City Engineer

City of Mount Vernon; Mount Vernon (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Mount Vernon seeks a City Engineer to lead the Engineering Division, directing engineering staff and coordinating citywide public works projects from design to construction. The role requires substantial experience in budgeting, supervision, and civil engineering within a municipal setting, with a PE license in Ohio preferred.

The incumbent will manage plans, review proposals, and ensure projects align with schedules and regulations, while advancing long-range capital plans and

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering is required.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in Ohio is required.
• Minimum five years of civil engineering experience, preferably in public works.
• Minimum five years of supervisory experience.
• Minimum five years of budgeting experience.
• CFM preferred; must obtain within two years of hire.
• ODOD LPA certifications; Ohio Department of Transportation.
• Valid Ohio driver's license and insurability.

Responsibilities

• Directs professional and subprofessional Engineering personnel and supervises field survey teams and office staff.
• Oversees planning, design, cost estimating, contracting, and inspection of city projects such as streets and waterlines.
• Prepares or approves specifications and construction methods and revisions.
• Advises developers, contractors, and the public on sewer, water, and drainage solutions; reviews plans and approves or revises as needed.
• Prepares bid tabulations and recommends funds approvals; visits construction sites to monitor progress.
• Develops and manages departmental budget and long-range capital improvement plan.
• Leads coordination across divisions and chairs meetings to prioritize projects within budget.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Budgeting

Interpersonal communication

Public works knowledge

Department leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) in Ohio

Tools

Microsoft Suite

Bluebeam Revu

Autodesk Civil 3D

HydroCAD

HEC-RAS

HY-8

QGIS

Google applications

Adobe Acrobat

iWorQ

ESRI Suite

Job description

Under the administrative direction of the Safety Service Director, the City Engineer plans, directs, and administers engineering functions within the Engineering Division to include designing and preparing plans, specifications, cost estimates, contract documents, etc. for a variety of public works projects; reviews plans submitted by other professionals and requires revisions as needed; performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.
• Registered as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Ohio, required.
• Five (5) years of experience in civil engineering, preferably within a public works or municipal environment.
• Five (5) years of experience working with engineering staff, technicians, and/or surveyors.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Five (5) years of budgeting experience.
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification through the Association of State Floodplain Managers is preferred; candidates must obtain certification within two (2) years of hire date.
• ODOD LPA certifications; Ohio Department of Transportation
• Possession of valid State of Ohio Driver’s License and ability to maintain insurability under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.

Example of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Directs professional and subprofessional Engineering personnel in performance of their duties and responsibilities (i.e., supervises field survey teams in obtaining data necessary for development of construction plans and specifications. Directs office personnel in preparing maps, drawings, etc.)
• Maintains authority and/or participates in management responsibilities and decisions such as, but not limited to: discipline, hiring, training, promoting, adjusting grievances, assignments, motivating, employee evaluations, etc. Provides direction, answers questions, motivates personnel on appropriate engineering areas, job safety and other related areas.
• Directs the planning, design, cost estimating, contracting and inspection of City engineering projects including the construction or upgrading of streets, sidewalks, waterlines, etc. confers with consulting firms and other professional engineers in construction planning function. Insures that City projects are completed in accordance with approved time schedules.
• Prepares or supervises the preparation of and gives final approval to specifications, construction methods, material types, etc. to be utilized in construction. Approves proposed changes in construction design and specifications for ongoing construction projects.
• Responds to inquiries and offers advice to developers, contractors, and the general public regarding the most desirable/acceptable method of solving sewer line, waterline, and drainage problems; reviews plans submitted by engineers, contractors, developers, and the general public. Approves plans or recommends necessary revisions.
• Prepares bid tabulations from contractors’ proposals to submit to the Board of Control for approval of funds. Provides recommendations and provides related information as requested.
• Visits construction sites to inspect ongoing projects as necessary. Recommends solutions to problems as requested. Ensures that construction proceeds in accordance with approved plans and specifications.
• Develops departmental budget for submittal to proper authority for approval.
• Coordinates and develops City-wide long-range capital improvement plan. Schedules and chairs meetings with all affected division heads. Facilitates prioritization of projects to meet existing budgetary limitations. Submits same to proper authority for approval.
• Establishes and directs the maintenance of a filing system to organize engineering records and documents in a readily retrievable order.
• Prepares and/or approves legal descriptions for easements, right-of-way dedications and parcels of land. Assists in negotiation for easements and deeds.
• Supervises the use and establishes the need of computer and software in engineering applications.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others and to have knowledge of and compliance with OSHA regulations connected with job responsibilities.
• The position requires a high level of interpersonal and communication skills such as persuading others to take action, resolving agreements or making presentations.
• This role requires responsibility and provides opportunity for achieving major economies and/or preventing major losses through the management of a large department; through authorizing the expenditure of very large amounts of money; through complex purchasing of materials, supplies, and equipment; through engineering of extensive construction or other projects; or through supervision of public property protection activity.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Performs related non-essential functions as required.

I.JOB REQUIREMENTS

Equipment

Ability to operate survey equipment, soil probe/shovel, manhole pick, City car or truck, boat, and chainsaw. Ability to operate a GNSS Receiver/Controller, push camera, a variety of office equipment such as PC/Laptop/iPad and related software, copier, scanner, telephone, calculator, FAX machine, and other equipment necessary to perform duties. Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of professional engineering principles and practices, design, and construction methods and materials.
• Knowledge of cost project methods.
• Knowledge of advanced math, science, drawings, language arts, communication and finance.
• Knowledge of contracts and law.
• Knowledge of industry standards for city infrastructure.
• Knowledge of government operations at all levels.
• Knowledge of standard construction inspection procedures.
• Knowledge of public works administrative policy and procedures.
• Traffic analysis, roadway design, surveying procedures and familiarity with the regulations and practices governing water distribution, sanitary sewer collection and storm water management, and other aspects of municipal civil engineering.
• Environmental law pertaining to infrastructure development.
• Knowledge of the following software: Microsoft Suite, Bluebeam Revu, Autodesk Civil 3D, HydroCAD, HEC‑RAS, HY‑8, QGIS, Google applications, Adobe Acrobat, iWorQ, ESRI Suite, Authority Finance.

Skills

• Skills in vast areas of engineering and construction.
• Skills in making intergovernmental agreements.
• Skills in grant writing and implementation.
• Skills in making technical presentation to lay audiences.
• Skilled in communications to all levels of stakeholders (i.e. construction workers to US Senators).
• Skills in planning, designing, and executing projects including federal funded projects.
• Construction contract administration and documentation, construction management, practices, methods, and procedures including materials properties and equipment capabilities.
• Providing necessary effective leadership to personnel and to develop cooperative working relationships with employees, management, and vendors.
• Skilled in problem solving.

Abilities

• Ability to develop comprehensive plans and specification for construction projects.
• Ability to identify existing or potential construction violations and formulate viable solutions.
• Ability to anticipate future material, supply, and manpower requirements.
• Ability to negotiate effectively.
• Ability to write legal descriptions.
• Ability to analyze engineering plans and specifications.
• Ability to supervise exempt and non‑exempt personnel.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with associates, contractors, officials and the general public.
• Ability to evaluate plans and specifications for conformance with sound engineering practices.
• Review and analyze detailed engineering plans, technical specifications, and calculations to determine compliance with all applicable City construction standards, design criteria, codes, regulations, ordinances, and policies.
• Research and assemble technical data to prepare meaningful, concise, and accurate reports and presentations.
• Effectively analyze unforeseen conditions, conflicts, situations, and construction problems and determine sound acceptable solutions and necessary action to be implemented to resolve such situations.
• Effectively plan, organize, schedule, and prioritize work assignments and tasks of various department personnel.
• Communicate in order to effectively interact with peers, supervisors, other agencies, property owners, contractors, consultants, and the general public in a tactful, courteous, and professional manner.
• Ability to schedule and allocate resources in the office and field.
• Advanced project management of over 75+ projects.
• The ability to plan, design and construct projects on time, within budget, and safely.
• The ability to work in an environment of consistent interruptions and changing priorities.
• Ability to be an expert witness in ongoing cases.
• Ability to solve complicated problems on short notice with limited information.
• Ability to get along with others.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK

The duties of this position will be performed throughout the City of Mount Vernon. The incumbent may encounter any type of environmental conditions: hot, cold, damp, inside, outside, underground, wet, humid, dry, noisy, dirty, greasy, air‑conditioned, sudden temperature changes, etc. Additional duties may require position holder to ascend and/or descend ladders, stairs, or scaffolds.

This position will require work in a confined space, in the vicinity of trench boxes, and in an area in which the means of egress is or can be obstructed. Works on and around platforms and/or vehicle mounted platforms and is exposed to environmental conditions which may result in injury from fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, and/or poorly ventilated work areas. The incumbent will be expected to work alone, around others, under stress, under minimal supervision, and under deadlines.

This position is exposed to possible injury from hazardous gases, chemicals, flammables, radiation, or air contaminants. It is exposed to possible injury from hazardous waste, possible injury due to unclean or unsanitary conditions, possible injury as a result of electrical shock and is exposed to possible injury as a result of working with moving mechanical parts of construction equipment or machines. This position is at risk of possible injury from life threatening situations, explosions and possible injury as a result of falling from high places. The role has exposure to shaking objects or surfaces and second‑hand smoke.

The duties of this position use or works in proximity to the use of firearms and works in or around crowds. The role has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons and risk for exposure to potentially vicious animals. The City Engineer must be available to work second or third shift, if needed.

III. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Supervises the Engineering Department in accordance with the organizational chart of the Department. This would include union and non‑union personnel, construction contractors and engineering/architect(s) consultants.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS

Contact is with contractors, consultants, developers, property owners, tenants, individuals from public and private sector organizations and the general public. Additional contact is with co‑workers and colleagues within the City. The purpose of these contacts is to guide and direct, check on progress of work assigned, coordinating services, job development/referrals, make recommendations and handle questions about department, programs, and customer concerns.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements of the position are identified as heavy work, which may require the lifting of up to fifty (50) pounds. For example: picking manhole lids, lifting construction materials, and boxes.

Physical Activity

The physical activity of the position is manual dexterity, talking, hearing, lifting, pushing, pulling, reaching, and walking.

Visual Activity

This position requires the use of a dual (or triple) monitor computer set‑up; depending on preference.

Job Location

The work conditions for the position indicate that the individual is exposed to adverse environmental conditions.