Program Manager - Engineering

Full Job Description

Career Opportunity:

The city of Las Vegas invites applicants for Program Manager - Engineering.

This position directs, supervises and coordinates the engineering design and management of assigned projects of the public works capital improvement program; and performs a variety of administrative tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is a licensed professional civil engineer with proven experience with complex public works capital improvement projects and/or infrastructure programs in a municipal or public agency environment. This individual combines strong technical expertise with practical project and/or program management skills, and is comfortable supervising staff, coordinating with multiple stakeholders, and ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with applicable regulations. They communicate clearly, exercise sound professional judgment, and approach challenges with a collaborative, solutions-focused mindset.

Strong candidates will typically bring experience in the following areas:

• Managing municipal capital improvement projects from planning and design through construction support
• Supervising and developing professional, technical, and administrative staff
• Coordinating with consultants, contractors, utility companies, and public agencies
• Ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local engineering standards, regulations, and funding requirements
• Preparing and reviewing plans, specifications, cost estimates, bid documents, and technical studies
• Budget development, expenditure tracking, and program-level financial oversight
• Resolving complex technical issues and responding to sensitive public or stakeholder concerns
• Presenting information clearly in meetings, public settings, and interagency coordination efforts

Selection Process:

The selection process will include a review of all applications with only the most qualified participating in an interview. Final candidate selection will include hiring interview (if applicable). Any individual offered employment will be required to pass a pre-employment drug test and complete background check. Some positions may require preliminary background checks.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives direction from higher level management.

Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff.

Requirements

Essential Functions:

1. Manage assigned annual elements of the capital improvement program (CIP), including project funding, expenditure accounting, engineering design and project coordination with the public and other agencies.
2. Manage and participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
3. Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of program delivery methods and procedures; recommend, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels.
4. Plan, prioritize, assign, direct, coordinate and supervise the work of assigned staff responsible for the design of capital improvement projects; assign work activities; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures; meet with staff, consultants, contractors, other entities and the general public to identify and resolve problems.
5. Establish schedules and methods for providing design services; identify resource needs; review needs with appropriate management staff; allocate resources accordingly.
6. Consult with private contractors, engineers, utility companies, architects and staff; oversee the planning, funding, expenditure accounting and design of various public works capital improvement projects.
7. Resolve sensitive, controversial and complex technical problems involving engineering and construction management staff, consultants, contractors and the general public.
8. Prepare analytical and statistical reports on operations and activities; assign and schedule projects; oversee and participate in the preparation of plans, specifications, cost and quantity estimates, bid documents and bidability/constructability reviews.
9. Coordinate and prioritize projects with other city departments, county and state highway department and other relevant agencies or parties; serve as liaison for the division with other city departments, divisions and outside agencies; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
10. Exercise professional engineering judgment in accordance with currently accepted practices of civil engineering and appropriate laws and codes, and to achieve results consistent with objectives.
11. Participate in the selection of professional and technical engineering staff; provide or coordinate staff training; plan, direct, coordinate and review the work plan for assigned staff; assign work activities, projects and programs; establish work priorities and schedules; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures; prepare and conduct formal performance evaluations;work with employees to develop short and long term goals, monitor accomplishments, establish performance requirements and personal development targets and provide coaching for performance improvement and development.
12. Serve as staff on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
13. Participate in the preparation and administration of the section budget; submit budget recommendations; monitor and control expenditures.
14. Perform technical research; prepare and review engineering reports.
15. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

Marginal Functions:

1. Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of civil engineering.
2. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

Experience:

Two years of professional (post-license) civil engineering experience including two years of supervisory, administrative or project management responsibility.

Training:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major in civil engineering. A combination of formal education and directly related work experience may substitute for the degree. The City assesses 1.5 years of full-time experience as equivalent to one year of education.

License or Certificate:

Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license on the date of appointment.

Possession of a professional civil engineer license on the date of application, and possession of a professional civil engineer license in the state of Nevada within 6 months of the date of appointment.

Possession of Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is desirable.

Additional Information

Knowledge of:

Modern principles and practices of municipal administration and organization.Operational characteristics, services and activities of an administrative services program.Management skills to analyze programs, policies and operational needs.Principles and practices of program development and administration.Operational characteristics, as applicable to a municipal engineering capital improvement program, of the Federal Highway Administration, Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Transit Administration, Nevada Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation Commission, Regional Flood Control District, U.S.

Congress, Department of Energy and other federal departments.Operations, services and activities of an engineering design program.Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.Modern and complex principles and practices of civil engineer.Analytical and statistical reporting techniques.Principles and practices of budget preparation and control.Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

Manage large and complex public works projects.
Ensure project compliance with applicable federal, state and local rules, laws and regulations.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, recommend best options and implement approved solution in support of goals.
Manage multiple projects and priorities.
Interpret, apply, explain and enforce applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Competencies:
In addition to Core Workforce and Supervisor Competencies:

Executive Competencies

Establishing Trust – Noticing, interpreting and anticipating others concerns and feelings; creating opportunities for collaborative, respectful dialogue; showing trust in others first and holding self and others accountable for words and behaviors that build community; using face to face communication as a primary means to build trust within the organization.

Communicating Clarity – Developing and communicating goals in support of the city mission, vision and purpose; clarifying direction of work, roles and expectations for successful attainment of objectives.

Providing Recognition – Identifying and recognizing employees at all levels for their ideas, work and achievements; providing opportunities for both formal and informal recognition within the organization; creating a culture of peer recognition and encouragement.

Reinforcing Organizational Health – Routinely reviewing existing processes, practices and policies to ensure a balance in the ability to work productively and efficiently with employee needs for empowerment and development; changing processes, practices and policies when necessary to achieve the balance; establishing regular professional development time for each employee so they have opportunities to attend classes and other activities to enhance their professional growth; meeting regularly with employees.

Thinking Globally – Finding effective solutions and prioritizing problems using holistic, "big picture" thinking; putting the needs of the broader organization or community ahead of the needs of an individual department or community; developing and analyzing both near and long term impacts of decisions.

Business and Political Acumen – Having expertise in technical, political and budgetary leadership responsibilities; preparing and presenting complex concepts and proposals in a respectful, collaborative, understandable way to build community; comparing competing priorities and agendas looking for ways to establish a win/win solution whenever possible; speaking at community events and to the media to enhance the city's reputation and standing with the broader community.

Community Engagement – Identifying and working with different communities, whether internal, external or both, to achieve city mission, vision and purpose; including groups of stakeholders in decisions that affect them, directly or indirectly, whenever possible to do so; acting on decisions and strategies developed through community engagement.