CITY ENGINEER

City Engineer

FLSA: Administrative exemption

Summary: An incumbent in this position is responsible for performing professional civil engineering and responsible administrative work in the designing, planning, and inspecting municipal construction and engineering projects; planning, directing and coordinating city engineering, electrical engineering, traffic control systems, street lighting systems; storm water management; regulatory compliance; budget development; and assisting in the administration of the Department of Public Works when assigned.

Supervision

Supervision Received: Works independently under supervision of the Director of Department of Public Works.

Supervision Given: Substantial supervisory responsibilities of staff and contractors assigned to assist Engineer.

Job Environment

• The environment in City Hall is one of a typical business office environment, with electro-mechanical computer and telecommunications-related equipment; exposure to noise from shredders, printers, copiers, telephones, and other computer-related equipment.
• Operates PC-based computer system and other office equipment.
• Various responsibilities may require employee to conduct evaluations and/or inspection outdoors.
• Field work may require work outdoors in varying weather patterns and temperatures beyond the control of management.

Essential Functions

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position:

• Provides detailed technical evaluation and civil engineering expertise of regional projects or programs impacting the City. Makes decisions as allowed or required by City code or as applied through conditions of permit approval.
• Directs and administers municipal engineering and other operations including the design and inspection of all public works projects in excess of $25,000.
• Directs and coordinates survey work on construction, including preliminary layout and final inspection.
• Reviews all record drawings completed as part of a public works project and ensures that the data gets input into the City’s GIS system.
• Performs the duties of Street Administrator in accordance with Public Act 51.
• Act as the City’s representative on the Federal Aid Committee (FAC)
• Performs the duties related to compliance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (N.P.D.E.S.) permit related to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4).
• Develops Capital Improvement and Asset Management plans for all city facilities, streets, and storm sewer.
• Plans and programs future work activities and street improvements.
• Assists Purchasing Agent in preparing Request for Proposal (RFP) for engineering services on proposed public works improvement projects.
• Determines the need and order the layout of utilities, roads, street lighting, and street signage.
• Monitors A.D.A compliance on all transportation and public works related items.
• Issues right-of-way and permits to utilities, contractors, and developers.
• Directs and administers the MISSDIG marking activities.
• Reviews and approves development plans involving the public right-of-way, City-owned utilities, and private developments
• Conducts field inspections of construction and other engineering activities.
• Assists the Director of Public Works in supervising the activities in the department when assigned.
• Provides oversight of the following: consultant requests for proposal for professionals and/or construction services; evaluation of proposals and recommendation for project award; negotiation and administration of contracts for construction projects; contractor compliance with City Standards and Specifications, time and budget estimates; resolution of complex problems that may arise; recommends and approves field changes as required.
• Assists in planning, directing and coordinating the Public Works Department’s work plan; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Serves as a liaison for the Public Works Department with other City Departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings, as necessary; provides staff support to commissions, committees and task forces.
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• Assists in coordinating, analyzing, and improving various municipal functions, and services.
• Manages operations and the closing of the City's landfill.
• Prepares correspondence, records, and reports.
• Attends City Council Meetings, as required.
• Develops the engineering budgets as part of the annual budgeting process.
• Reviews and approves all contractor pay requests for public works projects.
• Develops and updates engineering fee schedules.
• Develops and updates design standards, ordinances, permits, applications and other engineering regulatory items as required.

Typical Assignments

Administration

• Supervises the maintenance of a detailed records system showing the location of streets, sewers, water distribution systems, sidewalks, and other public improvements.

Communication

• Consults with other officials regarding traffic control and safety.
• Provides technical information and recommendations to the Director of Public Works and the Mayor.
• Makes presentations to City Council on public works projects
• Prepares and submits regulatory compliance reports to EGLE, TAMC, OCDPH, and others.
• Prepares and submits City Council agenda memos as required.
• Meets with other regulatory and utility agencies to coordinate infrastructure improvements.

Public Relations

• Investigates and responds to citizen complaints pertaining to engineering and related activities.
• Performs responsible public contact activities.
• Conducts public input sessions on public works projects.

Recommended Minimal Qualifications

Education, Training, and Experience: Master’s degree in engineering and at least three years’ experience in civil engineering. In lieu of a master’s degree, the City Engineer shall have a bachelor’s degree in engineering and at least five years’ experience in civil engineering. The City Engineer shall be a licensed engineer in the State of Michigan at the time of hire.

An employee in this classification must possess upon hire and maintain a valid Michigan Operators license.

Knowledge, Ability, and Skill:

Knowledge:

• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of professional civil engineering, particularly as related to municipal public works and related activities.
• Considerable knowledge of construction methods, materials and equipment related to road construction, sewer, water distribution systems, street lighting, traffic signal, other electrical systems and equipment, and other public improvement.
• Considerable knowledge of City charter and ordinance provisions, state requirements, and other regulations regarding public works activities.
• Considerable knowledge of traffic control problems and the principles, methods and equipment utilized in solving them.
• Working knowledge of traffic engineering activities involving the study and design of complex patterns and the layout of traffic signals.
• Working knowledge of basic principles and practices of City planning and zoning.
• Working knowledge of the basic principles and practices related to architectural planning and design.

Ability:

• Ability to understand, speak, and write in the English language.
• Ability to read and interpret documents and write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before a group of persons.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks accurately and efficiently under time constraints.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and maintain confidentiality when necessary.
• Ability to review several diverse reference sources and select and synthesize data for reports and other forms of correspondence.
• Ability to direct, review, and evaluate the work of other employees, as required.
• Ability to make decisions and take necessary actions.
• Ability to maintain composure during stressful situations.
• Ability to efficiently handle multiple tasks requiring a high degree of attention to detail.
• Ability to plan, organize, and participate in a wide variety of engineering, planning, inspection and maintenance activities.
• Ability to develop plans and make decisions on complex engineering problems.
• Ability to work effectively with the public, other officials and employees.
• Ability to perform complex mathematical equations in order to create and read engineering plans.

Skills:

• Computer skills that encompass effective use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, computerized maintenance management software, GIS, email, and Internet browser software.
• Photography skills to document site conditions and work performed in the public right-of-way.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimal physical effort required to perform work under typical office conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and stand; must regularly lift and or move items up to ten pounds, frequently lift items up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift or move items up to 50 pounds; be able to clearly hear constituents when speaking in person or on the telephone. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus[SF1] .

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.