Senior Civil Engineer, Traffic Division

Job Description:

Senior Civil Engineer, Traffic Division

Description

DESCRIPTION

The Senior Civil Engineer plans, supervises, coordinates, assigns, and participates in a major engineering section; provides complex professional and technical engineering support relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Additionally, as the Engineer in the Traffic division, plans, organizes, directs, and participates in the development, operation and maintenance of the Citywide traffic signal and fiber optic network; assumes responsibility for all transportation planning and the review of development plans as they pertain to the City's transportation system.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the supervisory level in the Civil Engineer series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classifications within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, amount of time spent performing the duties, nature of the public contact made, and direct supervision. Senior Civil Engineers receive direction from higher level management of the Department of Public Works, and perform the most difficult and responsible duties assigned to classes within this series, and may provide direct supervision over assigned staff including Registered Engineers. Senior Civil Engineers are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide complex professional and technical engineering support services relative to assigned area of responsibility.
• Manage and/or participate in the preparation of complex engineering studies and reports related to public works, utilities, and capital improvement projects according to assignment; oversee coordination of activities with other City departments, divisions, outside agencies, citizens, consultants, and developers.
• Manage the most complex and difficult engineering projects; develop and monitor project schedules and budget; ensure project funding.
• Supervise , train, motivate, direct,review, and evaluate the work of staff involved in technical and professional engineering duties; participate in the activities of a major section within the engineering division.
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline procedures; write performance evaluations.
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of policies, procedures, goals, and objectives; establish schedules and methods for building inspection and permitting activities.
• Evaluate operations and activities of assigned responsibilities; recommend improvements and modifications; prepare various reports on operations and activities.
• Oversee and participate in the review of all private development proposals including subdivision and parcel maps; recommend for or against approval.
• Interpret and apply relevant codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
• Prepare and/or review improvement agreements.
• Coordinate and oversee the preparation, updating, and maintenance of maps and records.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of engineering designs, specifications, and cost estimates for a wide variety of capital improvement projects.
• Check plans for accuracy, suitability, and completeness, and make recommendations for revision and improvement.
• Review specifications for composition and accuracy.
• Meet and confer with developers, contractors, engineers, and the general public relative to City policies, regulations, and procedures, coordinate discrepancies and problem situations with outside parties.
• Administer and/or oversee the administration of contracts; review and approve all payments and billings for contracted services.
• Oversee and participate in the review of projects under construction in the field; coordinate the activities of the inspection unit; resolve complaints and problems in the field between the inspectors and developers, contractors, and/or engineers.
• Coordinate activities with other departments and divisions as appropriate.
• Serve as a departmental or staff representative for a variety of City and outside commissions, boards, and committees as assigned.
• Conduct special engineering studies relative to assigned area of responsibility; prepare appropriate reports and analyses.
• Perform related work as required.

EXPERIENCE & TRAINING / LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE

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

Education:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering.

Experience:

Four years of increasingly responsible civil engineering experience including significant supervisory responsibilities; OR two years of experience as an Associate Engineer with the City of Palmdale.

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:

Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a professional civil engineer in the State of California is required within six months of appointment.

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license by the time of appointment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of professional engineering as applied to new development and municipal public works.
• Applicable laws and regulatory codes related to development, design, and construction.
• Methods and techniques used in the design, construction, and surveying of a variety of public works projects.
• Principles of organization, administration, and human resources management.
• Principles and practices of leadership, supervision, training, and performance evaluations.
• Principles and practices of budget monitoring and contract administration
• Principles and practices of safety management, as applied to public works construction or repair projects.
• Pertinent local, state, and federal laws, ordinances, and rules including CEQA regulations.
• Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding civil and structural engineering.
• Principles and practices of project management.

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply applicable codes, ordinances, rules, and regulations related to development and construction.
• Interpret, review, and analyze development proposals, plans, and specifications.
• Perform complex engineering computations and check, design, and oversee the construction of a variety of public works projects.
• Perform professional and technical civil engineering services relative to assigned area of responsibility.
• Organize, implement, and direct professional engineering operations and activities.
• Assist in the development and monitoring of an assigned program and project budgets.
• Develop and recommend policies and procedures related to assigned operations.
• Conduct comprehensive engineering studies and prepare reports with appropriate recommendations.
• Administer and monitor contracts effectively.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Supervise, lead, train, and evaluate the work performed by assigned staff in an effective manner.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, bending, and squatting.

Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment.

Incumbents in this class may be required to work during irregular business hours on an occasional basis, including evenings and weekends. Travel may be required on an occasional basis.

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home."

Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.

INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

*Benefits can change at any time.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$128,564.80 - $141,856.00 Annually