ASSISTANT CITY ENGINEER

City of Vero Beach; Vero Beach (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Vero Beach is seeking an experienced engineering manager to lead day-to-day Public Works engineering activities, oversee project design, budgeting, and policy implementation, and coordinate with city officials.

The role requires a Civil Engineering degree, PE license in Florida, and at least three years of supervisory civil engineering experience; Master’s may substitute for one year. Strong leadership and communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• Three years of full-time supervisory professional civil engineering/public works experience.
• Master’s degree may substitute for one year of experience.
• Valid Florida Driver’s License.
• Professional Engineer (PE) in Florida.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prioritize, and direct overall engineering design for Public Works projects.
• Review and approve permit applications for development projects.
• Supervise engineering staff and manage budgets.
• Represent the City at meetings with officials and regulatory agencies.
• Ensure compliance with NPDES and Basin Management Action Plan programs.
• Oversee design and construction of Public Works projects.
• Respond to inquiries and public concerns related to traffic and stormwater.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Budgeting

Project management

Public works

Communication

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree may substitute for 1 year

Job description

Under limited direction, manages and directs the day-to-day operations of the engineering functions for the Public Works Department and performs related duties as assigned.

The following duties have been provided as examples of the essential types of work performed by positions within this job classification. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.

• Plans, prioritizes, and directs overall engineering design and identifies project needs. Duties include developing and implementing policies, procedures and annual budgets.
• Reviews/approves permit applications for a variety of commercial and residential development projects.
• Creates, reviews and evaluates designs, specifications, surveys, and cost estimates for various roadway, stormwater, environmental, traffic and related engineering projects.
• Responds to and resolves sensitive and complex inquiries and concerns including requests from the City Manager and elected officials. Researches and responds appropriately to public concerns related to traffic, stormwater, development and other applicable inquiries.
• Represents the City at various meetings and conferences and interacts with a wide range of officials, regulatory agencies, department directors, coworkers and the public.
• Establishes work priorities, monitors work progress, develops and monitors operating budgets and approves purchases and expenditures.
• Supervises professional and support employees as assigned within the Engineering and Survey Division. Delegates, schedules, guides and monitors work. Appraises employee performance. Counsels, motivates and maintains harmony. Identifies and resolves staff differences, conflicts and deficiencies. Interviews applicants and recommends hiring, discipline, termination, merit pay, promotion or other employee status changes. Enforces personnel rules and regulations and work behavior standards firmly and impartially.
• Ensures compliance with requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and the Basin Management Action Plan programs. Facilitates public and employee education efforts. Selects and implements projects as needed and tracks maintenance operations. Quickly resolves illicit discharge issues.
• Manages Public Works projects. Oversees the design and construction for various Public Works projects. Provides effective solutions for conflicts and issues that arise during construction.

Managerial/technical/professional:

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state and local laws, regulations, rules and ordinances related to municipal public works engineering operations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of public administration principles and practices, including budgeting, fiscal administration, management and long-range planning policies, practices and procedures.
• Ability to plan, review, and implement a variety of public works oriented engineering projects.
• Substantial understanding of environmental impacts and mitigation techniques related to development and stormwater runoff.

Problem Solving:

• Skill in analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals.
• Skill in researching, evaluating, and using new methods and techniques for operational improvements.
• Ability to interpret oral, written, technical information and data dealing with complex variables to identify, analyze and solve problems of considerable difficulty.

Human Resource Management:

• Knowledge of supervisory techniques, and pertinent federal, state and local human resource management rules.
• Skill in planning, organizing, assigning and coordinating the activities of professional, technical and hourly staff.

Communication:

• Skill in dealing constructively with conflict and responding with tact, composure and courtesy when dealing with individuals who may be experiencing significant stress.
• Skill in applying appropriate public relations techniques as situations warrant and in forming cooperative relationships with others whom do not have a direct reporting relationship.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, department directors, regulatory agencies, employees and the general public.
• Ability to express ideas clearly when providing oral and written reports and recommendations on administrative, financial, and technical issues.

OTHER JOB CHARACTERISTICS:

• On-call twenty-four (24) hours for emergencies.
• May work extended hours including nights and weekends.

Education/Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field and three (3) years full-time supervisory professional level civil engineering, public works, or closely related work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Business or Public Administration, or closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Licenses/Certification:

Possession of a valid Florida Driver’s License. Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Florida.