Principal Civil Engineer

City of Lompoc; Lompoc (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Lompoc is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer to lead and manage the Capital Improvement Program, directing staff and consultants on complex municipal engineering projects. You will plan, assign, and review work, ensuring quality designs, budgets, and schedules align with city goals.

The role requires a California PE license, a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, and at least six years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience including two years of supervision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field and six (6) years of professional civil engineering experience with at least two (2) years supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements capital improvement projects.
• Oversees design, construction management, and inspection of public improvements.
• Develops the capital improvement program.
• Serves as project manager on capital projects.
• Supervises the design on in-house design projects.
• Acquires and monitors the services of private consultants.
• Pursues funding sources.
• Provides technical support for City operations including street maintenance, transit, airport, electric, solid waste, water, wastewater, parks, police, fire, fleet and facilities.
• Acts as staff advisor to policymakers on regional boards.
• Assigns, supervises, and evaluates subordinate engineering staff.
• Negotiates change orders.
• Manages project budgets.
• Facilitates construction issue resolutions.
• Negotiates with departments, agencies, and contractors.
• Assists with Engineering Division budget preparation and transportation funding.
• Performs other related work.

Skills

Staff supervision

Project management

Communication

Budget management

Negotiation

Contract administration

Independent work

GIS knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Job description

Principal Civil Engineer manages, oversees, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff responsible for professional and technical engineering operations of the capital improvement program; performs and oversees the preparation of complex engineering designs, plans, specifications, reports, and project management; and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility. The Principal Civil Engineer is distinguished from the Senior Civil Engineer by the former's advanced management responsibilities, greater independent decision-making authority, performing more specialized engineering work, and providing direction to a variety of private and public projects. Incumbents work at an advanced professional level on complex and specialized engineering projects and programs. The incumbent plans and assigns work to other division staff, or consultants as needed. The incumbent receives direction from the Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer on policy and day-to-day operations. Incumbents may act for the Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer during periods of absence or as directed; and performs related work as required.

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

1. Develops and implements capital improvement projects
2. Oversees design, construction management, and inspection of public improvements
3. Develops the capital improvement program
4. Serves as project manager on capital projects
5. Supervises the design on in-house design projects
6. Acquires and monitors the services of private consultants
7. Pursues funding sources
8. Provides technical support for City operations including but not limited to street maintenance, transit, airport, electric, solid waste, water, wastewater, parks, police, fire, fleet and facilities
9. May act as professional staff advisor to policymakers serving on various regional boards
10. Assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of subordinate engineering personnel
11. Negotiates change orders
12. Manages project budgets
13. Facilitates solutions to construction issues
14. Negotiates with other departments, agencies, and contractors regarding issues and necessary coordination
15. Assists with preparation of the Engineering Division budget, and with portions of the City budget covering capital projects and transportation funding
16. Performs other related work as required.

If you are unable to perform the essential functions of the position for which you are applying, either with or without reasonable accommodation, please notify Human Resources at [phone].

Education and Experience: Include any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. The typical qualifying entrance background is Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field AND six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering experience with a minimum of two (2) years supervisory experience.

License/Certification Required: Possession of a valid and appropriate California Driver's License. Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs is required.

Knowledge Of

• Principles and practices of civil engineering
• Municipal public works administration, planning and design
• Engineering math
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Principles of supervision and training
• Geographic based information system management.

Ability To

• Plan, organize, and manage the engineering services of the City
• Supervise, train, and evaluate the work of professional, technical, and support staff
• Prepare comprehensive engineering and administrative staff reports
• Prepare and evaluate proposals, cost estimates and specifications
• Administer contracts
• Communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing
• Maintain a big picture view and teamwork approach
• Be service oriented and have excellent communication skills
• Be an adept negotiator
• Work independently with minimum supervision
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Physical and Mental/Psychological Demands

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 the essential functions.
PHYSICAL: Strength category: Light-exert force to 20 lbs. occasionally, or 10 lbs. frequently, or negligible force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or move objects. May involve significant standing, walking, pushing, pulling sitting, and/or typing. Occasional standing, walking, bending, twisting at the waist, handling, gripping, grasping, reaching at, above and below shoulder level, extending neck side to side. On rare occasion stoops, crouches, kneels, climbs stairs, ladders, scaffolding, extends neck upward and downward. Vision: Visual acuity which could be corrected sufficiently to perform the essential functions of the position; average depth perception needed. Hearing: Effectively hear/comprehend oral instructions and communication.

MENTAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL: Work cooperatively and interact appropriately with those contacted in the course of work, including the general public; utilize advanced and complex reading, writing and math skills; exercise good judgment in following procedures and directions; respond quickly and calmly to changing priorities; communicate effectively orally; work under pressure; work within deadlines.

Environmental Conditions

Constantly works indoors; occasionally works outdoors. Frequent use of products and equipment required in a standard office work setting; personal computer, including word processing, database and spreadsheet programs; calculator, telephone, photocopier and telex fax machines, and other standard office equipment. Works independently and with the public. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, and moderately loud when outdoors.