Assistant Civil Engineer

City of Lakewood (WA); Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Lakewood's Planning and Public Works Department seeks an Assistant Civil Engineer to review permits and development proposals, ensuring plans meet City standards and support public safety and environmental protection.

This AFSCME represented position helps modernize permitting processes, collaborates with applicants and City staff, and provides technical design and analysis for a wide range of public works projects including streets, stormwater and utilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or five years of increasingly responsible civil engineering experience.
• Experience reviewing engineering plans for public works projects.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD and related drafting/analysis tools; familiarity with traffic, stormwater and infrastructure concepts.

Responsibilities

• Review engineering permits and development proposals that shape how Lakewood grows and functions.
• Coordinate with applicants and City staff to resolve issues and keep projects moving.
• Prepare project progress reports, cost projections for grants and planning documents.
• Assure plans and design analyses comply with City, State and Federal codes and standards.
• Provide written and verbal reports and assist in directing staff on assigned projects.

Skills

Customer service mindset

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Excel

Word

Job description

Are you seeking an opportunity to work in a collaborative, diverse and dynamic Departmentwho isfocused on improving customer services and processes across several programs and services? The City of Lakewood’s Planning and Public Works Department is a diverse, dynamic and talented team of professionals working to improve the quality of life for all Lakewood residents. The Department is entrusted with a wide range of public services including community planning, building and maintaining transportation and stormwater infrastructure, managing the health of our lakes, permitting, human services and rental assistance, economic development and much more!

This position plays a key role in reviewing engineering permits and development proposals that shape how Lakewood grows and functions. The Assistant Civil Engineer will evaluate civil plans for streets, utilities, stormwater, access, oversize loads and other public infrastructure to ensure projects meet City standards and support public safety, public health and environmental protection.

Beyond technical plan review, this position will help improve and modernize the City’s permitting processes by identifying opportunities for greater efficiency and consistency and work collaboratively with applicants and City staff to resolve issues and keep projects moving. The ideal candidate will bring a customer-service mindset to engineering, helping applicants and the public navigate requirements while maintaining sound engineering practices and protecting the community and its infrastructure. This is an opportunity to have a direct and visible impact on development throughout Lakewood combining engineering expertise, problem-solving, process improvement and public service.

Under the direct supervision of the Engineering Services Division Manager or Capital Projects Division Manager, perform civil engineering work in connection with a variety of public works projects. Plan and conduct low to moderately complex design, engineering analysis, studies, and management of public works projects. Assist the Engineering Services Division Manager or Capital Projects Division Manager with coordination and direction of consultants on assigned projects and studies. The Assistant Civil Engineer assures construction within City rights-of-way is in compliance with applicable codes, standards, specifications, and practices. Communicate with agencies, the public, and City management. Answer questions, provide information, and resolve concerns and issues relating to public works projects.

This is an AFSCME represented position.

• Perform a variety of low to moderately complex engineering duties to assist with planning, design, and construction of public works projects.
• Develop specifications, quantity take offs, cost estimates, and plan reviews.
• Assure plans and design analysis for public works projects is in compliance with City, State, and Federal codes, and based on sound engineering practice.
• Prepare project progress reports and progress payments; prepare project cost projections for grants and planning documents and reports.
• Assure that contractors provide required documentation consistent with agency guidelines and department protocol.
• Provide written and verbal reports as necessary on assigned projects and activities.
• Prepare Federal and State Grant applications for local projects and administer the grants as established by grant program guidelines.
• Coordinate all grant billing activity through the Finance Department and maintain all necessary documentation for audits; maintain various project records and files as required.
• Perform technical design and analysis for public works projects such as transportation, traffic signals, street geometrics, and storm water conveyance systems.
• Prepare isometric drawings, perspectives, and working sketches and details in AutoCAD and manually.
• Provide project leadership, direction, and guidance to engineering technicians, construction inspectors, and interns on staff as requested by the Civil Engineer.
• Assist in directing the installation of traffic counters on arterial and residential streets as well as coordinate various work activities associated with the gathering of technical information such as maps, field data, and construction documentation.
• Operate a variety of computer equipment, as well as AutoCAD, word processing, and spreadsheet software to manipulate data and to prepare reports.
• Operate standard engineering equipment such as calculators, planimeters, and construction levels.
• Analyze and manipulate data to prepare traffic reports; operate traffic analysis software to generated reports on traffic volumes, speed, vehicle type, peak hour and average daily trips.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to: a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or five years of increasingly responsible civil engineering experience involving complex analysis and design work of storm drainage, sanitary sewer, water, and road systems.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Principles, practices and standards of civil engineering and surveying.
• Applicable City, State and Federal codes, ordinances, specifications, procedures and standards.
• Advanced methods, techniques and instruments used in engineering drafting, surveying and mathematics.
• Elements, objectives and operation of an integrated and comprehensive urban road and surface water management system.
• Hydraulics, storm water design and analysis and water quality treatment.
• Traffic engineering standards listed in AASHTO, MUTCD handbook, State DOT, ITE, and other traffic engineering standards and regulations.
• AutoCAD and other engineering software applications to generate and modify construction drawings.
• Engineering plans and specifications.
• Environmental policies and laws applicable to assigned engineering projects.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

ABILITY TO:

• Perform a variety of moderately complex and independent duties involving the application of engineering principles.
• Plan and coordinate public works construction projects.
• Assist with the development and completion of a variety of moderately complex public works, roads and surface water management projects and assignments.
• Communicate with agencies, consultants, the public and City management using tact, patience and courtesy to coordinate projects, answer questions, provide information and resolve concerns and issues.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Meet schedules and time lines.
• Use AutoCAD and other engineering software applications to generate and modify construction drawings.
• Perform general computer duties using miscellaneous software such as Excel and Word.
• Interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Observe legal and defensive driving practices.
• Maintain records and prepare comprehensive reports.
• Conduct field evaluations to review actual systems.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

ENVIRONMENT:

Work primarily in an office environment; however; must be able to work in the field gathering information and reviewing actual systems in all weather conditions and over rough terrain. May involve entering manholes, sewer lines, and/or lift stations. May be subject to loud noises, nearby traffic, and/or heavy construction equipment zones.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate office equipment, sitting and operating a keyboard for extended periods of time, hearing and speaking to exchange information. Walking at construction and outdoor sites, kneeling or crouching, bending, and seeing to perform inspections. Seeing to review blueprints, diagrams, maps, etc. Driving a vehicle to conduct work.

HAZARDS:

Working in confined spaces. Driving a vehicle during adverse weather conditions. Extremely loud noise level and potentially hazardous conditions in construction equipment zones and/or high traffic areas.