Under general direction, coordinates and administers the engineering and public works components of development review, permitting, construction, capital projects, and project closeout. Performs advanced paraprofessional engineering and technical work, including plan and map review, drafting, calculations, research, field inspections, permit processing, project administration, and preparation of technical reports. Serves as a primary point of coordination among City staff, the City Engineer, consultants, developers, contractors, utilities, regulatory agencies on development-related engineering and public infrastructure matters, and performs other related duties as assigned.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This classification combines hands-on engineering technician functions with professional-level project, consultant, and development coordination. The incumbent works independently, exercises considerable judgment and initiative, and is responsible for keeping multidisciplinary reviews, technical requirements, schedules, contracts, permits, conditions, and project records coordinated and moving forward.
The position may review technical information for completeness, consistency, established standards, and compliance; prepare calculations, exhibits, cost estimates, reports, permits, and recommendations; and manage the workflow of engineering and technical consultants. The position does not independently perform, approve, sign, or seal professional engineering work that requires registration as a California civil engineer. Professional engineering judgments and approvals remain with the City Engineer or other appropriately licensed professional.
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types 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 class.
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Development Engineering and Plan Review
- Coordinates engineering and public works review of development applications from preliminary concept and entitlement through plan approval, permitting, construction, acceptance, and closeout.
- Coordinates review of grading, drainage, stormwater, streets, traffic, utilities, sewer, easements, dedications, subdivisions, public improvements, and related infrastructure matters.
- Reviews plans, maps, drawings, calculations, reports, and supporting documents for completeness, accuracy, format, established engineering practices, conditions of approval, and applicable requirements; obtains professional engineering review when required.
- Prepares and coordinates conditions of approval, plan-check comments, permits, agreements, notices, reports, and other development requirements; tracks completion before permit issuance, occupancy, acceptance, or release of securities.
- Processes final parcel and tract maps, urban lot splits, lot line adjustments, lot mergers, abandonments, quitclaims, soil reports, encroachment permits, and related documents in coordination with the City Engineer and other responsible staff.
- Provides counter and applicant assistance regarding City processes, engineering standards, permits, easements, rights-of-way, utilities, and applicable municipal, state, and federal requirements.
Technical Engineering and Field Support
- Prepares exhibits, drawings, maps, quantity calculations, cost estimates, and other technical materials using AutoCAD and other engineering or plan-review software.
- Assists with design review and preparation of plans and specifications for streets, drainage, traffic, utilities, and other public works or capital improvement projects.
- Conducts field checks and construction observations to verify site conditions and progress; assists with inspections and documents conformance with approved plans and specifications within assigned authority.
- Collects, tabulates, and analyzes traffic and field data and may conduct traffic counts, turning-movement observations, and similar studies.
- Prepares technical reports and regulatory or program documentation, including work related to NPDES, sanitary sewer overflows, HPMS, disadvantaged business enterprise requirements, and other assigned programs.
- Investigates field problems affecting property owners, contractors, or City facilities and coordinates appropriate technical review and response.
Project, Consultant, and Contract Administration
- Plans and coordinates assigned development, engineering, and capital projects from initiation through completion; maintains schedules, milestones, budgets, funding conditions, and project records.
- Administers assigned engineering and technical consultant contracts, including scopes of work, task authorizations, schedules, deliverables, budgets, invoices, insurance, and contract compliance.
- Prepares or assists with requests for proposals and qualifications, bid packages, consultant selection, agreements, amendments, change orders, cost estimates, and procurement documents.
- Assigns and tracks consultant reviews; evaluates work products for completeness and responsiveness; follows up on incomplete or conflicting work and documents decisions, assignments, and next steps.
- Coordinates construction-phase communication among applicants, contractors, inspectors, consultants, City departments, utilities, and outside agencies.
- Tracks public improvement agreements, reimbursement agreements, bonds, securities, insurance, punch-list items, record drawings, test results, warranties, acceptance actions, and release or reduction of securities.
- Assists with project funding and grant applications and coordinates with federal, state, county, regional, and other agencies on cooperatively funded projects.
Coordination, Reporting, and Process Improvement
- Serves as liaison among Planning, Public Works, Building and Safety, Finance, the City Attorney, City Engineer, consultants, developers, utilities, contractors, regulatory agencies, and the public.
- Coordinates multidisciplinary comments and provides applicants and staff with clear requirements, outstanding items, responsible parties, and next steps; elevates unresolved policy or professional technical issues to the appropriate authority.
- Prepares staff reports, project summaries, correspondence, conditions, agreements, resolutions, presentations, and status reports for staff, the Planning Commission, and City Council.
- Maintains organized project files and tracking systems sufficient to support approvals, inspections, audits, claims, enforcement, cost recovery, and future maintenance responsibilities.
- Analyzes development and engineering processes and recommends improvements to reduce duplication, clarify responsibility, improve turnaround times, and strengthen documentation.
- Assists with fee studies, consultant deposits, development impact fee administration, budget monitoring, public records responses, special projects, and other related duties as assigned.
- Responds to after-hours emergencies or service needs and attends evening or weekend meetings and City events when required.
Knowledge of:
- Municipal development review, public works administration, project management, and development-related engineering processes involving grading, drainage, streets, traffic, utilities, stormwater, subdivisions, easements, dedications, and public improvements.
- Engineering principles and practices applicable to paraprofessional municipal engineering work; preparation and review of plans, specifications, estimates, maps, calculations, and technical reports.
- Consultant selection, procurement, contract administration, invoice review, project scheduling, construction administration, conditions of approval, bonds and securities, and project closeout.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, standards, and permitting requirements affecting land development and municipal infrastructure.
- Engineering and plan-review software, including AutoCAD and Bluebeam or comparable applications; modern office, records, and project-tracking systems.
- Research, analysis, report preparation, customer service, meeting coordination, and effective governmental communication.
Ability to:
- Perform advanced paraprofessional engineering and technical work, including plan and design review, calculations, drafting, field inspections, permit processing, project administration, and technical reporting.
- Manage multiple projects, consultant assignments, reviews, contracts, schedules, and deadlines concurrently with limited supervision.
- Understand, organize, and communicate technical engineering information while recognizing matters that require approval by the City Engineer, Building Official, City Attorney, or another qualified professional.
- Analyze conflicting information, identify issues requiring resolution, obtain appropriate technical guidance, and present practical options and recommendations.
- Communicate clearly and professionally with applicants, engineers, architects, contractors, property owners, consultants, public agencies, elected and appointed officials, staff, and the public.
- Prepare clear, concise, and accurate technical and nontechnical reports, correspondence, staff reports, specifications, cost estimates, procedures, and presentations.
- Exercise sound judgment, initiative, discretion, diplomacy, accountability, and a service-oriented approach in difficult or time-sensitive situations.
Education and Experience
Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the qualifications is:
- An associate degree or completion of at least two years of college-level coursework in civil engineering, construction management, engineering technology, public administration, urban planning, or a related field; and
- Three years of increasingly responsible experience in municipal engineering, public works, development review, construction, plan review, project coordination, or a closely related field.
A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, engineering technology, construction management, public administration, urban planning, or a related field may substitute for a portion of the required experience. Experience with California municipal development review, engineering consultant administration, conditions of approval, or public improvement projects is highly desirable.
Licenses and Certifications
- Possession of, or ability to obtain and maintain, a valid California Class C driver’s license.
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification is desirable but not required.
- Coursework or certification in project management, construction management, stormwater, contract administration, planning, or a related field is desirable.
- Registration as a California civil engineer is not required. If the incumbent possesses professional registration, the exercise of professional engineering authority remains subject to applicable law and City delegation.
Physical and Environmental Requirements
Work is performed primarily in an office environment with regular field visits to development, construction, and public works sites. Field work may involve uneven terrain, traffic, dust, noise, weather exposure, moving equipment, and active construction conditions. The position requires the ability to operate computers and drafting or office equipment, communicate in person and by telephone, travel to project sites and meetings, and occasionally lift or move materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Evening meetings and occasional night, weekend, or emergency work may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Requirements
The duties listed above describe the general nature and level of work performed and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, qualifications, or working conditions. The City may modify assignments consistent with the classification and organizational needs.