Director of Engineering

Town Engineer

Performs executive-level professional engineering and administrative work directing the Town's Engineering Department and serves as the Town Engineer. Responsible for engineering operations, capital project delivery, development engineering, engineering standards, infrastructure planning, consultant management, and departmental leadership. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Assistant Town Manager and is evaluated through conferences and review of records for quality of overall construction in the Town, the relationship with the development community, and acceptance by the general community.

Essential Functions

• Plans, organizes, and directs all engineering services in the Town and the work of the department to provide timely, thorough, and effective response to construction within the Town.
• Directs plan review, site inspection, project design, and construction-industry relations functions to assure quality construction projects for the Town.
• Supervises department; trains, develops, provides performance coaching and evaluation to create a skilled and motivated staff.
• Serves as the Town's principal engineering advisor to the Town Manager, Board of Commissioners, and other departments.
• Develops long-range engineering strategies consistent with the Town's Strategic Plan.
• Advises executive leadership on infrastructure investment priorities.
• Develops departmental performance measures; identifies operational efficiencies and continuous improvement opportunities.
• Represents the Engineering Department as a member of the Town's executive leadership team.
• Supervises the preparation of construction plans, bid packages, design criteria, analysis, specifications, plans, rights of way maps, investigations, cost estimates, and tabulation of contract bids for construction projects; authorizes contract payments; establishes schedules for work; recommends selection of consultants and contractors.
• Signs and seals engineering documents.
• Oversees the capital improvement process engineering design of infrastructure for the Town; coordinates design needs with other departments, other related staff, and user needs; ensures designs meet long-term quality and functionality as well as regulatory requirements; updates and applies Town engineering standards to achieve desired outcomes.
• Oversees consultants and contracted engineers, including selection, negotiating scope, administering and managing contracts, assuring the preparation of reports and engineering records, evaluating performance, and reviewing invoices.
• Collaborates with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on projects as necessary.
• Develops long-range transportation, drainage, sidewalk, and infrastructure improvement plans.
• Oversees stormwater and sediment control plan review, site inspection, and handling of citizen complaints in collaboration with Mecklenburg County; enforces stormwater regulations.
• Reviews applications for development permits; ensures development plans comply with applicable ordinances, codes, and regulations.
• Reviews and approves plans for proposed subdivisions and planned unit developments.
• Administers the department budget, authorizes purchases, and monitors expenditures for compliance with Town of Matthews budgeting policies and procedures.
• Identifies, prepares, and administers federal, state, and regional grant opportunities for infrastructure improvements.
• Makes field visits to observe and collaborate with staff, meet construction industry officials, and observe construction quality and community impact.
• Develops and delivers technical presentations for the Board of Commissioners; simplifies complex engineering data and project specifics into understandable reports and recommendations for public officials, non-engineering staff, and the community.
• Develops special projects, strategies, designs, or other activities to support Town and departmental management; researches issues and prepares reports; advises management, construction industry, elected officials, and others on related matters.
• Maintains files and records; prepares reports.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of and ability to apply engineering principles and practices as applied to land development and related to design and construction of infrastructure.
• Broad knowledge of transportation, stormwater, and site civil engineering, with comprehensive knowledge of at least one of these.
• Thorough knowledge of related laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations affecting utility, public works, and construction by the Town or by contractors.
• Considerable knowledge of leadership and organizational development.
• Considerable knowledge of effective supervisory practices related to employee communication, motivation, performance coaching, and evaluation.
• Considerable knowledge of municipal personnel, budgeting, and purchasing policies and practices.
• Knowledge of Capital Improvement Program development.
• Ability to present technical information and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to read and interpret laws, codes, ordinances, plans, specifications, and blueprints and to compare and interpret them with various aspects of construction in progress.
• Ability to perform difficult engineering computations and to make comprehensive recommendations on engineering problems; skill in the use of civil engineering instruments.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, various departments, public officials, engineers, contractors, developers, consultants, construction workers, and the general public.
• Ability to prepare and conduct effective public presentations; and to read and prepare complex records and reports.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pulling, lifting, grasping, fingering, talking, and hearing.
• Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to maintain records and reports, review maps and drawings, inspect work for quality of methods and materials, operate a computer terminal, and use measuring devices.

Working Environment

• Must be conscious of potential hazards and safety practices to avoid injury to others and themselves; May be subject to hazards including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme hot and cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as construction noise and hazards, proximity to moving mechanical parts, vibrations, dust, mists, fumes, oils, tight quarters, and narrow passageways. This position is subject to all State and Federal OSHA regulations, including, but not limited to the following: bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication/GHS, personal protective equipment, slips, trips, and falls, etc.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible engineering experience, including a minimum of five (5) years of supervisory or management experience in municipal engineering, public infrastructure, or consulting engineering; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certificate and License Requirements

• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid North Carolina Driver's License within 60 days of employment with a safe driving record. (If you possess a South Carolina Driver's License and maintain residence in South Carolina, you are not required to attain a North Carolina Driver's License.)
• Current licensure as a Professional Engineer in North Carolina or the ability to secure licensure within six months of hire is mandatory.

Conditions of Employment

• The Town of Matthews requires background checks to be conducted on the final candidate(s) applying for any position with the Town of Matthews. For this position, final candidates must pass a background process to include, but are not limited to, work history verification, professional/personal reference checks, pre-employment drug screening and physical, criminal background, and driving record checks, etc. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test and/or participate in other assessments.

Supplemental Information

• All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• The Town is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Town of Matthews provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws in all terms and conditions of employment.
• The Town of Matthews is an at-will employer.