PRINCIPAL 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 general direction, supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for major and minor engineering, development, and/or construction projects; ensures work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures; and performs a full range of advanced level professional engineering duties involved in completing the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

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.

• Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for major and minor engineering, development, and/or construction projects including projects in the private development sector, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects, and federally funded projects.
• As assigned, oversees the Engineering Design Section including the preparation of survey requests, environmental initial studies forms, project design including computer drafting of plans, bid specifications, engineering elements of projects as required, bid documents, and City Council agenda items for award of bids; monitors all projects in design.
• As assigned, serves as project manager for federally funded projects including federally funded street improvement projects; prepares grant funding applications and budgets; develops project scope; prepares consultant agreements; coordinates, selects, and manages consultants; reviews plans, specifications, and estimates; coordinates project approvals; prepares and monitors project schedules.
• As assigned, serves as project manager and City representative for multi-agency programs and projects; prepares plans and correspondence; attends meetings and presents information; develops regional procedures.
• Establishes schedules and methods for providing assigned services; identifies resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly.
• Participates in the development of goals and objectives as well as policies and procedures; makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing standards, policies, and procedures; participates in the implementation of approved policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Participates in the selection of assigned professional and paraprofessional staff as well as contractors and consultants; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline procedures.
• Responds to and resolves citizen and staff inquiries, concerns, and complaints in a timely and effective manner.
• Performs the more technical and complex tasks of the work unit including preparing plans, specifications, and calculations for special City projects as necessary.
• Performs constructability review of plans and specifications for assigned projects; reviews structural calculation from other departments as necessary.
• Prepares project certifications; prepares requests for project authorizations; prepares invoices for reimbursement; documents procedures and approvals.
• Processes invoices for consultant and other agency services; reviews invoices; confirms work in progress and schedule; monitors budgets; approves invoices; appeals incorrect invoices.
• Participates in the preparation and administration of the assigned program and/or project budget; submits budget recommendations; monitors expenditures.
• Maintains records concerning operations and programs; prepares reports on operations and activities.
• Serves as staff on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees including City commissions, councils, and planning groups; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and
  developments in the field of engineering; incorporates new developments as appropriate into programs.
• 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:

• Operations, services, and activities of assigned engineering program.
• Civil, structural, electrical, traffic, geotechnical, and mechanical engineering principles and practices.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles and practices of project management, administration, and coordination.
• Design standards.
• General accounting principles and practices.
• General construction principles and practices.
• 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.
• Customer service principles and techniques.

Ability to:

• Coordinate and direct assigned Engineering Division programs, section, and/or work group.
• Supervise, select, organize, and review the work of assigned staff involved in providing engineering services.
• Select, train, and evaluate staff.
• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, policies and procedures for providing assigned engineering services and activities.
• Understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Understand, interpret, and apply general and specific administrative and departmental policies and procedures as well as applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Prepare clean and concise administrative, engineering and financial reports.
• Participate in the development and administration of program goals, objectives, and procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budgets.
• Prepare project scope and contract documents.
• Prepare and review the preparation of plans and specifications for a variety of public works projects.
• 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 provision of a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• 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 is required. 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 to 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. FREQUENT walking, standing, sitting, fine-finger dexterity to manipulate computer, operate and calibrate equipment. OCCASIONAL bending and stooping, squatting, pushing/pulling, twisting at waist, upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; lifting objects weighing up to 10 lbs. from below waist to above shoulders and transporting distances up to 200 yards; lifting objects weighing 11-50 lbs. from below waist to waist level and transporting distances up to 200 yards with or without assistance; grasp and grip to lift and carry equipment; hand and arm strength and foot dexterity to operate automobile or light pickup. INFREQUENT crawling, climbing, reaching at and above shoulder height, kneeling, balancing above ground; lifting objects weighing 11-50 lbs. from chest level to above shoulders, with or without assistance.

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: August 2004
Revised by MH/Department