Senior Engineering Assistant

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW

Your Expertise. Our Infrastructure. Let’s Build Together! The City of Tulare is seeking a high-caliber technical expert to join our Engineering Division. This "advanced journey-level" position is perfect for the professional who thrives on variety—one day you’re calculating Development Impact Fees and reviewing site plans, the next you’re in the field conducting surveys and inspections. If you have a deep understanding of the Subdivision Map Act, mastery of CAD, and a passion for technical precision, your next career chapter starts here. Why Join Us? High Autonomy: Work independently on complex capital improvement projects. Diverse Portfolio: Impact everything from water and sewer infrastructure to traffic engineering and land surveying. Public Impact: Act as a key consultant for contractors, architects, and the public to ensure our city standards are met.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under general supervision, performs difficult and complex paraprofessional and technical engineering work in support of professional engineering staff including but not limited to: drafting, filing and retrieval of information, engineering design, land development, traffic engineering, utility engineering, and capital improvements; provides technical assistance to engineering personnel; provides direction to contractors, consultants, developers, and the public regarding City standards and applicable laws, rules, and regulations; and performs field engineering work involving surveying and inspections as requested.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Senior Civil Engineer. May exercise direct supervision of lower-level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level class within the engineering assistant series. Incumbents perform a wide variety of specialized paraprofessional field and office engineering duties including receiving and responding to inquiries and complaints, maintaining engineering records, performing complex engineering calculations, performing field observations and surveys, researching engineering topics, updating maps and drawings, and performing basic professional and technical work in the preparation of plans, specifications, designs, estimates, schedules, inspections, and project management activities. Incumbents are expected to work independently exercising initiative and judgment with general direction. This class is distinguished from the Senior Civil Engineer in that the latter is the highest-level class in the professional engineering series with managerial responsibility for various functions and activities of the Engineering Division.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of Civil engineering principles, practices, and methods applicable to office and field work involving the design, construction, and maintenance of public works projects. Basic design and construction practices and methods of streets, underground facilities, and related public works infrastructure. Engineering plan types, review practices, and permit filing and approval procedures. Principles and practices of technical civil engineering drafting and surveying support. Principles and practices of project cost estimating and project management. Basic engineering hydraulics as used in sewer and storm water facilities. Topographic and construction surveying. Drafting and surveying equipment, computers, principles, problems, techniques, and practices. Modeling techniques. Modern developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding engineering. Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations (e.g., State Subdivision Map Act), including administrative and department policies and procedures. Technical engineering mathematics—including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry and uses of construction materials. Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment. Computer applications related to the work, including computer-aided drafting concepts and applications. Principles and practices of data collection, interpretation, and presentation and technical report writing. Principles and procedures of record keeping. Safe driving principles and practices. English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff, in person and over the telephone. Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone. Ability to Prepare a variety of plans, specifications, maps, graphic materials, cost estimates, and technical engineering reports. Modify engineering drawings, topographic maps, improvement plans, and illustrative graphics using Computer-Assisted Drafting (CAD) software. Prepare legal descriptions and complete accurate and concise plans, specifications, and cost estimates. Prepare quantity and cost estimates and write contract specifications. Administer contracts and coordinate and review the work of outside consultants. Perform responsible technical engineering support work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision. Read and interpret engineering plans, technical drawings, specifications, and subdivision maps. Perform basic engineering design under professional engineering supervision. Make mathematical calculations and accurate engineering computations and drawings. Make and record accurate field engineering observations. Use engineering, drafting, and surveying instruments and equipment. Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials. Apply technical research methodologies and write technical reports. Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs. Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing. Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work. Education and Experience Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by college-level coursework in civil engineering, drafting, surveying, mathematics, or related field, and five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in sub‑professional civil engineering or drafting with special emphasis on land surveying, development, design, and construction. Licenses and Certifications Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle; and to visit and inspect various City development sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although the job involves field inspection work requiring frequent walking at inspection sites to monitor performance and to identify problems or hazards; standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions; but may occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Tulare