City Engineer

City of Navasota

Job Description: City Engineer

Class No.                                                                                                                  Pay Group: 9

EEOC Category: Officials and Administrators                                                 FLSA: Exempt

Summary of Position

As a key member of the Executive Management team, the City Engineer reports to and partners with the Public Works Director. The City Engineer assumes a strategic role in the overall management of the City and acts as an advisor to departmental directors regarding development, engineering, and capital improvement projects. The City Engineer performs in a professional civil engineering position requiring the capability of independent and complex analysis in providing engineering services to the City. Additionally, this position oversees the Public Works Project Manager who works closely with private contractors on development projects within Navasota. This position directly assists on all strategic, tactical, and legislative matters that may financially or operationally impact the city.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.           

• Designs and/or manages capital improvement projects for public infrastructure (water, wastewater, natural gas, facilities, streets, and stormwater drainage).
• Reviews and comments on engineering construction plans, studies, and drainage reports as it relates to public infrastructure associated with property development to assure compliance with city standards.
• Administers the selection process of consultants, including advertising, reviewing bids, negotiating agreements, monitoring contracts, pay requests, and change orders.
• Manages master planning of water, wastewater, natural gas, roadway, and stormwater drainage systems to ensure the city’s infrastructure is adequate for current and future needs. Prepares the capital improvement program and prioritizes improvements to public infrastructure.
• Manages capital improvement projects through the oversight of project schedules, monitoring of budgets and specifications.
• Oversees the design and construction of contracted maintenance projects for water, wastewater, natural gas, facilities, streets, and stormwater drainage requiring engineering.
• Confers with city officials, developers, and community stakeholders to identify needs, develop and design projects, and assess impact of developments on existing infrastructure.
• Reviews development proposals and ensures requirements for infrastructure extensions and upgrades are performed in accordance with ordinances and city specifications with consideration of city’s capacity.

• Participates and coordinates activities with TxDOT, Union Pacific & BNSF Railroads, Texas Historical Commission (THC), as well as Grimes County officials.

• Assists in supervision and monitoring performance of third parties; assigning duties, scheduling work, and performance evaluation.

• Exercises independent judgment within broad policy guidelines; advises on specialized areas of technical expertise; assures the highest quality CIP projects are delivered on time and within budget.

• Performs related duties as required.

• Responds regularly and promptly to work.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA’s)

• The principles and practices of professional civil engineering and construction of municipal engineering projects.

• Land development, land surveying, and laws/ordinances pertaining to transportation.

• Safety standards, procedures, and precautions utilized in emergency response activities.

• Ability to identify concerns and recommend solutions; assures that all project and service issues are addressed and resolved in a timely manner.

• Ability to offer excellent customer service and interpersonal skills with stakeholders and co-workers.

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, and codes that govern construction.
• Skills in oral and written communication.

• Ability to interpret plans, maps, and specifications and to recognize divergence of plans in construction items.
• Knowledge of civil engineering processes.
• Leadership, decision-making, and building collaborative working relationships across all levels of personal interactions encountered during course of work.

• Experience in project management.

• Experience in managing large Capital Projects throughout the project lifecycle, including critical path analysis and submittal management.

• Skills in handling and prioritizing tasks.

• Perform the field investigation, design, and construction of municipal engineering projects.

• Learn department functions, regulations, policies, and procedures as required to complete tasks and assignments.

• Use spreadsheet and word processing applications (Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/Excel/Outlook) to prepare clear and concise correspondence, reports, forms, presentations, and other written materials.

• Read, write, and interpret technical specifications.

• Exercise considerable initiative, sound judgment, and collaborative skills.

• Maintain a high degree of organization, with attention to detail and accuracy.

• Work independently and/or in a team environment and maintain a professional demeanor.

• Handle multiple tasks, prioritize and organize work assignments, and meet established deadlines.

• Attend after-hour meetings (City Council, boards, commissions, homeowner associations, etc.) and advise on job-related issues as needed.

• Anticipate, identify, and effectively resolve various issues and problems.

• Comply with all City and department administrative directives, policies, and procedures.

• Demonstrate satisfactory work performance and attendance.

• Provide management with sound, positive advice, and information concerning the area of responsibility.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate with tact and diplomacy.

• Strong public contact and customer service skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Strong personal computer skills, with the ability to learn and utilize any job-specific software.

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work and communicate effectively with the public and other required entities.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil or mechanical engineering is required. Licensed as a Professional Engineer or able to obtained within a probational period.  Previously acquiring all work experience required by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers that is needed to sit for professional engineers’ exam is required. Understanding of municipal government is highly preferred. Must be able to pass a background check and drug screen.

Any work-related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above minimum qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.

Licenses, Certifications & Special Requirements

• Certification as a Professional Engineer.
• A minimum of four years of experience in engineering under a licensed P.E. as required to obtain their own license.

• Texas Class C driver’s license with a good driving record or ability to obtain the license within the timeframe set by the department.

Physical Demands/Supplemental

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 essential duties of this job, the employee is required to sit at a desk, as well as engage in tasks that involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (25 pounds). These essential duties include tasks that may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require visual and sound perception and discrimination and oral communications ability. May be subject to extended periods of standing and sitting during presentations or attending public and special events. May work extended hours, evenings, and weekends as needed.

Sensory Requirements:  The employee must be able to see clearly, with or without vision correction and able to recognize colors and adjust focus. Some tasks require oral communications ability.

Environmental Factors: 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 essential duties of this job, the employee constantly must present a positive attitude as a role model in the community. The employee frequently must work closely with others as part of and/or leader of a team, and must remain calm and professional in tense, emotionally charged, and stressful situations. The employee regularly must work under time pressures to meet deadlines and occasionally must perform multiple tasks simultaneously. The work environment characteristics of the employee’s essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Work is performed primarily in an office setting or a well-lighted and temperature-controlled working environment.  Occasional outdoor work (around creeks, drainage ways, etc.) is required to gather data and information for designs and to supervise construction activities.

Supplemental: Work shall be performed with tools, appliances, and equipment approved by those agencies and bodies that have control, authority, or approval of the design working ranges or limitations of those items; the employee has the responsibility to conform to those ranges and limitations. Equipment may include, but is not limited to, theodolite, surveyor’s rod, fire hydrant flow tester and pressure monitor, multi-line telephone, computer, printer, fax, copier, scanner, calculator, and vehicle. Primary software used includes: ESRI ArcGIS Desktop (ArcMap, ArcCatalog, ArcReader), Autodesk (AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, Civil 3D), and Bentley (WaterGEMS; Microstation). Other software used includes Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed as of the date of preparation and approval. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and all requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.