Assistant Engineer (Capital Improvement Program)

Full Job Description

The City of Pasadena Public Works Department is currently seeking an Assistant Engineer.

Under general supervision, this position performs a variety of professional engineering work in the field and office; coordinates, assists, assigns, and oversees the work of professional and technical staff in engineering activities; manages capital projects; and performs related work as assigned.

Assistant Engineer is the entry-level class in the professional engineering series. Initially under immediate supervision, incumbents are responsible for the less complex office and field assignments.

Proficiency in the use of AutoCAD and ArcGIS is highly desired.

With experience and training, the work becomes progressively more diversified and difficult and requires increasing independence of judgement.

This class is distinguished from the Associate Engineer in that the latter works with less supervision and is considered experienced in performing the work.

An Assistant Engineer may be promoted to an Associate Engineer, consistent with the sliding classification concept, upon meeting the minimum requirements for the position and recommendation of the department head.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The Assistant Engineer will use their proactive thinking skills and problem-solving ability while working with other departments, agencies, and the public on various engineering and construction related issues.

The ideal candidate will be technically competent in their field and have a wide range of knowledge in Public Works infrastructure.

This person will have excellent interpersonal skills, time management skills, written and communication skills, project management skills; be customer focused, have a strong work ethic, and willing to be a team player.

AutoCAD/GIS experience is desirable. Experience designing transportation and/or street lighting projects is highly desirable.

Requirements

The major responsibilities of this position are listed below and may vary depending on assignment within the Engineering Division. For more detailed information, please review the Assistant Engineer job description.

• Designs and prepares drawings and specifications for a variety of departmental projects or programs; makes general engineering calculations in connection with field and office assignments.
• Assists in development of capital project from the cradle to grave.
• Prepares reports and required documents such as Field Observation Reports and project specifications.
• Responds to complaints and recommends solutions.
• Ensures safety requirements and standards.
• Participates in project and construction management as part of a team.
• Performs general engineering review analysis of designs and checks calculations; receives and checks applications and routine engineering plans submitted for permits; reviews for code compliance.
• Prepares specifications for proposals; reviews designs and evaluates proposals; evaluates bids; negotiates terms.
• Prepares agenda reports for contract award recommendations.
• Prepares contracts; develops schedules; conducts job walks; performs routine inspections at project sites for conformance with specifications and standards; identifies problems and recommends solutions; monitors costs; confers with other professional and technical staff to coordinate work; writes and processes Change Orders.
• Coordinates, schedules, assigns, trains and evaluates the work of professional and para-professional personnel.
• Directs and prepares contract documents and specifications; prepares quantity and cost estimates for construction projects; serves as contract administrator for construction work; conducts surveys and studies; oversees installations; investigates problems in the field and at sites; exercises cost control; prepares and submits reports.
• Participates in the preparation of project budgets; monitors costs; conducts a variety of studies; prepares reports and maintains engineering records; purchases equipment and materials.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with contractors, vendors, outside agencies, the public and City staff; attends meetings; makes presentations; responds to complaints and claims against the City.
• Gathers technical data required for planning a wide variety of engineering projects; provides technical assistance to others on computerized programs, major projects and programs; evaluates software and makes recommendations.
• Prepares a variety of documents and reports; assists in the preparation of grant funding applications.
• Prepares and assists in preparation of Agenda Reports in support of recommendations made to City Council.
• Evaluates and proposes solutions for resolution of citizen inquiries, requests, and concerns reported via the City’s Citizen Service Center program.
• Performs project site visits during the planning, design, and construction phases of a project’s development.

Qualifications

COMPETENCIES

The following list represents the core competencies needed for success in this position.

• Action & Results Focus – Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment.
• Attention to Detail – Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Involving Others – Engaging others for input, contribution, and shared responsibility for outcomes.
• Project Management - Ensuring that projects are on-time, on-budget, and achieve their objectives.
• Teamwork - Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Analyzing & Interpreting Data – Drawing meaning and conclusions from quantitative or qualitative data.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from college with a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
• An Engineer in Training (EIT) certificate issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers may substitute for the college degree. EIT certificate is highly desired.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who appear best qualified based on their application and supplemental application submitted will be invited to any combination of written, performance, and/or oral appraisal to further evaluate their job-related experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

VACANCY INFORMATION

There is currently one full-time vacancy in the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department.

The resulting eligibility list from this recruitment may be used to fill this vacancy and similar vacancies in the future.

Candidates selected for this position are subject to a one-year probationary work period.

Additional Information

Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and comply with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during the course of employment.