitors and manages task completion; anticipates and avoids problems; works collaboratively and cooperatively with team members and user groups to ensure project accountability.
• Develops and manages Requests for Proposals (RFP) for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City requirements and Federal and State procedures and guidelines.
• Acts as project manager and construction manager for a variety of CIP and special projects including project planning, design, construction, and close-out; monitors work progress on site according to safety regulations, and to ensure completion of projects on time and within budget and in accordance with project specifications.
• Reviews and approves plans, specifications and estimates for construction of CIP and special projects prepared by consultants for various public works projects to ensure conformance with standards and regulations; reviews and approves plans prepared by consultants for private development projects.
• Administers federal, state and local grant funds appropriated to projects and prepares required reports and invoices to corresponding agency per their guidelines.
• Develops project budget estimates, bid packages, bids and awards construction contracts, negotiates change orders, and reviews and approves contractor's monthly progress payments.
• Supervises and participates in the review and approval of various permits submitted by private developers and businesses.
• Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends and implements, upon approval, modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures; prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services.
• Serves as liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces, as required.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to the Director of Public Works; prepares and presents staff reports and other written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Acts as Director of Public Works in the absence of the director, as assigned.
• Reviews the work of staff and consultants to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, and the public; attends City Council and Commission meetings as required.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Answers questions and provides information to the public; investigates and responds to complaints and inquiries from citizens, other departments, and agencies.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: the major principles, practices, and techniques of administration in the public sector, including:

• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Administrative principles, practices, and methods including goal setting, program development, implementation and evaluation, policy and procedure development, quality control, and work standards.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Advanced principles and practices of engineering, land use development, and project management.
• Advanced civil engineering principles, practices, and methods related to the planning, design, and construction of public works projects and/or private development projects.
• Principles and practices of construction management, including engineering, surveying, and inspection methods and materials.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service, by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and programs, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives