City Engineer

Summary

DEFINITION

Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and operations of the Engineering Division including research, survey, design, permitting, construction management, land development services, traffic and transportation, and water, wastewater, and capital projects; establishes and directs the implementation and administration of City-wide policies and programs related to engineering initiatives and administration throughout the City; manages the effective use of division resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex and responsible support to the Public Works and Utilities Director in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from the Public Works and Utilities Director. Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and administrative support staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTCS

This is a management classification responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the staff, operations, and activities of the Engineering Division. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities, which include division budget administration, program evaluation, and recommendation and implementation of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, priorities, and standards related to engineering functions. Incumbents serve as a professional-level resource for organizational, managerial, and operational analyses and studies. Performance of the work requires the use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines.

Essential Functions / Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Engineering Division including research, survey, design, permitting, construction management, land development services, and capital projects for traffic and transportation, water, and wastewater infrastructure.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within division policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative, and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, directs, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality.
• Administers the City's capital improvement program.
• Reviews and recommends approval of plans and specifications, designs, cost estimates, environmental documents, reports, and studies for all engineering projects.
• Supervises and monitors the work of all consulting engineers; verifies and approves all contractors' work estimates, payment requests, and change orders.
• Performs site inspections during construction for adherence to specific methods and materials and to ensure compliance with regulations for system safety or design.
• Interprets City policies and procedures to employees; develops and implements staff training programs particularly in employee safety.
• Reviews division reports to ensure compliance with appropriate departmental and City rules, regulations, and policies as well as appropriate federal, state, and local laws.
• Manages and oversees land development services including plan check operations in conjunction with other City departments, and the review and approval of traffic impact analysis reports, encroachment agreements, and various encroachment and right of way permits.
• Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services; presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards.
• Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Serves as a liaison for assigned functions with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces as necessary.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to City needs.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files.
• Ensures staff compliance with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, evaluation, and project management.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned areas of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• Modern and complex standards, principles, and practices of civil engineering including capital improvement program management, land development and subdivision, transportation planning, traffic engineering, and traffic operations.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety practices necessary in the area of work.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the Engineering Division.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
  
  

Ability To

• Plan, organize, oversee, and manage the staff and operations of the Engineering Division.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the Engineering Division.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Manage and administer a comprehensive capital improvement program; review and develop designs, plans, long range capital improvement plans, and specifications.
• Identify and respond to the community and Public Works and Utilities Director regarding issues, concerns, and needs.
• Analyze problems, conduct studies, identify alternative solutions, determine project consequences of proposed solutions, and implement approved recommendations.
• Read and interpret maps, plans, sketches, schematics, diagrams, blueprints, and engineering drawings.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the division and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Education

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field.

Experience

Six (6) years of increasingly responsible civil engineering program management experience including three (3) years of managerial or supervisory experience.

Licenses And Certifications

• Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California.
  
  

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and color vision to create and interpret color coded reports and spreadsheets; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer 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.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

E-Verify : The City of El Monte is an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an Internet based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees in the United States.

Please see the webpage for Employee Bargaining Units.

01

Do you possess a valid State of California certification as an engineer? Check all that apply:

• Yes - Professional Engineer (PE)
• Yes - Engineer-in-Training
• No - I do not possess a California engineer certification
  
  

02

Do you possess six (6) years of increasingly responsible civil engineering program management experience including three (3) years of managerial or supervisory experience?

• Yes
• No
  
  

03

Do you possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question