Senior Engineer

Position Description

Under general supervision, performs professional level engineering work in a lead capacity on a variety of Public Works projects in such areas as utilities, transportation, and stormwater.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for engineering and planning work necessary to plan and complete assigned municipal projects.
• Consistently completes projects within scope, schedule and budget constraints and in compliance and coordination with various Federal, State and local agencies.
• Responsible for planning, research and preparation of major reports under general direction.
• Determine the appropriate project design and methodology for all assigned projects.
• Perform complex engineering research in support of recommendations and project review.
• Responsible for collecting and analyzing a variety of engineering data.
• Prepare maps, statistical information, plans, specifications and cost estimates, including identifying and applying for funding sources pertaining to assigned projects.
• Act as Lead for interdisciplinary teams managing the most complex projects.
• Responsible for consultant selection and management; including contract negotiation, progress monitoring and project delivery.
• Punctual, regular, and reliable attendance is essential for successful job performance.

Stormwater Management Emphasis:

• Responsible for the compliance with NPDES Permit.
• Act as the primary liaison between the City and the Washington Department of Ecology.
• Represents the City at regional stormwater manager meetings.
• Develops engineering standards and policies to support the City's stormwater management program.
• Reviews development applications for conformance with City stormwater requirements.
• Identifies and defines stormwater projects for the capital improvement program.

Position Requirements

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in Civil Engineering.
• Three years' experience in municipal engineering design preferred.
• Additional experience in related civil engineering may be substituted for the college degree with one-year experience being equal to one year of college education.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Special Requirements

• Knowledge of current principles, practices, methods and techniques of civil engineering, transportation engineering, natural resource management, water resource engineering, environmental sciences or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, computer modeling, soils, chemistry and environmental sciences.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to transportation, environmental, water resource or natural resource issues.
• Knowledge of both project and municipal budget preparation.
• Knowledge of current municipal construction standards, methods, processes, materials, costs, and cost estimating.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to municipal activities, including rules applicable to the formation and closeout of a Local Improvement District (LID).
• Skill in analyzing, assessing, and recommending solutions to complex and challenging public works/municipal utility engineering problems.
• Skill in the use of spreadsheets, graphic editors, databases, word processors, project management software and in the operation of various engineering specific computer programs.
• Ability to work from general written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to interpret engineering plans, survey notes and legal descriptions.
• Ability to perform research, analysis and advanced computer modeling on complex civil engineering, transportation, environmental or water resource issues, problems, and data.
• Ability to create and present technical information in a data or graphic format.
• Ability to accurately complete assigned projects within time lines.
• Ability to communicate with groups of varying levels of technical sophistication in a courteous, tactful manner.
• Ability to read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to perform complex engineering computations either manually or with the aid of a computer or calculator.
• Ability to work cooperatively, productively, effectively, and successfully with others in a public service dedicated, customer centered, team-oriented environment, where open communication is the norm.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct the work of others.

Special Requirements

• Successfully pass a modified background investigation.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington or registration from another state with the ability to obtain Washington registration within six months.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• Appointees not possessing a valid Washington State Driver's License upon hire must obtain one within the currently effective statutory time limit.

Contacts:

• The Senior Engineer position has varied contacts, including City employees, private consultants, contractors, public officials, property owners and citizens.
• Contacts are for the purpose of listening to various concerns and issues and to provide explanations of current city projects and/or practices.
• Contacts will also be for the purpose of gathering and disseminating information. Issues and/or projects may be controversial in nature, where the ability to explain the City's position at a level equal to the audiences level of technical sophistication is vital to success.

Supervision:

• In a lead capacity, the Senior Engineer may supervise and/or direct the work of assigned professional and technical staff.

Accountability:

• The Senior Engineer is accountable for the quality, accuracy and timely completion of assigned projects and tasks.

Working Conditions:

• The Senior Engineer typically spends the majority of the workday in an office.
• Some projects and tasks will require fieldwork to gather information and review existing conditions.

Benefits

The City of Kelso offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care. Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan (HRA), Flexible Spending Account, dental and vision care, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, voluntary insurance, pension, deferred compensation plans, holidays, vacation, sick leave, and direct payroll deposit. Varies by bargaining group.