Civil Engineer I

Under direction, performs administrative and professional engineering work in the design of public works projects performed by City staff or by professional consultants.  Responsibility extends to construction management and oversight. This position performs moderately complex - assignments and works in support of more experienced staff on segments of larger projects.  Work assignments may be specialized in one or more areas of civil engineering.

Scope of Responsibility:

The Civil Engineer I is responsible for the quality and accuracy of his/her own work and has responsibility for small to moderate sized projects.  Work is subject to review and signature by a licensed engineer.  Work direction is given to technicians.

Special Assignment:  Design and Construction 
 
Under direction, works on capital improvement projects.  Typical projects consist of sanitary sewer, water main, storm sewer, and paving in residential developments, infrastructure rehabilitation, and arterial streets.   PRIMARY RESPONSIBLITIES: 1. Completes preliminary project research and documentation.

1. Collects survey data and prepares preliminary designs and studies for projects including determining grades, materials, quantities, costs, etc. to ensure cost effectiveness;
2. Prepares feasibility reports for projects with costs estimates and a projected schedule for completion;
3. Presents preliminary reports in support of the decision making process.

 
2. Plans, designs, reviews, and writes specifications for city, state and federally funded projects in compliance with city standards and federal and local regulations. Prepares specifications for those projects released for bids by outside contractors.

1. Develops standard or special design plans, specifications and specific job procedures for projects;
2. Reviews plans and specifications for capital improvement projects including those prepared by consultants or other agencies (such as ND Department of Transportation) to ensure compliance with design requirements and City standards;
3. Conducts plan review meetings;
4. Writes specifications and prepared bid specifications for review and sign off by licensed engineers;
5. Conducts pre-construction meetings;
6. Works to resolve conflicts and issues and negotiates with affected parties during the design phase.

3. Makes adjustments and change order decisions in the field. 

4. Identify right of way/easement needs for project, write descriptions and work with the Land Acquisitions Specialist on acquiring
 
5. Serving as the owner’s agent, monitors progress of construction projects.

1. Monitors progress of construction projects to ensure conformance with contracts, specifications and schedules;
2. Makes decisions on issues relating to projects, such as selecting from options presented by inspectors and contractors; authorizes payments, change orders, etc.;
3. Conducts regular meetings with contractors, government agencies, and business owners involved in the project;
4. Monitors and supervises inspectors, surveyor crews, and consultants on the job;
5. Works to resolve conflicts and issues and negotiates with affected parties during the construction process; 
6. Maintains project records.

 
6. Manages project budgets.

1. Prepares cost estimates or provides informed input on project costs; analyzes costs,  future cost projections and sources of funding in order to develop detailed project estimates;
2. Monitors project funds and expenditures against plan, making or recommending adjustments as necessary;
3. Administers the financial recording of change orders; 
4. Develops engineer's estimate of project progress payments on a regular basis, verifies and determines what quantity is to be paid;
5. Approves and submits or recommends payments that are within the project budget and within the authorized approval limits of the job; submits funding requests from multiple funding sources;
6. Works with federal auditors during periodic audits of federal projects;
7. Works to ensure the most cost effective alternatives are identified when planning expenditures.

 
7. Using independent judgment provides work direction, training, and leadership to engineering technicians and inspectors in the collection of data, the design and preparation of plans, and the development of estimates and reports involved in the construction and maintenance of streets, sewers, etc.

8. Emergency Operation/Flood Protection

1. Manages emergency flood protection operations of a specific neighborhood of the City;
2. Supervises and coordinates activities of neighborhood engineering technicians;
3. Interacts with homeowners in planning and implementing emergency flood protection measures;
4. Provides reports of progress or deficiencies as sector manager and current status of emergency operations within their neighborhood.   Assists the sector engineer to estimate the rate of progress and schedule of needs (type, amount, timeframe, urgency, etc.) for completion of flood protection tasks;
5. Inspects and reports on critical infrastructure (sanitary sewer, water main, and storm water) in conjunction with other departments; Public Works, Sewer Utility, etc.;
6. Provides assistance to local consultants working on flood protection in understanding the protection plan for the neighborhood.

 
9. Communicates courteously and professionally and maintains working relationships with others in carrying out job functions.

1. Frequently  interacts with others in the work unit, the public, vendors or across departments to exchange detailed and/or technical information;
2. Interaction regularly includes negotiations involving convincing the other party to do something to achieve a basic work related objective;
3. Interacts with public, contractors, utility representatives and others, providing information, and resolving issues and complaints in an efficient, timely manner;  
4. Serves as project representative for the City and interacts with the public, businesses and the media;
5. Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains current knowledge of trends and innovations in the field.

 
10. Performs all job duties in compliance with safety guidelines and with an ongoing awareness of safety practices.

1. Interacts with public, contractors and utility representatives to coordinate activities with other agencies, respond to general inquiries, provides information and/or to refers individual(s) to supervisor or other appropriate personnel to resolve issues;
2. Knows and follows department and city rules as well as sound work and safety practices in order to accomplish the job objectives and avoid injury or loss;
3. Wears proper protective equipment when policy requires or conditions indicate a need exists and utilizes proper body mechanics and ergonomics while performing work;
4. When potentially unsafe conditions are observed makes efforts to avoid or correct them if they are controllable and draws them to the attention of the responsible supervisor or safety representative in a timely manner.

 
11. Responsible for periodically being the designated on-call Engineer for afterhours, including weekends and holidays

12. Performs other duties and activities as assigned. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The job requires a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field, two or more years of previous experience in civil engineering design and construction project management, and a valid State of North Dakota engineer-in-training certificate; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.   A valid driver’s license is also required.
 
Knowledge, skills and abilities include:
 

• Knowledge of concepts, theories, principles and practices of civil and structural engineering;
• Knowledge of proper procedures and requirements in the preparation of designs and contract documents;
• Knowledge of principles and practices of construction management;
• Knowledge of technical engineering methods, techniques, principles and procedures such as inspection and surveying, including those employed in large public works projects;
• Knowledge of governmental administrative practices including budgeting, purchasing and policy formulation;
• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations and codes relating to engineering projects and program;
• Intermediate skill in Microsoft Office applications
• Knowledge of computer aided design software (CAD);
• Ability to provide work direction and training to others for successful performance of their duties;
• Skill in project design and management;
• Skill in advanced mathematical computations, including geometry and trigonometry;
• Ability to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms, involving complex, technical content, and have strong public relations skills;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Much of the work is performed in a normal office environment and some work is performed outdoors at construction sites, including bridges and railroad sites; outdoor work is more frequent during construction season.  Work is generally light with considerable variety.  Daily work often involves moving between buildings and rooms.   Occasional driving is required to attend meetings and construction sites. The job may involve dealing with and calming individuals who are emotionally charged over an issue. There is extensive computer use and considerable attention to detail and deadlines.  Work at construction sites may involve exposure to multiple disagreeable working conditions and hazards including noise, dust, dirt, weather extremes, and moving construction equipment.

Approximately 30% of the time is spent in the field during the construction season.  Driving is frequent during construction season.   Most time in November through April is spent in a normal office environment.  Time planning requires significant effort. 
 
Sedentary Work:  Activities include fingering, talking, hearing/listening, seeing/observing.   Work is classified as sedentary: Exerting up to a 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.  Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.
 
Some requirements in this job description may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.  All requirements are subject to modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
 
Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and experience required.  To perform this job successfully, the worker must possess the abilities and aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
 
This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship.  The City Administrator retains the discretion to add duties or change the duties of this position at any time.