Assistant City Engineer

Assistant City Engineer

The Assistant City Engineer assists the Public Works Director/City Engineer in planning, reviewing, coordinating, implementing, and inspecting public works projects, and enforcing code in order to define, establish, and attain the overall standards, policies, goals, and objectives of the Public Works Department.

Scope of Responsibility

The Assistant City Engineer works independently under the general direction of the Public Works Director/City Engineer and has the primary responsibility of managing assigned public works projects including reviewing plans, issuing and administering permits, coordinating contractors, and obtaining insurance certificates and bonds, if necessary. This position ensures projects meet the specifications and requirements of the permit and project, inspects activities of contractors, confirms restoration is performed to city standards, and closes out permits and map/record drawing updates, as needed.

The Assistant City Engineer develops, recommends, and manages projects, strategies, standards, and procedures consistent with organizational priorities. Additional responsibilities include project review and timeline coordination and assisting with the administrative management of city public works projects. This position administers operating rules and procedures under management guidance, performs advanced troubleshooting or analysis, and frequently interacts with the general public to provide detailed procedural explanations or technical responses. This position performs at a senior level in the assigned areas and is the lead on projects which may also involve research and mentoring engineering staff.

Operations

• Assumes engineering management duties in the absence of the City Engineer, as assigned.
• Uses Civil 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) and/or GIS software to produce construction drawings, compute alignments and grades, quantities, and other information necessary for a comprehensive set of plans for the construction of streets, utilities, water resources, or other engineering related projects as well as overall infrastructure inventory maintenance.
• Performs construction observation on all types of public works projects to ensure construction is consistent with specifications, special provisions, and plans.
• Performs or coordinates testing of materials used in construction projects and procedures and oversees tests performed by contractors for conformance to specifications.
• Ensures construction is completed in accordance with construction documents to provide a quality finished product.
• Assists in the inspection and enforcement of the city's land disturbance ordinance and permitting process. Works with property owners, developers, and contractors on erosion and sediment control.
• Oversees the management of the city's Municipal Separate Stormwater System (MS4) Permit program.
• Assists in the management of the city's right-of-way permitting program.
• Assists in the preparation and implementation of the city's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).

Planning & Analysis

• Collects and analyzes technical data for public improvement projects.
• Reviews plans for needed easements, right of way, and governmental jurisdiction permits and indicates this to the Public Works Director/City Engineer for appropriate action.
• Reviews private development plans for conformance with city standards as well as other regulatory agencies.

Communication, Public Education, & Outreach

• Acts as liaison to contractors and the public to provide information and solve problems.
• Communicates with property owners about construction projects to keep them informed of the status of the project, including project explanations and answering questions about the schedule and the impact on the property.
• Coordinates projects with other city departments and government agencies.
• Schedules, coordinates, and represents the engineering department at preconstruction, construction, and public improvement project neighborhood meetings.
• Attends City Planning Commission meetings, as needed, to serve as the engineering resource for the city and the representative of the Public Works Department.
• Presents information to the leadership team and/or Council, as necessary.

Supervision

• Manages and directs the Public Works Technician, contracted staff, and their activities.
• Establishes division goals and regularly monitors their implementation.
• Provides oversight, planning, and direction for staff and coaches and provides training for assigned employees.
• Enforces city and departmental policies and work rules.
• Conducts employee performance evaluations and evaluates and recommends employee training opportunities.
• Researches equipment, work processes, and procedures that improve staff performance.
• Assists in hiring permanent and temporary employees within the department.
• Establishes and maintains a work environment to motivate employees and develops and maintains a proper level of employee discipline.

Administrative & Recordkeeping:

• Takes necessary measurements and maintains complete records for accurate as-built drawings and records.
• Maintains complete daily and weekly work records and prepares monthly estimates of quantities for contractor payments. Uses a spreadsheet program to maintain project records and payment vouchers.
• Assists in the writing of complex documents, such as bid documents and specifications.
• Manages city infrastructure record drawings. Maintains city construction details and CAD standards.
• Performs other duties and assumes responsibility as assigned or apparent.

Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from an accredited university or college. Professional engineers license from the state of Minnesota, or ability to obtain in one year. Three years of municipal engineering experience. Must possess a valid driver's license with own transportation. Computer skills in a Windows environment including the use of the Microsoft Office suite of programs. Proficiency in AutoCAD computer aided design software, AutoCAD Civil 3D is preferred. Proficiency in GIS software, ArcGIS is preferred. Five years of practical civil engineering experience. Professional civil engineering experience of a supervisory nature with a municipal engineering department or a consulting engineering firm working in the areas of municipal engineering. Experience in street preservation and rehabilitation relating to plan and specification preparation, and construction. Experience in preparing and/or reviewing plats, plans, and developer agreements for new subdivisions. Experience working with various public agencies. Minnesota Department of Transportation certification for erosion control, grading & base, bituminous, and concrete or have the ability to obtain within one year.