Assistant Engineer

Assistant Engineer PositionAdvance your career and shape the future of public infrastructure as an Assistant Engineer with the County of Sonoma! Starting salary up to $67.64/hour ($141,172/year) and a competitive total compensation package!Sonoma Public Infrastructure (SPI) is currently recruiting to fill a full-time position at either the Assistant Engineer or Engineer level. If you are interested in being considered at the Engineer level of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitment being conducted for each level. Note: Possession of an Engineer-in-Training Certificate with the State of California is required for the Assistant Engineer level. If you have a valid license as a Professional Engineer issued by the State of California, you should apply to the Engineer recruitment.At the County of Sonoma, Assistant Engineers work independently, perform complex calculations, site evaluations, and inspections. They perform a wide variety of field and office professional-level engineering work of average difficulty. They ensure plans and specifications are compliant with county codes, standards, and regulations. As a subject matter expert, they may train and assist staff. Within SPI, this Engineer will primarily focus on road repair designs, retaining walls, drainage improvements, and a variety of projects for the department.Additional responsibilities include:Managing and overseeing diverse construction projects, including transportation facilities, traffic improvements, slope-stabilization and other infrastructure repairs, and community infrastructure improvementsApplying engineering judgment and construction-management expertise to review plans, specifications, cost estimates, schedules, constructability, and proposed field changesAdministering and overseeing construction contracts, including contractor coordination, progress meetings, submittals, requests for information, change orders, payment applications, claims, and project documentationMonitoring project budgets and schedules, identifying risks or delays, and coordinating corrective actions to keep projects within approved scope, cost, and scheduleConducting construction-site inspections to verify that work conforms to engineering plans, specifications, permit requirements, safety expectations, and applicable standardsCoordinating with design consultants, contractors, utility providers, regulatory agencies, resource agencies, and other County departments to resolve technical and construction-related issuesSupporting the planning, design, permitting, procurement, and delivery of transportation improvementsSupporting the planning and construction of stormwater infrastructure, drainage improvements, erosion-control measures, and flood-mitigation projectsCoordinating environmental reviews and permitting requirements while maintaining alignment with project objectives and construction schedulesThe ideal candidate will possess one or more years of experience in engineering, the ability to shift gears quickly, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. In addition, you will possess intellectual curiosity, an interest in research, have a logical mindset, and possess many of the following:Engineering knowledge relevant to the planning, design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of public infrastructureExperience managing public works or civil construction projects through design, permitting, procurement, construction, and closeoutKnowledge of construction-management practices, including constructability review, cost estimating, scheduling, contract administration, change orders, payment applications, quality assurance, and risk managementExperience interpreting engineering plans, technical specifications, construction contracts, reports, and applicable codes and standardsStrong collaboration, negotiation, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skillsExperience coordinating consultants, contractors, inspectors, utility providers, regulatory agencies, and internal departmentsKnowledge of federal, state, and local requirements applicable to publicly funded infrastructure projects, including permitting, procurement, documentation, reimbursement, and regulatory complianceExperience with federally funded or reimbursable projects, particularly FEMA-related infrastructure repairs and hazard-mitigation projects, is highly desirableStrong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical documentation and explain engineering and construction matters to technical and nontechnical audiencesThe ability to lead project meetings and hold consultants and contractors accountable for project requirements, schedule, quality, and deliverablesAssistant Engineers occasionally work in the evening, on weekends, and rarely on holidays. Emergency work may be required based on construction activities, public meetings, inspections, and project needs. Work is performed in both office and active construction-site environments. Field assignments may involve exposure to traffic, heavy equipment, noise, dust, uneven terrain, and inclement weather.What We OfferWorking at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits including:Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignmentSalary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary rangeCareer Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Engineer (up to $77.78/hour)Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per yearCounty Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan optionsStaff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $1,500 and ongoing education/training opportunitiesPost-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefitsRetirement - A pension fully integrated with Social SecurityPaid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employmentAdditional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and moreStudent Loan Debt Relief – County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Western Counsel of Engineers Memorandum Of Understanding (WCE MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.Minimum QualificationsExperience and Education: Any combination of education and/or training which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in engineering and one year of full-time, professional engineering experience at a level comparable to Junior Engineer. License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position. The position advertised on this announcement requires possession of a valid California Driver's License. Professional Certification: Possession of an Engineer-in-Training Certificate with the State of California.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesWorking knowledge of: the principles, practices and techniques of civil engineering, traffic engineering, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering depending upon assignment; statistics and advance mathematics including algebra and analytic geometry; topographic and construction surveying, stress analysis, analytical mechanics and the strength, properties and uses of construction materials; common methods and equipment utilized in engineering construction and of inspection methods used in reviewing such work; real property descriptions; engineering design and drafting methods and equipment and computer-aided design (CAD) software. Knowledge of: the principles, practices and techniques of training. Ability to: prepare designs and make accurate drawings and maps; make accurate mathematical calculations and neat and accurate field notes; apply principles of logic and scientific reasoning to develop and evaluate alternative courses of action and determine appropriate solutions; read, understand and interpret complex technical and legal documents, maps, technical drawings and plans; listen attentively and participate in negotiations by providing required data and information; adjust workload changes and work under stress to meet deadlines; develop and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of representatives from governmental and private agencies, construction and consultant contractors, coworkers and the public; write clearly and concisely in order to prepare technical reports, correspondence, and maintain records.Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When ApplyingYour application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process. 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