ASSISTANT CITY ENGINEER

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under administrative direction, oversees, supervises, and coordinates the activities and operations of the Private Development Section within the Public Works Department’s Engineering Division; assists the Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer in the management of other sections, work groups, and/or service areas of the Engineering Division; coordinates assigned activities with other units, divisions, outside agencies, and the general public; and provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

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

• Assumes responsibility for the services and activities of the Private Development Section within the Public Works Department’s Engineering Division including the processing of private development projects and the customer service counter.
• Assists the Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer in the management of other sections, work groups, and/or service areas of the Engineering Division including the City’s design section, traffic section, GIS section, field engineering section and related operations, functions, and program areas; assumes responsibility for the Engineering Division in the absence of the Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer.
• Supervises the processing of private developments with other City departments, public agencies, outside engineering consultants, and developers.
• Coordinates and supervises the preparation of the Engineering Conditions of Approval for all types of private developments; coordinates and supervises plan checking of private developments’ engineering plans and maps.
• Coordinates the organization, staffing, and operational activities for the Private Development Section including to supervise the Engineering Division’s Customer Service Counter.
• Coordinates the Engineering Division’s Construction Stormwater Management Program.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities; recommends and implements resulting policies and procedures.
• Ensures that the activities and operations of the Private Development Section are responsive to the needs of the citizens of Escondido; identifies opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; identifies resource needs; reviews with appropriate management staff; implements improvements.
• Directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for Private Development Section services and activities; assigns work activities and projects; monitors work flow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training;
  works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversees safety programs for assigned sections and work groups; assists with action planning for safety programs; responds to workers’ compensation issues.
• Participates in the development and administration of assigned section budget; forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; recommends adjustments as necessary.
• Provides staff assistance to the Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer; conducts a variety of studies and investigations; develops and recommends modifications to engineering programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Directs the development and implementation of plans and programs to improve the efficiency of engineering operations including cost control programs, staff utilization studies, and work method improvements.
• Oversees and participates in the maintenance of records and related documentation; prepares performance and other reports detailing engineering workload and activities.
• Coordinates assigned activities with those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations; resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; represents the Assistant Director of Public Works/City Engineer at Planning Commission meetings; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering.
• Responds to and resolves citizen and staff inquiries, concerns, and complaints in a timely and effective manner.
• Performs related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of an engineering private development program.
• Civil engineering principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Principles and practices of project management, administration, and coordination.
• Local, regional, and state land development regulations and standards.
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• Customer service principles and techniques.

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of an engineering Private Development Section.
• Supervise, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Select, train, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of section goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Prepare and administer program budgets.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Read and interpret engineering and construction plans and specifications and interpret them to others.
• Prioritize multiple, complex projects and programs within specific time frames.
• Compile data, maintain records and files, and participate in the preparation of clear and concise reports.
• Oversee and participate in the providing a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public; tactfully and courteously represent the Public Works Department during public contacts.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a closely related field.

Experience: Six years of responsible civil engineering experience including two years of project management, administrative, and/or supervisory responsibility.

License or Certificate - Possession of a valid California Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer. Possession of an appropriate, valid driver’s license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

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 job functions.

Environment: Standard office setting with some travel from site to site. Some exposure noise, dust, and all types of weather and temperature conditions; work and/or walk on various types of surfaces including slippery or uneven surfaces and rough terrain. Work schedule is 9/80 with alternating Fridays off in a biweekly period. Work environment is both formal and informal, team oriented, having variable tasks, pace, and pressure. Overtime and attending meetings outside of regular work hours may be required. Work is primarily performed indoors in office and in meeting rooms.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an office setting and operate office equipment. CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; fine finger dexterity; light to moderate finger pressure to manipulate keyboard, equipment controls, and office equipment; pinch grasp to manipulate writing utensils. FREQUENT side-to-side turning of neck, walking, standing, bending, stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting at waist; moderate wrist torque to twist equipment knobs and dials; lifting objects weighing up to 20 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 yards. OCCASIONAL squatting, kneeling, and reaching above and at shoulder height; moderate grasp to manipulate reference books and manuals; lifting objects weighing 20-35 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 50 feet.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Date: April 2003
Johnson & Associates