Civil Engineer 1

City of Chattanooga, TN; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chattanooga seeks a Civil Engineer 1 to design transportation projects for Public Works, coordinate with internal departments and external entities, and ensure compliance with standards such as AASHTO and MUTCD. This exempt, full-time role requires a B.S.C.E.

and up to two years CEI experience; progression to Civil Engineer 2 is automatic after meeting qualifications. Benefits include competitive pay, a dedicated team, and opportunities for professional development within a growing city

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.) required.
• Two years of experience in CEI, construction engineering or inspection preferred.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D, ArcGIS, and related tools preferred.

Responsibilities

• Designs transportation projects for public works per codes and standards.
• Coordinate with internal departments and external organizations.
• Prepare and review engineering designs, plans, maps, and permits.
• Monitor field work and ensure compliance with regulations and quality standards.
• Represent the department in meetings and coordinate with stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Civil engineering knowledge

Construction inspection

Reading technical plans

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.)

CEI experience or construction engineering/inspection

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

ArcGIS

MicroPAVER

ArcView

HCS+

Job description

Join the City of Chattanooga Team

Chattanooga, a vibrant and growing community of over 190,000 residents within a metropolitan area of nearly 600,000 is known as the "Scenic City" for a reason. Nestled along the Tennessee River and surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, we are a hub of outdoor adventure and innovation. Home to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) and Chattanooga State Community College, our city blends a rich industrial history with a tech-forward future—famously powered by the nation’s first community-wide "Gig" fiber-optic network. The City of Chattanooga was also recently designated as a "National Park City," the first of its kind in the United States. A

Our Organization

As a City, we are powered by a dedicated workforce of approximately 2,600 employees committed to excellence in public service and making Chattanooga the best community in the country. Our team ensures our city thrives through a wide range of municipal services, including:

• Public Safety: Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments.
• Infrastructure & Utilities: Public Works, Waste Resources, and specialized Stormwater management.
• Quality of Life: Award-winning Parks and Outdoors and Community Development systems and the Chattanooga Public Library.
• Transportation: The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) and citywide transit and pedestrian friendly initiatives.
• Innovation: Leading-edge smart-city programs with a commitment to cutting edge workforce development policies to ensure all our residents can get ahead.

Why Choose Chattanooga?

The City of Chattanooga’s workforce is the heartbeat of our community. We don't just offer jobs; we offer careers with purpose: making Chattanooga the best city in America. We are committed to being the premier employer of choice in Southeast Tennessee by providing:

• Competitive Compensation: Robust pay scales that reflect our commitment to our staff.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid time off and flexible scheduling where possible.
• Exceptional Wellness: Comprehensive health benefits and wellness programs designed for you and your family that deliver savings to you beyond your paycheck, featuring a centralized health clinic and pharmacy for all City employees.
• Growth: A focus on professional development and upward mobility within the organization.
• The Great Outdoors: Your Backyard Playground: Chattanooga isn't just near nature, it's immersed in it. As one of the most biodiverse cities in North America, the "Scenic City" offers an ecological richness that few places on earth can claim. Whether you are an adrenaline junkie or a weekend wanderer, world-class adventure is always less than an hour away.
• Vertical Adventures: Scale legendary sandstone cliffs in what is widely considered the premier rock climbing hub of the Southeast.
• Water & Rapids: From the high-octane whitewater kayaking of the Ocoee River to world-class bass fishing and peaceful paddling on the Tennessee River.
• Trails for Miles: Explore a massive network of mountain biking and hiking trails that wind through lush ridges, hidden waterfalls, and deep river gorges.

In Chattanooga, "work-life balance" means you can finish your shift and be at a trailhead or on the water before the sun sets.

Our mission is to work together to build a safe, vibrant, and sustainable city for all Chattanoogans. To do that, it takes a team of skilled and passionate individuals. So, if you’d like to call Chattanooga home – or maybe you already do! – and want to further your career through meaningful work that makes a true impact where you live, we’d love to talk to you.

Salary: $65,304- $78,897 annually (GS.12)
Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. (EST)
*Hours may vary due to work assignments, or projects.*
Work Location:1250 Market Street, Chattanooga, TN
FLSA Status: This is an Exempt position.
Department: Public Works

CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY:
Incumbents in this classification are responsible for performing technical engineering work as assigned by the City Engineer and/or Engineer-of-Record associated with the design and/or coordination of transportation engineering and construction projects to ensure compliance with established industry standards and/or applicable codes; projects are built to plans and specifications, meeting all applicable laws, rules and ordinances and that the quality of work is satisfactory and acceptable within a given time period. Work requires moderate to limited supervision and the use of independent judgment and discretion.

SERIES LEVEL:
The Civil Engineer 1 is the first level of a four-level engineer series.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

(The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.)

Designs transportation projects for public works, ensuring compliance with all applicable codes, laws and regulations, standards, policies and procedures.

Public works transportation projects include but are not limited to geotechnical engineering and design, roadways and streetscapes, storm and sanitary sewer systems, erosion and sediment control, traffic control, traffic signal related analysis, retention and detention ponds and/or other related design items.

Designs and coordinates City-wide services projects which includes investigating public requests, problems and complaints; contacts applicable individuals to initiate corrective action activities; generates work orders to resolve service issues; prepares and completes field design sketches for work orders as necessary; coordinates construction activities with applicable internal departments and external organizations and performs other related activities.

Prepares and/or reviews engineering designs, plans, maps, charts, diagrams, estimates and permitting requests for projects,Achieves a comprehensive and current working knowledge of applicable laws, regulations and codes.

Applicable codes include but are not limited to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Green Book - A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), American Concrete Institute (ACI) Codes and Standards and Technical Release 55 Manual (TR 55).

Coordinates engineering project activities with a variety of internal departments and external organizations or entities including but not limited to utility companies, other municipalities, surveyors, land agents and/or property owners as necessary.

Assists as directed by Supervisor in the procurement and oversight of professional consulting and/or contracting services which includes assembling bid documents, preparing specifications, opening bids, evaluating responses to bids, participating in pre-bid meetings and performing other related activities.

Communicates with supervisor, management staff, other employees, developers, engineers, contractors, citizens and external organizations to coordinate activities.

Performs project reviews and evaluations and makes recommendations based on findings.

Conducts inspections and site visits to ensure projects are in compliance with applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, specifications, standards, policies and procedures; initiates corrective action to mitigate violations and deviations. Oversees and monitors on-site materials testing activities.

Represents the department and/or the City at a variety of meetings, public events, training sessions, committees and/or other related events or groups in order to receive and convey information pertaining to City projects or programs.

Provides technical guidance on a variety of construction-related projects.

Creates and processes work orders for transportation engineering projects. Facilitates and/or coordinates the processing of engineering documents, permits, GIS data and/or applications with applicable internal departments.

Prepares a variety of engineering records and documentation to include technical documentation, notices, publications, reports, maps, specifications, design drawings, manuals, catalogs, reference materials, regulations and/or other related items; disseminates applicable documents to internal staff, government agencies and external businesses or individuals.

Responsible for reading current technical literature, maintaining professional affiliations and attending workshops and technical training sessions when appropriate.

Maintains databases for roadways and bridges owned by the City.

Works directly with inspectors and senior engineers to research, initiate and implement pavement preservation and maintenance activities.

Uses, carries and answers their cell phone for business purposes as determined by the assigned job duties and the department head.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers and citizens.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, in a timely manner.

Performs other duties as assigned.

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC DUTIES (if any):

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.) and two (2) years previous experience preferred that includes training in computer-aided design of streets and roads, traffic signals, sanitary sewers, storm water sewers and related structures; or two (2) years previous experience preferred in construction engineering and inspection (CEI) procedures and methods; or any combination of equivalent experience and education. Education may include other applicable engineering fields.

Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D is preferred.

This is a career ladder position. This position will receive an automatic progression to Civil Engineer 2 when the incumbent has achieved the required minimum qualifications and licenses/certifications for the next position in the series.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Valid Driver's License

Preferred Certifications:
Engineer-In-Training Certification
Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation Certifications: Level I and Level II Erosion & Sediment Control
Hot Mix Asphalt Roadway Certification
Concrete Certified Field Technician
Concrete Plant Quality Control Technician
Soils & Aggregate Certified Testing Technician
Tennessee Academy for Transportation Engineering Certificate (TATE)

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of applicable Federal, State and Local laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures preferred; engineering design standards; customer service principles; civil engineering design principles; construction principles and practices; materials, tools and methods involved in the design and construction or repair of roads, highways and structures and land surveying guidelines. Skill in using a computer and related software applications, such as AutoCAD, ArcView, MicroPAVER and ArcGIS, Synchro and HCS+; in managing projects; implementation of design and construction documents for municipal construction projects; coordinating construction contract activities; providing customer service; reading and comprehending a variety of technical plans, drawings and models; using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; preparing technical documents; preparing and reviewing engineering designs in compliance with applicable standards; interpreting and comprehending applicable laws, ordinances, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures and communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with co-workers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Positions in this class typically require reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work. Incumbents may be subjected to fumes, odors, dust and extreme temperatures.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Safety Sensitive: N
Department of Transportation - CDL: N
Child Sensitive: N

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
This position requires pre-employment screening(s) that include: background check
The City of Chattanooga, Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

JES 3.13.25

KJF