Assistant Engineer

City of Merced; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Merced is seeking an entry to professional level engineer to perform advanced technical and paraprofessional office and field work for the Engineering Department. You will prepare plans, designs, and specifications for numerous City projects, review consultants' work, and prepare engineering reports.

The incumbent will assist with project development, contract administration, and site inspections, contributing to multiple capital improvements.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of civil engineering theory, principles and practices as applied to public works projects.
• Ability to perform paraprofessional engineering work and assist in plans, specs, and design.
• Familiarity with inspection, contract administration, and project documentation.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the preparation and evaluation of designs, plans, and specifications for streets, water, wastewater, drainage, and related projects.
• Perform project development and planning, contract administration, and construction inspection; ensure contractors meet standards, costs, and schedules.
• Receive and respond to public inquiries; research data and provide answers for engineers and contractors.
• Collect, organize, summarize, and analyze technical engineering data.
• Assist with grant proposals and environmental reviews; perform field surveys and data reduction.

Skills

Civil engineering theory

Contract administration

Construction inspection

Data collection and analysis

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Tools

Computers & office software

Job description

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, perform a variety of advanced technical and paraprofessional office and field engineering work for the Engineering Department's services, activities, and functions; prepare plans, designs, and specifications for a variety of City projects; review work prepared by outside consultants; prepare engineering reports; and perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is an entry and first working level classification for the performance of paraprofessional and professional engineering work. Incumbents should have considerable training in engineering theory and principles and/or technical engineering work experience. Incumbents perform a variety of paraprofessional and basic professional engineering assignments as they become familiar with operations and policies of the City Engineering Department. This class is distinguished from the Associate Engineer by the Associate Engineer's registration as a professional civil engineer.

REPORTS TO

City Engineer, Senior Engineer, Associate Engineer, or designee.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

This is not a supervisory class.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Assist with the preparation and evaluation of designs, preliminary and final plans, and specifications for a variety of streets, water and wastewater treatment facilities, airport, drainage system, and related capital improvements projects.
2. Perform project development and planning; perform resident engineer work as necessary, performing contract administration, construction inspection, and project administration; ensure that contractors meet proper standards, specification requirements, cost controls, and time requirements; approve change orders and process payments and assist with foundation and hydrology studies.
3. Receive and respond to public inquiries regarding City engineering standards; research data and provide answers for engineers and contractors.
4. Collect, organize, summarize, and analyze a variety of technical engineering data.
5. Assist with grant proposals and administration.
6. Assist with engineering reviews of environmental impact reports; assist with preparation of preliminary reports for tentative subdivision map conditions; and perform field surveys and use a computer to reduce survey data.
7. Perform engineering calculations; develop data for the acquisition of right-of-way; prepare engineering cost estimates; review laboratory reports and analyze the quality and compliance of materials; and assist with traffic studies and develop and propose solutions to engineering problems.
8. Review and approve applications for the issuance of permits.
9. As assigned, represent the City in interagency or other public meetings.
10. Represent the City Engineering Department in meetings with contractors, engineers, developers, property owners, attorneys, and representatives of other public agencies as necessary.
11. Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services, and activities of a comprehensive engineering program.
• Theory, principles, and practices of civil engineering and their application to the design, preparation of engineering specifications, and construction of public works facilities, including streets, drainage systems, airports, and water and wastewater facilities.
• Laws, rules, regulations, and policies affecting public works engineering.
• Principles and practices of construction methods, materials, and equipment.
• Principles and practices of private development projects.
• Proper inspection methods and procedures.
• Contract development and administration.
• Uses of computers and computer applications in engineering work.
• Principles and practices of public relations.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety procedures.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to:

• Assist with planning, organizing, and completing a variety of engineering projects.
• Perform complex paraprofessional engineering work in the preparation of plans, designs, and specifications for public works facility development, construction, and maintenance.
• Review designs, plans, and specifications prepared by others.
• Prepare a variety of engineering reports.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community, organizational, and City Council issues, concerns, and needs.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Gather, organize, analyze, and present a variety of technical engineering and statistical data.
• Perform construction project administration, ensuring compliance with plans, specifications, and contracts.
• Effectively represent the City Engineering Division in contracts with the public, other City staff, and other government agencies.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, software, and database applications.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education/Training:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field.

Experience:

One year of increasingly responsible experience in civil engineering, planning development, construction, or maintenance of public works facilities.

License or Certificate:

Possession of an appropriate California Driver License.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein 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 these essential job functions.

Environment

Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment with some travel to different sites; occasional work outside with some exposure to weather and temperature variances; and exposure to dust, frequent contact with other staff and the public.

Physical

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift and move objects weighing up to 25 pounds; to see in the normal range with or without correction; to hear in the normal range with or without correction; verbal communication; and use of engineering and office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, and FAX.