Associate Engineer (Civil)

Description

This recruitment is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis.   If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.  

The Position

This announcement is for two (2) positions as described below:

Department of Public Works

The City of Santa Clara’s Department of Public Works seeks a results-oriented and innovative engineer to serve out the Department’s mission to provide the highest quality public works services to the residents of Santa Clara, the development community, and our customers in a responsible and efficient manner. The Department has focus areas that include Engineering Services and Operations and Maintenance. Engineering Services is comprised of five divisions: Administration, Traffic, Design, Land and Property Development, and Field Services. Operations and Maintenance include public roadways, parkways and boulevards, City trees, street sweeping, environmental programs, storm drain systems, fleet, solid and mixed waste/recyclables, and City facilities. For more information about the Department of Public Works please visit the department website.

The Traffic Engineering Division provides traffic engineering (technical support for the design and construction of both City and private development projects), traffic impact analysis reviews for private development projects and transportation projects, bicycle and pedestrian improvement planning, grant administration, and traffic signal maintenance and operation services for the City. The division receives and investigates resident/business inquiries related to street parking, traffic calming, intersection control (i.e signals, beacons, and crosswalks), and bicycling and pedestrian travel on public streets. The investigations may involve interaction with the residents, field review, traffic data collection, and evaluation of collected information with established city policies to prepare engineering recommendations for possible improvements. The division also focuses on multi-modal planning and implementation specifically related to the goals and projects included with the City’s Bicycle Plan, Pedestrian Masterplan, and the City’s Complete Streets policy. Finally, this division coordinates with other agencies such as the Valley Transportation Authority, County of Santa Clara Roads and Airports, Caltrans,

and the cities of San Jose, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale related to projects, programs, and grant opportunities. Experience in customer service, traffic design and construction, transportation planning, and project management and delivery is essential to success in this position.

Under direct supervision, the Associate Engineer (Civil) performs field and office work, reviews and approves designs for traffic control, traffic improvement, and private development related public improvements, administers grants, provides technical assistance in the implementation of transportation plans and programs (i.e. Bicycle Master Plan, Pedestrian Master Plan, Complete Streets Policy), supports the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and will work with the public and consultants on various projects and transportation related inquiries.[CM1] 

Water & Sewer Utilities Department

Santa Clara Water & Sewer Utilities’ mission is to provide customers a dependable supply of safe, potable water, environmentally-sound wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. Furthermore, recycled water is offered for approved uses including irrigation and industrial processes, where available. Programs and services are designed and implemented with economic and environmental benefits in mind. The City of Santa Clara’s Water & Sewer Utilities Department seeks an engineer with excellent project management skills; strong oral and written communication skills; a proven record of preparing and administering consultant contracts and agreements; experience preparing construction documents; experience designing, managing, maintaining and/or operating water, recycled water and sanitary sewer utilities; experience reviewing land development projects; experience working in a team environment on major construction projects, including working collaboratively with contractors, technicians, field staff, outside agency staff, and the general public. For more information about the Water & Sewer Utilities Department, please visit the department website.

Under direct supervision, the Associate Engineer (Civil) performs high-level, fast paced engineering work relating to the permitting, design and construction of water, recycled water, and sewer projects within the City. In addition, the Associate Engineer prepares construction documents such as improvement plans, specifications, estimates and schedules for water and sewer projects. As well as procures consultant and construction contracts for the design and construction of water and sewer projects including the preparation of requests for proposals (RFP), administration of the bidding and awarding process, preparation of Council agenda items, and administration of the consultant and construction contracts. This incumbent will review new developments and proposed public and/or commercial utilities improvement projects for compliance with City, County, State and Federal government regulations and standards. The Associate Engineer is expected to plan, organize, and prioritize a diverse workload of projects and tasks including technical and administrative tasks, and exercise independent judgment and decision making in resolving problems.

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. 

Typical Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

Under direct supervision:

• Conduct studies and analyses of engineering projects or problems, including public works planning activities, public works maintenance programs, traffic and transportation engineering, and other public projects

• Prepare plans, specifications and cost estimates for storm drain and sanitary sewer systems, urban roadways, bridges, traffic and transportation systems, public building and other public projects

• Compile engineering data and make calculations

• Perform calculations and prepare estimates of time and material costs

• Perform drafting involved in the preparation of maps, drawings, plans, easement and right-of-way documents, and other related matters

• Tabulate field data, design routine civil engineering projects and structures

• Write land descriptions, prepare contracts, agreements and other documents

• Write reports, minutes, conditions of approval and actively participate in the City’s staff committees on review of projects and subdivisions

• Run surveying equipment, perform general survey work, or inspect and/or administer public works construction projects

• Answer questions, write replies, review permit requests, determine and collect development fees, review and comment on developer public improvement plans, subdivision maps, and easement/right of way documents as generated by general public, contractors, developers, engineers and other public agencies

• Issue Encroachment Permits (EP) and determine and collect fees

• Assist with the department’s annual and five-year capital improvement budgets and the operating budget

• Manage the operation of City traffic signals and transportation systems

• Coordinate engineering activities with other City departments and other public agencies

• Provide technical information to other City departments and to the general public

• Write, review and edit City Council agenda reports and engineering reports

• May prepare and coordinate project construction schedules

• May prepare and/or revise design construction standard documents

• Provide construction management, construction contract administration, and consultant contract administration for public works projects

• Train and supervise professional and paraprofessional engineering staff

• Represent the Public Works Department in community, other public agency and professional meetings

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from a college or university that is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET)

• Two (2) years of experience in civil engineering office and field work.

Possible Substitutions:

• A Master’s Degree in any branch of Civil Engineering from an ABET accredited college or University may be substituted for one (1) year of experience

LICENSES & CERTIFICATION

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license is required at time of appointment and for duration of employment

• Possession of a State of California Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) Certificate or Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California is required at time of appointment and for duration of employment

• Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California is desirable

• Other licenses and certificates directly related to the Civil Engineering field (e.g. Geotechnical Engineer, Traffic Engineer, Structural Engineer, Land Surveyor, Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Developer (QSD), Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Practitioner (QSP))is desirable

• Current city employees appointed to Associate Engineer (Civil) prior to September 1, 2015 are waived of the required State of California Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) Certificate or Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.

• May be required to work shifts, weekends, and odd and unusual hours in the performance of duties and emergency situations.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Incumbents assigned to the Field Services position are required to file a Conflict of Interest statement upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office, in accordance with City Manager Directive 100.

Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview will be required prior to appointment.

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

PERMANENT CITY EMPLOYEES PREFERENCE POINTS: Current permanent employee candidates who receive a passing score on the examination will have an additional five (5) points added to their final score.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: 

• Principles, practices, methods and techniques of civil engineering as applied to the planning, design, construction, repair, maintenance and operation of urban roadways, storm drain and sanitary sewer systems, bridges, traffic and transportation systems including, but not limited to land surveying, grading and drainage, hydraulics of open channel and pipe flow, highway engineering, traffic and transportation engineering, economic analysis, project scheduling, construction testing and inspection, strengths properties and uses of material for public works projects, soil investigation, structural analysis, drafting, report writing, mapping, and project technical specification writing

• Federal, State and local laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and policies pertaining to public works projects and transportation infrastructure operation

• Approved construction and field safety standards, practices, and procedures related to public works projects

• Hydrology and hydraulics as they relate to civil engineering

• Transportation planning and traffic signal operation

• Project and construction management

• Consultant and construction contract administration

• Means, methods, materials and equipment used in construction of public works projects

• Project cost estimating and project plan preparation

• Principles of supervision and training

• Computer applications (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, project management software, scheduling tools, computer-aided drafting and design (CADD) with civil engineering modules and geographic information system (GIS))

• Environmental and safety practices, procedures and standards

Ability to:

• Follow oral and written directions;

• Prepare, review, interpret and evaluate plans, specifications, cost estimates, project schedules, proposals, land surveys and engineering reports for public works projects

• Read, interpret and apply laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and policies governing public works projects and transportation infrastructure operation

• Maintain records, logs and databases

• Prepare comprehensive engineering and administrative staff reports

• Perform quantity take-off work from construction plans

• Compile and analyze data, prepare reports and make recommendations

• Make accurate mathematical calculations and engineering computations and drawings

• Effectively communicate both orally and in writing

• Prepare and make public presentations

• Write clear, concise reports, using correct composition, English grammar and spelling

• Comprehend, carry out and issue oral and written technical instructions

• Supervise and train other professional or paraprofessional engineering personnel

• Analyze facts and to exercise independent judgment

• Grasp new ideas and concepts

• Understand and use administrative and engineering computer applications and software (e.g., project management software, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Word, computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) with civil engineering modules, and GIS)

• Use drafting and survey instruments, and other engineering aids

• Operate personal computer, plotter, and other standard office equipment

• Interact, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including the public, other agencies and coworkers

• Work in a team based environment to resolve problems, achieve common goals, and successfully deliver projects

• Deal tactfully and courteously with others

• Focus on the important matters, effectively handle multiple priorities, organize workload and meet deadlines

• Make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions; and

• Bend, stoop, reach, carry, crawl, climb and lift as necessary to perform assigned duties

Additional Information: 

You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applications must be filled out completely (i.e. do not write “see resume or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and, 2) Resume. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. This recruitment is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on a bi-weekly basis. If you are interested in applying you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, before the position is closed.