City Engineer

Westfielddevelopment; Westfield (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Westfielddevelopment seeks a City Engineer to plan, organize and coordinate the master infrastructure improvement plan for the City of Westfield. You will oversee design, budgeting, and implementation of transportation, water, sewer and drainage projects.

The role requires a MA PE license, a strong background in civil/public works and the ability to communicate with staff, council, contractors and the public. Supervisory responsibilities are included.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and MA PE license required.
• Experience leading municipal civil/public works projects is essential.
• Strong knowledge of design codes, budgeting, and project coordination.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, design, and execution of city infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate with staff, officials, contractors, and the public.
• Prepare budgets, monitor expenditures, and ensure compliance.
• Review designs from consultants and ensure code compliance.
• Manage personnel within the Engineering Department.

Skills

Civil engineering

Traffic engineering

Public works administration

Budgeting

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer license (Massachusetts)

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

CAD

GIS

Job description

In accordance with Section 2-454 of the City Code of Ordinances a professional, technical and overall administrative position responsible for planning, organizing and coordinating a variety of activities related to the preparation and execution of the City's master infrastructure improvement plan including responsibility for engineering work for the city of various infrastructures and traffic engineering projects. Prepares and reviews, or cause the same to occur, all designs, plans and specifications governing the work to ensure that all mandates are met. Oversees capital improvement programs as needed for public works projects. Works cooperatively and effectively with City staff, elected officials, contractors, consultants and the public.

SUPERVISION

Appointed by the Mayor, to whom the City Engineer reports, and subject to confirmation by majority vote of the city council for a term of three years. Is expected to operate within the parameters of conduct and ethics as set forth by their profession, good judgement, established business practice, and the law and in accordance with bylaws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the City.

Supervises, both directly and through subordinates, all personnel of Engineering Department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Performs responsible, complex and technical duties exercising a high degree of independent judgement and initiative in making decisions, rendering advice and representing the City. Has primary responsibility for interpretation and execution of policies governing City infrastructure improvement programs affecting the City’s interest and presents them to other governmental jurisdictions, private firms and the general public. Assumes direct accountability for engineering department results.
• Serves as the City representative with external agencies and consultants, internal Boards/ Commissions and the City Council with respect to infrastructure improvement projects. Provides technical engineering advice to the heads of various City departments and the mayor. Initiates engineering studies or program review in response to inquiries or when professional judgment suggests it is advisable to do so. Coordinates pre-design and design phase elements with all customers external and internal and communicates with other governing agencies/boards as needed.
• Performs such work respecting the water system, sanitary sewer system, stormwater system, street and parks systems and other City facilities as appropriate.
• Make or cause to be made all surveys and prepare all plans required by the Board of Assessors for use as tax maps and all surveys and plans required by any other departments, boards or commissions.
• Review designs of engineering consultants, developers and contractors in regard to infrastructure improvements as requested by various city departments and the City Council. Provide technical assistance to developers on site development plan reviews and assures compliance with contract drawings and specifications to the end that the results serve the best interests of the City. Makes the final selection of engineering consultants for department.
• Prepare or cause to be prepared estimates, specifications and bid documents; develop specifications for work to be performed; coordinate the work of contractors and consultants; review work in progress and upon completion verify compliance with specifications, laws, codes and times lines. Performs field review of sites as necessary.
• Prepares a variety of technical reports to support engineering programs and present written and oral recommendations. Prepare improvement plans involving transportation, utility and capital improvement programs.
• Responsible for the maintenance and development of the city's Geographic Information System, including the upkeep of current parcel delineation for the Assessor's Department.
• Responsible for personnel management. In conformity with City policies and State law, recruits, interviews, and hires Engineering Department employees. Assures competent staff through orientation, training and evaluation of employees in conformity with City requirements. Consistent with union contracts and relevant City policies, schedules work, approves employee leave requests and engages in employee disciplinary actions, and such other personnel actions as necessary to assure productive and effective operations. Coordinates engineer department functions with other City departments to assure unified progress towards City objectives.
• Responsible for the day-to-day business operation and administration of the Engineering Department. Prepares department’s annual budget and presents and advocates during City budget process. Monitors and reviews the expenditures to ensure adherence to budget limitations. Oversees department purchases in conformity with City policies. Maintains records of accounts receivable and payable, being certain that internal records and City generated reports agree.
• Attends and participates in all requested meetings which further the municipal mission and conform to the department’s statutory responsibilities. Attend and participate in local, regional, and state-wide committees and professional organizations, providing input and technical advice on various issues as appropriate.
• May be assigned any other related duties and responsibilities by the Mayor and City Council.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of principles and practices of civil engineering and traffic engineering and the planning, design, construction and administration of municipal public works programs. Knowledge of applicable laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, policies and procedures. Knowledge of municipal government and intergovernmental relations including general administrative and management practices, contract preparation and personnel management. Broad knowledge of City mission, vision, strategic direction, goals, objectives, policies, procedures, priorities and departmental operations.
• Position requires independent ability to make decisions and to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action. Ability to direct and supervise complex and politically sensitive engineering programs. Ability to prioritize responsibilities and to carry out assigned projects to their completion while meeting schedules and timelines. Ability to demonstrate continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality, timely, and seamless customer service.
• Ability to review and monitor the preparation of plans and specifications in the construction of engineering projects. Ability to interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and engineering concepts. Ability to develop bid specifications and coordinate the project work of contractors.
• Ability to interact and deal effectively with state and federal officials and agencies, city officials and board/commission members, employees and the public; ability to supervise and evaluate the work of subordinates; ability to maintain good public relations. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to exercise good judgement in adverse situations. Ability to prepare budgets; ability to plan, organize and direct the preparation of reports, analyze problems and formulate recommendations.
• Proven skills in use of personal computers, basic software programs, engineering software applications – including CAD and GIS, and Internet applications. Familiar with basic office machinery – fax, copier, calculator, etc.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

The City Engineer must possess a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university. Additionally, the engineer must possess a current and valid Construction Supervisor’s License in the State of Massachusetts. Possession of a Professional Engineering License or master’s degree in a related field is preferred. The engineer must have ten (10) years of experience in the practice of civil engineering, either in the design or construction aspects of the same including that of streets, water, sewer and drainage improvement projects is required. Up to five (5) years of required experience may be substituted by additional education.

Working knowledge of state, regional and national design standards. Previous experience as a registered land surveyor, construction layout work and cadastral surveying is desired. Knowledge of soil mechanics and design of foundations and walls, conversant with properties of various materials used in public works construction is desired. Knowledge of water chemistry and corrosion-related matters is desired. Massachusetts driver’s license required.

JOB ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is administrative in nature and performed both indoors and outdoors. Fine manipulation skills are required for computer use. Required to stand, sit, walk, lift for field inspections. Required to speak and hear and use hands to operate equipment and material and reaching with hands and arms. Vision requirements include the ability to read and analyze documents and use a computer and various office equipment. May be required to push, pull, lift and/or carry up to 25 pounds. Various conditions during inspections, including use of protective clothing and/or equipment during inspections. Required to attend evening meetings and work beyond normal business hours as needed. May need to work weekend hours in case of emergency.

Ability to carry out the functions and duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of this position as described in the necessary knowledge, ability and skills for dexterity and communication.

MOTOR SKILLS

The work requires motor skills for activities such as keyboarding, filing, moving objects and using a variety of office equipment and to finger and handle.

VISUAL SKILLS

Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding and analytical purposes.