DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING

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, assists in directing, managing, supervising, and coordinating the activities and operations within the Engineering Services Department by managing multiple sections, work groups, and/or service areas including the City’s Capital Improvement Program, engineering design, field inspection, surveying, park development, and related operations, functions, and program areas; coordinates assigned activities with other sections, divisions, departments, and outside agencies; and provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Director of Engineering Services.

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.

• Assists in the management of the Engineering Services Department; assumes responsibility for managing multiple sections, work groups, and/or service areas including the City’s Capital Improvement Program, engineering design, field inspection, surveying, park development, and related operations, functions, and program areas.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for assigned service areas, programs, and operations; plans and coordinates the review and approval of the City’s annual five-year street Capital Improvement Program; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
• Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Coordinates the budgeting, planning, design, bidding, and construction administration activities for a wide variety of engineering projects including arterial roadways and traffic signals, utility and drainage projects, City parks and street landscaping, and public buildings such as police and fire stations, libraries, sports centers, and community centers.
• Manages the City’s Engineering Design Section including activities related to planning, designing, and bidding a wide variety of engineering improvement projects.
• Manages the City’s Field Engineering Office providing construction administration, field inspection, and survey services for engineering improvement projects.
• Provides management and oversight for federally funded arterial roadway projects being planned and constructed within the City.
• Provides management and oversight for the City’s neighborhood, community, and regional park development program including street right-of-way landscaping projects.
• Oversees and administers the operations of assigned sections and programs in compliance with federal, state, and local guidelines, requirements, and regulations; provides oversight for translating new law into functional activity for compliance.
• Participates in the development and administration of the Engineering Services Department annual budget; participates in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors and approves expenditures; implements adjustments.
• 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.
• Provides responsible staff assistance to the Director of Engineering Services; conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to assigned utilities programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Manages and participates in the preparation and review of a variety of reports; conducts studies and prepares reports for current and long-range engineering projects.
• Serves as the liaison for assigned sections, work groups, and service areas of the Engineering Services Department to other sections, divisions, departments, and outside agencies; participates in meetings with City staff, vendors, consultants, and regulatory agencies; meets with contractors, private engineers, property owners, and developers to act on behalf of the City; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Coordinates capital projects within the City and with other public agencies such as the North County Transit District, Caltrans, and school districts; represents the City at various federal, state, and regional agencies such as SANDAG, LAFCO, RWQCB, and FHWA.
• Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees including City Council, Planning Commission, and Transportation Commission; 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.
• Oversees and participates in providing customer service to internal and external customers; responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Provides vacation and temporary relief as needed.
• 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 assigned engineering program areas including Capital Improvement Program, engineering design, field inspection, surveying, park development, and related operations, functions, and program areas.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Civil engineering principles and practices.
• 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 design and procedure manual for engineering administration.
• Public bidding process and contracting procedures for engineering projects.
• Construction procedures and contract administration principles and practices.
• 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.

Ability to:

• Oversee and participate in the management of multiple sections, work groups, and/or service areas within a comprehensive engineering department.
• Oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff.
• Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Participate in the development and administration of goals, objectives, and procedures for assigned areas of responsibility.
• 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.
• Read and interpret engineering and construction plans and specifications and interpret them to others.
• Manage, direct, and schedule complex public improvement projects and programs.
• Prioritize multiple, complex projects and programs within specific time frames.
• Estimate costs and develop budgets to carry out engineering programs.
• Oversee and participate in the compilation of data, maintenance of records and files, and the preparation of clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Understand the organization, operation, and services of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Ensure adherence to established safety rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Oversee and participate in the provision of 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 Engineering Services 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: Seven years of increasingly responsible civil engineering experience including three years of administrative and 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.

Revised: August 2007
MH/Department

Date: April 2003
Johnson & Associates