Senior Engineer

Description

There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy within the Public Works Department.

THE POSITION:

Under general direction, plans, organizes, supervises and performs responsible and complex professional level engineering work in the field and office associated with design, development, investigation, construction and maintenance of parks and parkway projects, public works infrastructure and City facilities; serves as resident engineer and/or project manager on assigned projects; and performs related duties as required.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

Planning, organizing, supervising and reviewing the work of subordinate staff is a major function of positions in this class. Incumbents generally supervise a staff professional level engineering and/or inspection employees who perform varied and responsible field and office engineering work. Positions in this class normally supervise positions that are designated as first-level supervisors. Supervision, at this level is normally over multiple project teams. Positions in this class perform the most complex professional engineering and administrative work, frequently make difficult decisions that require interpretation and professional judgment, and communicate with departmental management to obtain direction on matters that deviate from practice, policy and/or generally accepted professional standards.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

Applications must be completed and submitted online. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, therefore prompt application is encouraged.

Candidates are requested to provide specific information regarding their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete . Do not include "see attached resume" in your responses, as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process.

Based upon the information presented on the application, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include, but is not limited to the following components: application review and evaluation, written examination or exercise, physical examination, practical exercise and interview evaluation. Please notify the Human Resources Division 72 hours in advance of the test date if you have a disability which requires accommodation for the testing process. The eligibility list will be in effect for one (1) year, unless exhausted sooner. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be utilized to fill other lower level vacancies which occur during the life of the list.

It is recommended you use a personal email address on your application instead of a work email address. Notifications during this recruitment will be sent by email only (regardless of the notification preference selected during the online application process). Notifications will be sent to the email address that is listed on your online application.

All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process which may include, but is not limited to: comprehensive background check, criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprint check), polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation and post-offer medical evaluation (may include drug screen). Based upon current and/or future assignments, an employee may be subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable and post-accident drug and alcohol testing pursuant to the Department of Transportation Regulations.

Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.

Essential Functions

These functions may not be present in all positions in this class. When a position is to be filled, the essential functions will be noted in the announcement of position availability. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.

Assigns, schedules, monitors, trains, checks, and corrects the work of assigned supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff;

Participates in the selection of personnel;

Develops standard of performance, advises subordinates of standards of performance, observes and documents performance, and prepares periodic and special evaluations of performance;

Serve as a reviewer of performance evaluations prepared by subordinate supervisory personnel;

Prepares supporting documentation and recommends employee recognition and discipline;

Processes formal and informal grievances;

Counsels employees on matters related to performance and employment status;

Makes oral and written directives;

Interprets, enforces and applies policies and regulatory requirements controlling the work of the unit;

Ensures dissemination of information and promotes effective communications within the unit.

Meets with departmental staff and contractors to resolve disputes;

Determines work items that are eligible for grant funding;

Approves expenditures from project funds and makes arrangements for additional funds for change orders;

Monitors preparation of and approves, or recommends as appropriate, changes to the scope of work of projects, justifications for change orders; and negotiates design and construction contract change orders.

Conducts studies, formulates findings, conclusions and recommendations, and implements approved changes in policies and procedures of the City Council, the Planning Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and the Public Services Department.

Corresponds and interfaces with contractors, consulting engineers, developers, utility companies, other agencies and the general public as the City's representative for construction projects proposed or in progress in the City.

Monitors the maintenance of necessary records and report preparation.

Participates in the preparation of the annual budget.

Prepares and updates the long-term projects in the assigned section of the Division (Engineering or Transportation) for the City's Capital Improvement Program.

Proposes budget recommendations for capital improvement projects.

When assigned to the Engineering Division:

Advertises projects for construction, evaluates bids, oversees contract administration and inspections for capital improvement projects.

Manages the development of storm water Best Management Practices (BMP) and evaluates BMP effectiveness through monitoring and sampling programs;

Reviews Water Quality Management Plans and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans;

Coordinates the design and construction of Public Works projects including buildings, parks and street improvement projects with various divisions and departments of the City, developers, other governmental agencies and consulting engineering and landscape architectural firms.

Performs the duties of construction project manager/resident engineer on assigned projects.

Supervises and participates in the full range of professional field and office work of the unit;

Manages construction of buildings, parks, parkways and street improvements; visits construction work sites regularly to monitor work of staff and contractors;

Supervises materials tests; installation of plant material, and associated irrigation devices;

Prepares and supervises the preparation of parks and parkway and/or public works improvement-related correspondence.

Monitors preparation of and approves, or recommends as appropriate, changes in construction projects, justifications for change orders, and contract change orders.

Confers with the City Attorney's office regarding contract administration; prepares technical reports with recommendations regarding legal issues for review, concurrence and/or approval by the City Attorney's office; consults with City Attorneys on responses to claims and litigation.

When assigned to the Transportation Services Division:

Manages the design of transportation improvements including roadway and intersection widening, and traffic signal improvements;

Manages the City's Traffic Operations Center (TOC), traffic signals, CCTVs, radar speed feedback signs and communication hardware and software;

Develops and implements traffic signal timing and coordination plans along major arterials, and calculates Intersection Level of Services (LOS).

Prepares traffic and parking analyses; Reviews traffic sections of environmental impact reports; Manages the City's traffic impact fee program.

Coordinates the review of planning applications and represents the Transportation Services Division at Bikeway and Walkability Committee meetings.

Qualification Guidelines

A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of this classification is as follows:

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Experience at a supervisory level with responsibility for advanced journey-level professional civil engineering work that relates to municipal public works design, park development, construction, administration and contracts. Graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a closely related field.

An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform essential functions may also be considered.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:

Possession or the ability to obtain a valid Class C California Driver's License before the date of appointment may be required. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Registered Civil Engineer in the State of California is required when assigned to the Engineering Division.

Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Registered Civil Engineer or Traffic Engineer in the State of California is required when assigned to the Transportation Services Division.

REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL LEVELS:

Knowledge of the advanced principles of civil engineering as they relate to public works projects in general;

Working level knowledge of engineering design;

Knowledge of the preparation, processing and monitoring of construction project contracts,

Knowledge of the preparation of specifications, estimates, plans, designs and contract agreements, and applicable laws, ordinances and codes as they specifically relate to the design and construction of public works projects.

Working knowledge of and skill in applying the principals and practices of administration and budgeting.

Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of leadership and supervision.

Thorough knowledge of laws, regulations and reporting requirements pertaining to state- and federally-funded construction projects.

When assigned to the Engineering Division:

Knowledge of principles and practices of Civil Engineering related to design, construction and inspection of building facilities, parks, streets, storm drains and grading plans;

Knowledge of investigative techniques, basic chemistry concepts and interactions;

Knowledge of storm water regulations and functions of related regulatory agencies and organizations;

Knowledge of construction and construction inspection work practices,

Knowledge of principles related to case management, reporting and record keeping.

When assigned to the Transportation Services Division:

Knowledge of principles and practices of Civil Engineering related to the design and construction of streets, signing and striping plans, and traffic signals.

REQUISITE ABILITIES:

Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of multiple project teams of professional engineers;

Ability to secure and maintain effective work relationships with contractors, property owners, neighborhood groups, developers, consulting engineers, representatives of other governmental agencies and the general public;

Ability to plan and implement administrative policies and procedures to insure that all phases of a project are completed in a timely manner and to insure compliance to specifications, time tables and financial guidelines;

Ability to effectively negotiate the City's position on assigned projects while demonstrating good judgment, tact, discretion, persuasiveness and self-reliance;

Ability to prepare and analyze date requiring the development of conclusions to present in definitive,

Ability to be clear and concise reports on public works and parks and parkway projects; and effectively supervise and train assigned engineering, field and clerical staff members.

Supplemental Information

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 - all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification.

Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

To view 2024 benefit information for all groups, Click Here
To view 2025 benefit information for all groups, Click Here

New employees contribute 9% of their salary on a pre-tax basis towards the 2%@60 or 2%@62 CalPERS retirement formula depending on eligibility.

Employees receive the following health insurance flexible benefits contribution:

• Current: $1,600monthly
• Effective January 2025: $1,650monthly

The City does not participate in the Social Security system; however, federal mandate requires new employees to contribute 1.45% of wages to Medicare. As a condition of employment, all new employees are required to enroll and participate in the direct deposit program.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Continuous

• 

• City of Costa Mesa

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