Civil Engineer, Senior

Summary

The purpose of this classification is to perform technical, professional, managerial, and administrative work functions associated with city engineering. This classification plans, coordinates, supervises, and performs activities involved in development of all plans, specifications, construction, and cost estimates for capital projects and operations and maintenance engineering. Employees in this classification may serve as specialist in a recognized branch of engineering, and are responsible for handling, in a largely independent manner, all complexities and facets of their assigned work, including providing answers to sensitive and controversial issues.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this classification. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification.

Other duties may be required and assigned. Specific duties listed may not be required for all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

Ensures supervisors and staff are aware of and follow all City safety policies and procedures. Ensures supervisors and staff have the proper personal protective equipment necessary to mitigate job hazards. Consults with Safety Director to ensure proper safety training is provided to supervisors and staff.

Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff, processing employee concerns and problems, directing work, counseling, disciplining, and completing employee performance appraisals.

Oversees engineering work involving the location, design, construction and maintenance of traffic control and road systems, potable and raw water systems, storm drainage systems, and wastewater systems.

Prepares plans, specifications and cost estimates for traffic and road construction, potable and raw water construction, storm drainage construction, and wastewater construction; inspects traffic control and road construction projects, potable and raw water construction, drainage construction, and wastewater construction; monitors status of work in progress.

Interprets and enforces applicable laws, regulations, and policies such as subdivision regulations, site development permits, and other city policies including the Water Main Extension Policy, flood zone regulations, and road/bridge weight regulations.

Establishes materials specifications; estimates quantities and costs of materials/labor; coordinates availability of necessary labor, materials, and equipment.

Attends meetings as required; responds to questions and requests for information/assistance by telephone or in person from the general public, employees, the media, officials or other persons; meets with citizens and investigates complaints about public infrastructure.

Maintains and/or acquires a general understanding of the functions and use of geographic information systems (GIS) and systems modeling in performing the duties of the job.

Researches and writes easements; obtains easements from property owners; explains engineering plans to citizens affected by public infrastructure projects.

Performs research functions; compiles/analyzes data; gathers, collates, and maintains information, maps, and statistics for use in planning departmental projects and activities; prepares/distributes related reports.

Reviews engineering plans for commercial development and subdivisions; reviews/interprets maps, plats, site plans, blueprints, architectural drawings, and construction plans.

Assembles and prepares analysis of basic data and field information regarding all public infrastructure.

Prepares division budget recommendations; monitors expenditures; reviews/approves invoices and forwards for payment.

Answers the telephone; provides information, guidance, and assistance; takes and relays messages and/or directs calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls.

Processes documentation related to departmental payroll and forwards as appropriate.

Consults with supervisors, regulatory agency personnel, the mayor, city council, engineers, contractors, utility companies, developers, and other agency officials to review departmental operations, discuss problems, coordinate activities, develop long-term plans, provide technical expertise, and receive advice/direction.

Responds to questions and requests for information/assistance by telephone or in person from the general public, employees, the media, officials or other persons.

Composes, prepares, receives, reviews, and/or approves forms, requests, charts, records, blueprints, reports, correspondence, and documents associated with daily responsibilities of this position; reviews, processes, responds, forwards, maintains, and/or takes other action.

Investigates and recommends response to legal claims for damages from the city regarding public infrastructure issues.

Coordinates divisions, departments, or citywide activities in times of emergency.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws/regulations and new standards in technology; reads professional literature and maintains professional affiliations.

May supervise the work of all professional and sub-professional engineering personnel.

Assists with developing short and long-range goals.

Receives general direction and reports to City Engineer, who informs the engineers of projects needing to be done and/or overall goals for the department. Employees in this classification are expected to work independently and exercise discretion and judgment.

Develops, recommends, and directs immediate and long-range plans, specifications, and cost estimates for public infrastructure projects; manages contract engineering and construction projects.

Performs research functions; compiles/analyzes data; gathers, collates, and maintains information, maps, and statistics for use in planning departmental projects and activities; prepares/distributes related reports; monitors status/progress of programs; drafts ordinance recommendations.

Must have a thorough knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations.

Must have thorough knowledge of engineering terminology, principles, and theories.

Must have thorough knowledge of legal terminology used in construction documents.

Must have thorough knowledge of construction contract administration.

Must have knowledge of planning, forecasting, and budgeting techniques.

Must have the ability to perform complex problem analysis and supervisory practices.

Ability to analyze difficult engineering data; ability to read and interpret engineering plans and specifications; ability to make recommendations involving system planning, engineering design and construction; ability to make accurate engineering computations; ability to direct and coordinate the work of engineering personnel; ability to oversee municipal projects from conception to completion; ability to deal with the public; ability to write detailed technical reports; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Recommends policies and procedures that guide and support the provision of quality services by the department.

Incorporates continuous quality improvement principles in day-to-day activities.

Must accomplish the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, in a timely manner.

Must meet regular attendance requirements.

Must be able to maintain good interpersonal relationships with staff, co-workers, managers, and citizens.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering required. One (1) year of supervisory experience required.

Must possess a professional engineering license from any state and possess a minimum of five (5) years' experience with progressive responsibility to apply for this position; however, the State of Alabama Professional Engineering License must be obtained prior to completion of the probationary period. Failure to obtain the State of Alabama Professional Engineering License will terminate employment. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.

Current city employees who possess the State of Alabama Professional Engineering License and meet the five (5) years' experiencewith progressive responsibility as a Civil Engineer with the City of Tuscaloosa may be reclassified to Civil Engineering, Senior at the request of the City Engineer.

Minimum Requirements to Perform Essential Job Functions

The following requirements are normal for this classification. Specific requirements may not apply to all positions within this classification but are determined by the normal requirements for the particular position.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to operate a service vehicle and a variety of tools and automated office equipment including a computer, printer, scientific calculator, copiers, facsimile machines, telephone, drafting instruments, engineers' level, crowbar, tire tool, etc. Physical demand requirements are at levels of those for light work.

DATA COMPREHENSION: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things which may include maps, blueprints, directories, ordinances, engineering books, procedural manuals, and operational manuals.

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to speak with and/or signal people to convey or exchange personnel, legal, financial, and technical information, including giving/receiving assignments and/or directions to/from co-workers, assistants, managers, or supervisors as well as communicating with the general public, the Mayor, City Council, and State/Federal regulatory officials.

LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires ability to read a variety of legal, civil/hydrology engineering, financial, and personnel documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures.

Requires the ability to write job related documentation and reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice such as in public speaking situations before the city council, media, community groups and the general public.

INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand complex civil/hydrology engineering, financial and personnel-related information, and operational principles and techniques, to understand departmental policies and procedures, to make independent judgments in absence of supervision, and to acquire and be able to expound on knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.

VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, and to follow verbal and written instructions.

NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to add and subtract, multiply and divide, calculate decimals and percentages; determine time and weight, utilize advanced algebraic, geometric, and trigonometric formulas, generate descriptive statistics, and utilize differential calculus.

FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape using job related equipment that includes drafting instruments and engineers' rule.

MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using job-related equipment and to operate a motor vehicle.

MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, machinery, automated office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc.

Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting motion or turning motion while coordinating opposite hand with different activities. Must have average levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

COLOR DIFFERENTIATION: May require the ability to discern color.

INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with and relate to people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be able to adapt to and perform under considerable stress when confronted with an emergency.

PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk, express, or exchange ideas by means of spoken words and/or hear and perceive nature of sounds by ear.