Senior Engineer

Job Title

Engineer

Job Description

Develops and delivers professional civil engineering solutions from planning, scoping, to design for the construction of public infrastructure improvements. Serves as project manager for the design, planning, and operations of various engineering projects and programs to ensure quality services, meet strategic objectives, and comply with federal, state, and local regulations.

If you're an experienced engineer looking for meaningful work and a sustainable pace, this role offers a solid alternative to consulting and private-sector churn. Additional benefits of the position include:

• No billable hours, client deadlines or sales pressure
• Long-term and short-term project planning
• Authority to make technical decisions that impact real systems
• Opportunity to see projects through from concept to operation
• Work that directly supports public safety and community well-being
• Collaboration with operators, inspectors, and leadership is part of the job
• Stable workload and predictable expectations
• Standard schedule: Monday–Friday. Alternative schedules may be considered with department approval to include some remote work.

This position includes a comprehensive benefits package designed for long-term security and work-life balance.

Health Coverage

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Employer pays 82% of premiums (Vision is 100% Employee paid)
• Supplemental coverage options available.

Leave

• Annual leave accrues based on service (80–160 hours per year)
• Sick leave up to 96 hours per year
• 16 hours of personal leave effective on hire date and renews annually.
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave, FMLA, and tuition reimbursement after probation

Retirement

• Defined benefit retirement through Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA)
• Additional retirement options available (457 plans)
• Employer contribution: 17.80%
• Employee contribution: 10.65%
• Details at

Position functions approximately seventy (70) percent in an office environment and thirty (30) percent in a field environment with exposure to all weather and traffic conditions, fumes, odors, gases, construction noise and equipment, debris, and dust. Position requires light to moderate physical work involving frequent writing and keyboarding; lifting and carrying items weighing up to forty (40) pounds; considerable flexibility to structure daily work activities between sitting, standing and walking; squatting, kneeling, crouching, climbing into and out of drainage channels and trenches; ambulating on uneven surfaces at various locations and construction sites; strong verbal and visual acuity; color and depth perception required for identifying material problems and plan review. Safety equipment includes hard hat, steel toe boots, ear plugs, eye protection, and traffic safety vest. Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours including evenings and weekends, responding to emergency situations and customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.

This initial posting will be used to fill a full-time, regular, exempt position in the Utilities Department but may be utilized to fill Senior Engineer vacancies in various departments within the City of Las Cruces including part-time, full-time and contract positions. Position will be advertised as continuous, with periodic review of applications. Full-Time, Regular, Exempt. This position is a grade RX28.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepares and professionally seas construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, reports, and calculations for a variety of routine to complex public infrastructure projects; analyzes, creates, reviews, and prepares studies and reports and assists in development of City standards and reviewing policies.
• Plans, coordinates, and manages activities, staff, and projects to provide appropriate levels of assistance and expertise; prepares and/or administers construction plans, contract documents, material specifications, cost estimates, and acquisition of right of way and easements to coordinate the various aspects of design projects and engineering related programs.
• Procures, manages, and engages with multi-disciplinary consultants and contractors to develop and achieve design objectives and project goals to perform approved CIP projects in appropriate scope capacity; negotiates design contracts, procures services, and collaborates with consultants and contractors to provide deliverables and meet the scope of work objectives; reviews technical work, develops solutions to problems, and provides recommended revisions to consultants and contractors.
• Develops and maintains computer models of related systems; oversees the development and update of data on a Geographic Information System (GIS) to meet established goals and objectives.
• Plans, reviews, designs, and certifies drawings for assigned projects; conducts field inspections, signs and seals engineering plans, reports, specifications, and contract documents to ensure integrity of information, accomplish project objectives, and compliance with applicable standards, codes, and regulations.
• Utilizes data, sketches, drawings, diagrams and verbal and written instructions to draft and create engineering drawings and perform technical calculations; researches, collects, and analyzes data to prepare and present various special and recurring reports, forms, and other documents to provide accurate and timely information.
• Participates in the development of various projects and programs; maintains and oversees financial activities of assigned budgets to ensure compliance and meet performance targets; coordinates the preparation of related documents, projects, and proposals for service to ensure compliance with City standards.
• Reviews master plans, plats, engineering plans, specifications, studies, and reports to ensure compliance, completeness, and accuracy with contractual arrangements and compliance with relevant standards, codes, regulations, and guidelines; inspects projects to address items of issue or concern.
• Develops requests for proposals to procure various professional services; prepares project cost estimates, develops scope of work and schedules for projects to ensure appropriate levels of service, support, and resources.
• Responds to inquiries to maintain positive customer relations and appropriate levels of service, support, and resources; responds to and resolves various complaints, issues, and inquiries as authorized and in accordance with established policies and procedures; provides testimony regarding service disputes and related issues.
• Maintains records regarding system infrastructure needs and coordinates design and construction with other City departments.
• Meets regularly with staff to review work in progress, discuss and resolve administrative, workload and technical issues, and to prioritize and assign tasks and projects; evaluates and analyzes functions, resources, processes and procedures to identify issues and recommend changes for improvement; interprets applicable rules and regulations to provide guidance in developing, implementing, and administering policies and procedures.
• Manages staff through proper delegation and work supervision to provide appropriate levels of service and resources; coordinates and manages various special and recurring projects, monitors work, evaluates performance, trains, counsels, coaches, and instructs employees in order to meet established goals and objectives; ensures staff adhere to established policies and procedures to remain in compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or related Engineering discipline AND six (6) years of experience in civil engineering to include work experience in the public sector and project management, and review and design of various projects. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s) Valid driver's license is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City policy. Licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) is required at the time of application. State of New Mexico licensure as a PE may be required at the time of hire. Depending on the assignment, some incumbents may have up to twelve (12) months to obtain the State specific license; other professional or technical certifications may also be required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: applicable rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, and standards to effectively perform the functions of the position; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards; principles, practices, and processes related to project management, surveying, and civil engineering with an emphasis in the modern design, construction and maintenance of municipal projects; current information and research in areas of civil engineering; infrastructure needs assessment, network modeling, and technical operations support; model calibration, verification and testing; technical specifications and techniques governing services and functions of a municipality; techniques and practices for efficient and cost effective management