Civil Engineer I

Under general supervision, work involves reviewing construction documents for sound engineering design and performing project management for the design and construction of departmental capital improvement projects related to roadway, bridge and drainage improvements. Work also involves providing technical support in responding to citizen concerns pertaining to drainage, erosion, traffic, or other departmental issues.

Position level will be dependent upon experience with higher level position performing engineering tasks of greater complexity and responsibility. The current vacancy is stormwater focused.  Work will include assisting the department with MS4 permit compliance through the implementation of BMPs, both structural and programmatic.

The review of stormwater master plans, drainage studies, and water quality computations are a focus of this position. It will require a thorough knowledge of stormwater systems to include their function and implementation.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Reviews commercial and subdivision construction site plans and calculations for compliance with State, Federal and City codes and engineering standards; Reviews Public Works and Public Utilities capital projects for compliance with State, Federal, and City codes and engineering standards.

Reviews preliminary subdivision plats for consistency with storm drainage and traffic master plans.

Provides support for Erosion & Sediment Control Program; reviews land clearing plans, erosion and sediment control plans, and bond estimates; issues permits; coordinates inspections; cites violations as appropriate.

Responds to citizen concerns pertaining to drainage, erosion, traffic, or other departmental issues.

Performs project management; administers contracts and manages design of capital improvement projects, involving streets, drainage, utilities, or facility improvements; oversees preparation of contract specifications and other bid documents for procurement of construction contracts; conducts public bid openings, acts on award recommendations, prepares certification of funds, and oversees contract execution; reviews payment and change order requests from engineering consultants, contractors, and vendors; coordinates projects with utilities department personnel for projects involving common design considerations; travels to project sites and conducts site inspections as needed.

Coordinates activities of engineers, contractors, surveyors, consultants, or other professionals for project design and construction; meets with developers/engineers to discuss City policies and standards in design planning.

Coordinates work activities with inspection staff to enforce objectives of City codes and programs.

Coordinates work activities with Right of Way staff for capital project acquisition requirements.

Coordinates closely with Virginia Department of Transportation throughout project development and construction.

Provides technical support for development of a Stormwater Quality Management Program to comply with requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.

Provides input for updating of City Engineering Standards, Specifications, and Procedures document.

Conducts drainage studies of problematic basins.

Performs quantity takeoffs and cost estimates for proposed projects and economic development initiatives.

Assists with preparation of grant proposals for special funding or for City projects/studies.

Researches new construction methods, materials, and procedures; makes decisions or recommendations for City use.

Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, permits, citations, bid documents, bid specifications, requests for proposal, bid summaries, contracts, drainage studies, cost estimates, time sheets, grant proposals, designs/drawings, spreadsheets, presentations, or other documents.

Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, commercial construction site plans, subdivision construction site plans, blueprints, preliminary subdivision plats, right of was acquisition plats, land clearing plans, erosion and sediment control plans, bond estimates, bids, contracts, change order requests, payment requests, storm drainage and traffic master plans, City codes, engineering standards, policies, procedures, professional literature, product literature, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.

Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, computer aided design (CAD), e-mail, Internet, or other programs; performs basic maintenance of computer system and office equipment, such as backing up data or replacing paper, ink, or toner.

Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, City officials, engineering consultants, survey consultants, contractors, vendors, property owners, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Attends various meetings, serves on committees, and makes presentations as needed.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new methods, materials, trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

Updates computer databases of information pertaining to capital improvement project projects, subdivision and commercial developments, or other projects; monitors availability of funding in accounts.

Maintains database of unit bid prices and construction costs.

Updates time sheets for billing of staff time.

Assists citizens in reviewing plans for proposed City/State construction projects.

Prepares permits and collects payments for rules enforced by the department.

Performs general/clerical tasks, which may include answering telephone calls, typing documents, making copies of standard documents and blueprints, sending/receiving faxes, filing documentation, or processing incoming/outgoing mail.

Performs other related duties as required.

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or closely related field plus:

Civil Engineer I:  5 months previous experience and/or training involving engineering plan review, project management, computer-aided engineering design, or personal computer operations. Prefers Engineer-in-Training certification.

 Must obtain DEQ Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Review Certifications and DEQ Stormwater Plan Review within 12 months of employment.  Requires a valid driver's license.

Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the City and of departmental practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the position of Civil Engineer I/II/III.

Knowledge of civil engineering and construction principles, practices, and procedures as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities.

Ability to read and interpret various types of construction documents, such as contracts, commercial site plans, subdivision plats and site plans, blueprints, or flood maps.

Ability to review design and construction of facilities, soil erosion and sediment control, site and right-of-way drainage, and road construction.

Knowledge of engineering standards to review site plans relating to traffic, grading, hydrology, storm drainage, infrastructure layout, utilities, materials, or other engineering aspects.

Ability to make engineering judgments/decisions in evaluating field and site plan problems.

Knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department.

Ability to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, policies, etc., as they pertain to departmental operations and activities.

Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and related information.

Ability to effectively communicate and interact with supervisors, contractors, members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.

Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner. Is able to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision as situations warrant.

Ability to use mathematical formulas to develop complex formulas and handle required calculations, and is able to explain the theoretical basis for formulas used.

Knowledge and proficiency with computers and related software programs.

Ability to read, understand, and interpret financial, technical, engineering, and construction reports and related materials.

Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.

Ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility.

Ability to read a variety of informational and technical documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.

Ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice.

Ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.

Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.

Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; the ability to interpret graphs; the ability to calculate surface areas, volumes, weights, and measures; the ability to perform moderately complex algebraic and geometric operations; the ability to utilize principles of calculus; and the ability to perform and interpret statistical calculations.

Ability to inspect items for proper length, width, and shape, visually with a planimeter, engineer's scale, drafting instruments, and measuring instruments.