Facilities Engineer

Department: Planning and Community Development

Reports To: Director of Planning and Community Development

FLSA Status: Exempt

Time Status: Full Time

SUMMARY: The employee in this job shall function as the professional facilities engineer, completing or overseeing a variety of assignments related to the construction, remodeling, renovation, and maintenance of buildings, facilities, roads, and utilities. Works under the supervision of the Director of Planning and Community Development of the Squaxin Island Tribe (SIT). Provides technical support and assistance on: community water systems, community wastewater systems, transportation programs, facilities maintenance, energy & sustainability programs, housing facilities maintenance and repair, capital improvements, and new facility construction.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Provide professional engineering services and technical assistance to SIT Utilities with the monitoring, operation, repair, planning, construction, reporting, and training for the Community Water System.
• Provide professional engineering services and technical assistance to help manage the SIT Indian Reservation Roads (IRR) and BIA Road Maintenance programs, including roads construction, roads maintenance, transportation planning and safety.
• Lead in annual facility condition surveys to collect necessary information to create Building Operation Plans, Systems Narrative, Sequence of Operation and Preventative Maintenance Plans.
• Improves sustainability of facilities in line with industry best practices such as Envision™ and beyond. Works with staff, vendors and suppliers to implement, document, and monitor sustainable operations and procurement. Support sustainability certification of projects as requested.
• Examines and approves engineering and architectural drawings and design computations for SIT buildings and facilities to ensure compliance with sound engineering practices, and established standards, codes, and regulations.
• Conducts health and safety surveys of structures and oversees implementation of maintenance plans for associated equipment.
• Acts as technical liaison for non-technical staff during project planning. Participates in and contributes to collaborative, multi-disciplinary project planning teams; this includes Squaxin Island Tribe’ Master Plan for a sustainable future.
• Plan, coordinate and oversee tasks related to the construction, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater systems, including mains, services lines, lift and pump stations, valves, etc.; monitor and inspect the installation of sewer and water lines and other system components.
• Estimates cost of projects, capital maintenance plans and facilities improvements, and writes scopes of work and specifications for labor, materials, and equipment for facility projects.
• Responsible for managing bid cycles for the acquisition of professional services according to Tribal policies. Duties will include, but are not limited to, developing scopes of work, preparation of RFQ and RFP documents, overseeing the selection process, and negotiating contracts.
• Works with Tribal attorneys and vendors in contract negotiations, being responsible for contract compliance.
• Serves as project manager on comprehensive engineering design projects; sets project parameters, evaluates compliance with project and engineering standards, and approves final designs and installations. Inspects materials, workmanship, and architectural, mechanical and electrical installations for conformance to plans and specifications.
• Assists the Construction Manager of Planning and Community Development and other members of project teams with planning of capital improvement projects. Provides expertise and recommendations on final inspections for new projects. Reviews plans and makes recommendations to Facilities Manager regarding utilities for new projects.
• Conducts correspondence involving technical problems concerning engineering standards and code requirements.
• Designs and prepares plans for facility projects through use of a computer-aided design system.
• Maintains records and prepares reports and correspondence related to the work. Provides project documentation to funding agencies.
• Provide staff support to the SIT Utility Commission, including: scheduling meetings, updating by-laws and other documents, recommending rate schedule changes, implementing decisions of the Utilities Commission. Monitor and/or manages the SIT Utilities budgets, and makes recommendations for related budget requests.
• Collaborates with Facilities Manager in writing operating procedures, including permit and approval process for entities wishing to connect to utility systems of the SIT.
• Performs other related work, as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of engineering principles and practices of the facilities engineering service.
• Knowledge of the standards, codes, and regulations pertaining to the construction, and maintenance of structures and facilities.
• Knowledge of modern material, methods, and techniques of design, construction, installation, and maintenance of structures and facilities.
• Knowledge of the development and use of contracts, estimates, and specifications.
• Knowledge of the elements of cost in construction and maintenance, including the determination of unit cost records.
• Knowledge of building construction processes and procedures, equipment, tools, materials, and their application.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about SIT building codes and regulations (International Building Codes), and other applicable state, federal, and local building codes and standards.
• Knowledge of inspection and investigation techniques.
• Skill in the use of engineering instruments and tools.
• Ability to prepare contracts and specifications.
• Ability to make engineering designs and to prepare complete plans for projects.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, drawings, and specifications.
• Ability to analyze costs of construction projects.
• Ability to determine compliance of structures with specifications.
• Ability to learn and utilize the computer aided design system (AutoCAD).
• Ability to maintain records, and prepare reports and correspondence related to the work.
• Ability to use computers and available software to maintain records and prepare technical reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively with others.
• Ability to maintain favorable public relations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: This position does not have first line supervisory responsibilities but must facilitate and monitor assignments of project teams’ members.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: All education and experience levels must have a minimum of two years project management experience preferably in utilities management, construction or related field; a related field may include experience in public works, facility maintenance, utility management and/or construction.

A Master’s Degree in Engineering or closely related field with two years related experience, and WA licensed SE or PE; OR Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering with four (4) years of experience in a related field.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret: general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, land surveys, building drawings, and flow diagrams, and governmental regulations. Must have the ability to write reports, write business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts, such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Able to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Ability to work with mathematical concepts, such as probability and statistical inference and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Able to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License, and a Professional Engineering certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. Reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. The vision requirements for this position are: close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet or humid conditions (non-weather), works near moving mechanical parts, works in high, precarious places, is exposed to fumes or airborne particles, works in outdoor weather conditions, and runs the risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, works in extreme cold and extreme heat (non-weather), works with explosives, and is exposed to vibrations. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee will often be required to wear personal protective equipment such as ear plugs and safety glasses.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE: The successful candidate will be required to have a urinalysis for drug and alcohol screening in accordance with the SIT Drug Free Workplace policy.

INDIAN PREFERENCE: Indian Preference will be exercised in the hiring of this position, in accordance with the SIT Personnel Policies.

TO APPLY: Submit application packets including a resume and cover letter to apply@squaxin.us Contact Human Resources for more information: 360-432-3865.