City Engineer

The City of Saginaw; Saginaw (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Saginaw seeks a City Engineer to lead the Engineering Division within the Department of Public Services. The role plans, designs, and maintains the city’s infrastructure, including streets, bridges, water, sewer, and traffic systems.

You will oversee projects, traffic operations, and asset management, while ensuring public safety and community well-being. You will supervise staff, manage budgets and CIP, and collaborate with officials and the public.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive engineering experience in design or project management within a municipality, county, state, other governmental agency or engineering consulting firm.
• Minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience, preferably in a union environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee design and review of infrastructure projects by consultants and staff.
• Act as project engineer for construction activities; ensure compliance with standards.
• Lead and supervise the Engineering division; assign work and evaluate performance.
• Prepare and administer budgets for Engineering and Traffic Engineering sections, CIP, and street revenues.
• Oversee traffic operations and maintenance; develop recommendations for traffic control regulations.
• Review development site plans related to site access, water/sewer, parking, and storm water.
• Develop and maintain asset management plans for streets, bridges, and signals; coordinate TIP.
• Maintain records for underground utilities, streets, bridges, signs, and signals.
• Investigate and resolve citizen concerns related to road right-of-way.
• Prepare and present technical reports and recommendations to leadership and public.
• Monitor legislation affecting engineering and road activities; represent department at meetings.
• Control expenditures and supervise work to maximize efficiency while ensuring policy compliance.

Skills

Project management

Staff supervision

Public communications

Technical reports

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Tools

CAD

GIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

The City Engineer leads and manages the Engineering Division within the Department of Public Services, including the Engineering and Traffic Engineering sections. This position plays a key role in planning, designing, and maintaining the City’s infrastructure systems. The City Engineer oversees engineering projects, traffic operations, street lighting, and related public works functions. The role also supports the development and delivery of infrastructure improvement projects that enhance public safety and community well-being.

1. Manages and oversees the design and review of infrastructure projects completed by consultants and internal staff, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal standards.
2. Acts as project engineer for construction activities, ensuring compliance with construction standards for state and federally funded projects.
3. Leads and supervises the Engineering division, including assigning work, evaluating performance, and addressing labor relations matters.
4. Prepares and administers the Engineering and Traffic Engineering sections budgets, including annual operating budgets, capital improvement plan (CIP), and major and local street revenue calculations.
5. Oversees traffic operation and maintenance activities, including the development of recommendations related to traffic control regulations.
6. Reviews development site plans as it pertains to site access, water and sewer services, parking lot layout, and storm water management.
7. Develops and maintains the City’s street, bridge, and traffic control system asset management plans, including the City’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) for federal funded projects.
8. Administers and maintains all records related to infrastructure assets such as underground utilities, streets, bridges, signs, and traffic signals.
9. Ensures timely investigation and resolution of citizen concerns related to road right-of-way infrastructure.
10. Prepares and presents technical reports and recommendations to City leadership, boards, and the public.
11. Monitors and implements applicable federal, state, and local legislation affecting engineering and road right-of-way activities.
12. Represents the department at meetings, including those held during evenings and weekends as required.
13. Monitors and controls expenditures to prevent unnecessary or inefficient spending, while planning, assigning, and supervising work to maximize efficiency and minimize waste of time, materials, and resources, and ensuring compliance with policies related to ethical conduct, use of public resources, and workplace accountability.
14. Performs other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive engineering experience in design or project management within a municipality, county, state, other governmental agency or engineering consulting firm.
• Minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience, preferably in a union environment.

Licenses and Certifications

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Michigan, or ability to obtain licensure within 12 months of appointment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Michigan driver’s license.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of civil, mechanical, structural, hydraulic and utility engineering in public works projects.

• Engineering design standards, construction methods, and inspection practices.

• Traffic engineering operations, including signal systems, signage, and pavement markings.
• Public works infrastructure systems, including streets, bridges, water, and sewer systems.

• Budgeting processes and capital improvement planning.
• Appliable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances.
• Engineering and office software such as CAD, GIS, and Microsoft Office.

Skill in

• Preparing clear and concise technical reports and presentations.
• Managing complex engineering projects and multiple priorities.
• Supervising staff and coordinating with contractors and stakeholders.
• Communicating effectively with elected officials, staff, and the public.

Ability to

• Lead and direct engineering and public works operations effectively.
• Interpret technical data and make sound engineering decisions.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Respond to community concerns in a professional and timely manner.

Work Environment

This position involves both office and field work. Exposure to varying weather conditions, vibrations, dust, and construction environments.

Physical Demands

• Sedentary Work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.
• Frequently standing, walking, and sitting.

• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through written communication.
• Standard vision and hearing requirements sufficient to perform essential job functions.