PUBLIC WORK'S DEPARTMENT - SENIOR ENGINEER

County of El Paso; Town of Texas (WI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

County of El Paso is seeking a Senior Engineer to oversee public works projects and multidisciplinary programs, ensuring compliance with engineering standards and statutory requirements. The role involves directing budgets, schedules, and contractor relations while guiding staff and coordinating with funding agencies on future projects.

Ideal candidate has a PE in Texas, extensive design/construction experience, and strong leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Ten (10) years of professional level experience in design and construction of buildings, bridges, structures and roads.
• Five (5) years managing and administering a major engineering program or phase for an organization with diverse operations or multiple locations.
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience in the area of assignment.
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) or willingness to obtain within 6 months if area requires.

Responsibilities

• Supervises, plans, develops, and organizes public works projects and design programs to meet statutory requirements and engineering standards.
• Reviews designs, bids, and schedules; coordinates with funding agencies and approves changes to construction plans.
• Directs special projects; analyzes labor, materials, funding, and program performance measures.
• Administers contracts according to procurement policies and monitors budgets and schedules.
• Guides engineers, reviews reports, and provides supervision and mentorship to staff.
• Manages subdivision, floodplain, and CIP programming; coordinates with public works users to rank projects.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred

Acceptable Experience and Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field and ten (10) years of professional level experience in design and construction of buildings, bridges, structures and roads, including five (5) years managing and administering a major engineering program or phase for an organization with diverse operations or multiple locations, including and two (2) years of supervisory experience in the area of assignment.

Depending on area assigned: five (5) years of subdivision, storm water and floodplain management experience;

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Certificates and Licenses Required

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver’s license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Professional engineer registration in the State of Texas.

Must meet continuing education requirements to retain licensure(s) – Texas (every 2 years) National (every 3 years)

Depending on area assigned:

Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM®) certificate, or will obtain and maintain such a Certificate within (6) months of beginning employment.

Essential Duties

• Supervises, plans, develops, and organizes public works projects and special project construction and design programs; ensures policies and methods meet statutory requirements and established engineering principles and standards; recommends resolutions and major operational adjustments in public works short and long range plans; as directed confers with governmental funding agencies on future or ongoing construction projects;
• Reviews surveys, designs and construction times, labor and cost estimates and consultant and contractor bids on proposals to construct county facilities, bridges, right-of-way and easements; directs processes to approve and recommend changes to construction plans, scheduling multiple projects and reviewing progress costs, "as built" plans, field investigations and related records and statistics for adherence to contract timeliness, technical provisions and appropriations; issues certificates of plat compliance; coordinates reviews of subdivisions;
• Directs special projects, including conducting various analyses of labor requirements, material specifications, funding, proposed program improvements and program performance measures;
• Oversees preparation of statements of work technical specifications and grant applications; participates in contract award negotiation; as directed administers design, construction and other service contracts according to County procurement policies and procedures; provided input to the implementation of the department directives;
• Directs and coordinates with assigned engineers in regards to progress of projects and preparation of reports; as directed approves engineers' project pay applications; addresses possible issues and offers solutions; offers assistance when needed, provides guidance, and answers questions;
• Coordinates with public works users to determine capital improvement projects; prepares capital improvement programming inventory and ranks projects based on needs; conducts research in regards to funding capabilities; provide project summaries and conceptual estimates;
• Provides oversight, counsels and advices on proposed capital projects;
• Monitors project budgets to ensure projects are completed on schedule and on budget;
• Develops and implements a standardized capital improvement program process and policy;
• Establishes policies, budget, division goals and objectives;
• Plans and evaluates capital improvement programs. Involves, initiating and directing to complete ongoing capital improvement programs;
• Reviews, analyzes, manages, and implements complex capital projects that include engineering facility construction and subdivision, transportation plans;
• Directs project changes based upon application of technical provisions, requirements, design, construction time, labor costs and feasibility;
• Develops major capital improvement programs and facility enhancements for various agency programs;
• Analyzes personnel allocation, equipment, supplies, and maintenance costs for projects;
• Directs, schedules, evaluates and prepares analysis of multiple project and program requirements, progress and costs;
• Identifies program operation objectives;
• Formulates project requests evaluation criteria;
• Ranks merits and priorities, develops costs, and selects projects within limits of available funds;
• Monitors and coordinates additions, deletions and modifications to project proposals and work in progress;
• Drafts authorizations to initiate projects, releases project funds according to annual and multiyear schedules, distributes forms and supporting documents, and forwards approved change orders for issuance;
• Arranges for guidance or action from higher-level executives on unprecedented problems or deviations from policies or practices;
• Tracks appropriations and makes recommendations for moving appropriated revenue as required;
• Updates management and colleagues regarding costs, current project status, schedules, and potential problems;
• Assists with establishing policies, budget, section goals and objectives;
• Participates in strategic planning initiatives;
• Sets department performance measures;
• Develops departmental short and long term planning priorities and identify resources to meet set goals;
• Reviews and analyzes policies, procedures and practices, proposed legislation and regulations and makes recommendations regarding integration of processes to improve efficiency and quality of services;
• Reviews and interprets current and proposed legislation and regulations in conjunction with County Attorney's Office; conducts and analyzes technological research on engineering areas to advise on facility and infrastructure development;
• Provides technical advice and assistance to other County departments and elected officials; as directed explains Department services and rules to citizens, civic groups, consultants, contractors, utilities, planning commissions and regulatory agencies; serves on designated boards to represent the County's interests;
• Prepares and presents comprehensive ad hoc and recurring reports, charts and recommendations regarding programs and projects for County officials and executives as well as other jurisdictions and agencies;
• Oversees the operation and updating of computerized engineering and mapping information; as directed, directs the establishment and maintenance of the engineering library;
• Participates in conferences to represent the County on engineering issues and maintains an awareness of technology changes and advances;
• As directed supervises department employees, including assigning and reviewing work, training, providing input on performance evaluations, and making recommendations on hiring, terminating, and disciplining personnel;
• Motivates and works with employees to correct deficiencies;
• Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate-level staff, the department work plan;
• Assists with managing the career development and performance of staff assigned;
• Meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems;
• Assists with the assignment of projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures;
• Demonstrates leadership and ability to deliver efficiency and quality at the highest of standards;
• Substitutes, if assigned, for immediate supervisor or coworkers during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;
• Attends and participates in meetings, training and information sessions;
• Stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field;
• Substitutes, if assigned, for staff during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;
• Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and
• Creates a high quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

Other Important Duties

Performs other job related duties, within reason and capabilities as directed.

Subject to 24-hour call and must respond in a timely manner during an emergency. This position may require evening and week-end duty;

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Depending on area assigned:

Acts as liaison to the US Army Corps of Engineers;

Manages subdivision and land development projects within the County jurisdiction ensuring development conforms to County standards and regulations; reviews drainage reports, engineered grading and drainage plans, storm-water design criteria, floodplain management regulations and other generally accepted principles and practices;

Performs the daily implementation of El Paso County’s flood loss reduction activities including enforcing the county’s flood damage prevention ordinance, updating flood maps, plans, and policies of the county, and any of the activities related to administration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP);

Issues permits for development in the community’s floodplain and enforces the requirements of the community Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance;

Explains floodplain development requirements to community leaders, citizens, and the general public when requested;

Maintains records and documents that keep the community eligible to participate in the FEMA’s NFIP and Community Rating System (CRS);

Maintains community floodplain management files, the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) files, the El Paso’s floodplain management program documents, building permits, variances, FEMA map revisions (LOMC’s), elevation certificates(with original signature and seal);

Maintains the Community Floodplain Management Reference Library;

Reviews, approves or denies updates and revisions to the community’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM’s);

Assists elected officials in the preparation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the overall El Paso County Floodplain Management Program as well as formally adopting and periodically updating the community Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance;

Reviews and coordinates floodplain related projects, studies and plans initiated by Federal and State Agencies, nonprofit organizations, and others;

Provides floodplain management guidance related to community drainage improvements, flood protection, floodplain management, and flood mitigation projects;

Functions as the community representative for floodplain management studies, plans, and mapping activities initiated by Federal and State Agencies, Regional Planning Commissions, Flood Control and Drainage Districts, adjacent communities and others;

Assists and cooperates with FEMA and State Floodplain Manager representatives during Community Assistance Visits (CAV), Community Rating System (CRS) Program reviews, and other floodplain management program actions for coordination;

Monitors and coordinates other Federal and State Floodplain Management Programs;

Conducts educational programs for realtors, lenders, builders, engineers/land surveyors, general public, and other interested groups on a scheduled basis;

Maintains a current call list and website address list of Federal and state agencies;

Disseminates information, data, status reports, and situation reports to affiliated community or agency representatives who deal with flooding;

Works with user departments to assist them in development of their strategic planning for CIP purposes;

Standardizes CIP documents, forms and procedures;

Ensures that work scope, project documentation, drawings, etc. are developed to meet internal standards/good engineering practice and regulatory requirements are maintained throughout the projects;

Compiles and analyzes results, costs and personnel statistics, maintain summary CIP documentation for publication to higher-level executives;

Prepares and distributes CIP program updates, including maintaining progress reports on the department’s website;

Summary of Position

The Senior Engineer under general direction, supervises public works project and activities performed by technical and clerical subordinate staff.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: administrative management principles and practices applied to large governmental or private engineering organizations; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; engineering methods and theories regarding design and construction; practical application of engineering science and technology; legal and financial issues affecting public works programs; urban and regional land use: applicable codes and ordinances pertaining to civil engineering and public works projects; methods, materials, tools and equipment used in public works design, construction, compliance and inspection; project management, cost estimating, personnel rules and regulations; computer aided drafting and design (CADD) techniques, geographic information systems (GIS); public relations practices; principles and practices of supervision and training.

Skill/Ability to: plan, develop, organize, implement, coordinate and assess functions of subordinate staff engaged in diverse programs and projects; prioritize and manage several tasks; read, comprehend, evaluate, and prepare technical engineering documents, plans, and design specifications; apply established mathematical and statistical techniques to analyze data in practical situations; Read, comprehend and interpret technical engineering laws, rules, regulations and documents; prepare concise reports; have oral and written communications to effectively explain technical and regulatory standard practices in reports, correspondence, speeches and discussions; collect and interpret an extensive variety of technical data and instruction, draw valid conclusions and initiate action to recommend, initiate and direct ongoing projects to completion; schedule, supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, County officials, consultants, contractors, utilities, other agencies, civil organizations, and the general public; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; Pass a Criminal Background Investigation;

Pass a Criminal Background Investigation;

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and
• Maintain and enhance the County's commitment to customer service excellence