Engineer

Full Job Description

Functions as a project manager over highly complex small to medium-scale public works projects.

Manages multiple public works projects simultaneously and continuously, including short or long-term projects.

Develops, prepares, establishes and implements project management plan, scope of work, work plans, schedules, and cost estimates to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, adhere to established plans, specifications and quality goals.

Responsible for project planning, monitoring and tracking key project progress and performance measures, final reports and adjusting project plans and resources.

Provides Professional Engineering certification for numerous public works projects in various stages of completion.

Provides technical guidance, consultation and evaluates qualifications of engineering firms to determine the best qualified firms for providing professional services for a variety of projects.

Serves as the team leader, or team member, or field supervisor in an interdisciplinary group of professionals and technicians involved with project planning, environmental review, design, construction management, and production of project plans, specifications, and estimates as well as on-site inspections and field engineering.

Measures and monitors projects to identify variances from the Project Management Plan and initiates corrective action as needed. Performs all work using appropriate safety procedures.

This position focuses on hydraulic drainage solutions.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the second in a series of three engineering-related job classifications within the Engineering and Architectural job family.

This classification is distinguished by the scope size of the project work, license as a Professional Engineer (P.E.), and required additional experience.

This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

Functions as project manager over small to medium public works projects. Develops scope of public works projects, project schedules and budgets.

Conducts feasibility research studies and analysis of site, ownership, required permits and available utilities.

May analyze roadway conditions, subdivision plats, street and drainage plans and site plan, field conditions.

Prepares or oversees the preparation of plans, specifications and estimates for various transportation improvement projects.

Develops or oversees the development and completion of and completes project planning documents, designs, specifications and estimates.

Prepares or oversees the preparation of detailed preliminary engineering designs which include engineering drawings, schedules and estimates, planning and design of roadways, structures and parks, including hydraulic designs, traffic control, storm water management and water quality, environmental issues, construction quality assurance, contract administration, permit inspection and compliance, utility relocation coordination and inspection, and overall assurance of contractor compliance with project plans, specifications, estimates and various land surveys.

Reviews for compliance with appropriate standards and various permit and license applications, and develops and issues regulations. Develops and issues work orders.

Certifies and seals plans for public work projects.

Prepares or oversees preparation of construction documents, such as engineering plans and specifications, bid items, construction schedules and project cost estimates, coordinates construction documents prepared by interdisciplinary team, and interfaces with regulatory agency requirements.

Coordinates bid forms with construction documents, conducts bid conferences, evaluates bid tabulations and prepares addenda.

Functions as construction contract administrator and oversees consultants construction administrative contract.

Conducts construction conferences, reviews shop drawings, change orders and processes contractor's invoices.

Prepares a variety of engineering research and administrative materials, and develops correspondence, records, memorandums and reports, attends meetings and training sessions, responds to inquiries and concerns from private and public entities, and other County officials and departments.

May meet with neighborhood associations.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering AND two (2) years of directly related, increasingly responsible professional engineering design and project management experience.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Licensed to practice as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas issued by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers. If licensed in another state, must acquire license reciprocity in the State of Texas within six (6) months of date of hire.
Candidates with an Engineer-in-Training certification will be considered.
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred:
Advanced training in Project Management.
Familiarity with fluid mechanics.
Familiarity with practical design and implementation of hydraulic drainage systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Principles, procedures, practices, programs, systems, methods and techniques of engineering.
• Project management methodologies, practices and techniques.
• Advanced mathematical and statistical methods as used in engineering and planning.
• Principles of project management, including scheduling, estimating, contracts and budgeting.
• Management and supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, permits, licenses, practices, standards, policies and procedures.
• Recent developments and current literature regarding engineering.
• Methods, practices, and techniques of inspections, compliance and enforcement.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, databases, maps, records, graphics, project scheduling and management, and other related engineering applications.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Analyzing complex data, technical engineering data and reports.
• Contract management and project budgeting.
• Managing staff, allocating resources and evaluating programs.
• Leadership, collaboration and negotiation techniques.
• Applying principles and practices as used in engineering.
• Adapting approved engineering methods and standards a variety of engineering projects.
• Using and caring for equipment, tools and testing materials.
• Using and caring for computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), Geographic Information System (GIS) and other related electronic equipment.
• Explaining complicated technical problems in simple non-technical language.
• Problem-solving and technical decision-making for developing effective solutions.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations and communicating technical issues in non-technical language.

Ability to:

• Plan and prioritize programs, projects and activities.
• Perform complex engineering studies, analysis and design.
• Work independently.
• Exercise sound judgment and make decisions.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Perform technical research, calculations, and computations, and prepare plans and reports.
• Convey complex ideas and concepts verbally and in writing.
• Plan, assign, supervise, train and review the work of professional and technical subordinates.
• Interpret plans, specifications, standards, policies, procedures and regulatory codes.
• Respond to inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies or members of the professional community.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Make appropriate and effective public presentations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County employees and officials, developers, engineers, contractors, representatives of outside agencies, and the general public.

Additional Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-60 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, mental effort, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer, and viewing screens for long periods. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, driving, repetitive motion, and client/customer contact to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with noise, vibration, fumes, foul odor, dirt, dust, mist, gases, and poor ventilation. Requires use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, and gloves. Requires fieldwork, and exposure to traffic, public work development sites, construction site hazards, climbing and walking and traveling over rough, uneven, mud, rocky, high grass terrain, and indoors/outdoors in all types of weather (excessive heat and cold).

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. May work some holidays, some nights, some weekends
Location: 700 Lavaca Austin, Texas 78701
Department: TNR (Trans & Natrl Resrc)
Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.