Associate Engineer (Water Resources and Environmental)

Department: Engineering & Operations

Disclaimer:

The specific statements shown in each section of this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

Definition:

Under general supervision, performs planning, design, construction management, and overall project management of routine and complex water and recycled water projects.

Supervision Received/Exercised:

General supervision is provided by the Director of Engineering and Operations. Direct supervision is provided by the Engineering Manager of Water Resources and Environmental. Responsibilities include direct supervision of the Principal Engineering Design Technician and any other technician(s) in the Engineering Division.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as a project manager on minor and major Authority projects, directing the work of assigned project staff and consultants in the planning, design, and construction of Authority facilities.
• Plans, schedules, and monitors progress on projects to assure completion on schedule and within budget.   Recommends changes to meet goals.
• Prepares design calculations, detailed drawings, and specifications for various water and recycled facility projects.
• Drafts and finalizes proposals and contract documents for bidding contractor services.  Administers and evaluates proposals and bids.  Prepares Board staff reports recommending action.
• Administers consultant selection process and reviews, evaluates, and reports on work prepared by consultants.   Administers consultant contracts.
• Assist and/or design pipeline, tank, pump station, and other water facility related structures from concept to working design: request facility information; perform engineering calculations; manage the permitting process; develop and approve material lists; approve jurisdictional information; align locations; design layouts and connections, and identify staking locations for construction.
• Makes construction site inspections to follow project progress and resolves problems related to drawings, materials, and workmanship; approving change orders or obtaining necessary authorizations.
• Designs and conducts investigations and studies, researches and develops recommendations, and prepares reports associated with Authority facilities and operations.
• Coordinates and reviews the work of engineers, consultants, technicians, drafters, inspectors, and surveyors assigned to a project.
• Interprets data from tests made on materials in field and laboratory for conformance to constructions documents.
• Analyzes hydraulics using computer models, and coordinates the testing of pipelines to establish rate of flow and pressure for operations purposes.  Collects and evaluates data to project future pipeline needs and storage requirements.
• Conducts and participates in meetings related to project planning, design, construction, and interagency coordination. 
• Support with the Infrastructure and Inspection engineering teams, Environmental division, and Watershed Caretaker division, to develop working knowledge of field inspection procedures within the division, capital improvement projects, and system infrastructure, supporting integrated project delivery.
• Prepares agendas and issues comprehensive meeting minutes.
• Makes oral presentations and participates in administrative hearings, public meetings, or related investigations as a representative of the Authority.
• Participates in and documents continuous improvements made to procedures. 
• Assists in the development of design and construction standards, development guidelines, Rates and Rules and Supplement to the Rates and Rules
• Prepares and finalizes reimbursement and financing agreements with developers.
• Assists with the development and implementation of the Authority’s Strategic Plan, Performance Measures and Asset Management Program.
• Participates in and leads the work of personnel in the performance of technical, paraprofessional engineering, and administrative work; plan, schedule, oversee and review the work of assigned staff; serve as project manager for planning and capital improvement projects.
• Supervises staff to include: Prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff members are trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment.
• Trains and instructs others in the work; provide technical assistance to others.
• Prepares a variety of technical reports, specifications, graphs, forms, charts and correspondence; write periodic progress reports on construction and expansion projects; prepare a variety of engineering documents, which may include Request for Proposals and/or Request for Qualifications, work orders, engineering letters, maps, plans, and other related documents.
• Creates engineering maps and sketches.
• Performs Plan Check services - Review water plans for new developments, services, subdivisions, and main extensions for conform­ance to Authority standards, construction standards and the Authority's policies; calculates, quotes and assures proper distribution of fees; prepares hydraulic calculations; reviews subdivision and parcel maps and easements; assures legal easements are obtained when applicable; reviews plans and subdivision maps to verify that all required corrections have been made before final approval by the district; files notices of completion, as-built plans and updates map plats.
• Review and evaluate studies, designs, reports and records generated by other departments and outside entities.
• Review specifications and drawings prior to the start of construction and make recommendations for change or approval; confer with supervisors, engineers, consultants, and contractors regarding inter­pretation of documents.
• Research water availability and determine water requirements for various land parcels and proposed developments. Other duties of a similar engineering, design, and construction management nature.
• Represents the Authority at meetings with agencies, developers, and professional organizations.
• Operates a vehicle as required.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles, practices, methods, and materials of engineering as applied to the planning, design, and construction of water facilities.
• Principles and practices of project management techniques.
• Principles and practices of supervision.
• Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and standards.
• Technical criteria, policies, procedures, design, and construction practices.
• Computers and applicable software applications including ArcGIS and AutoCAD Civil 3D, InfoWater, engineering applications and basic GIS database administration principles.
• Modern developments, current literature, and sources of engineering and/or planning information.
• Applicable environmental laws, safety, and regulatory codes related to development and construction of water facilities.
• Principles of report writing and correspondence.
• Principles of mathematical calculations.
• Hydraulic and hydrology principles.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Appropriate safety precautions, procedures, practices and regulations.

Ability to:

• Prepare or coordinates preparation of accurate engineering drawings, specifications and cost estimates.
• Collect, analyze, interpret and synthesize a wide variety of data and information.
• Operate a variety of assigned equipment, modern computers, and technical software.
• Maintain complete, accurate records and documentation.
• Review and interpret engineering reports and environmental documents.
• Plan and organize work to meet deadlines.
• Prepare, present, and write clear, comprehensive, accurate, and persuasive oral and written reports.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• Follow established codes, policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Perform work in accordance with safety regulations.
• Deal courteously and appropriately with the public.
• Work as a team and build consensus.
• Operate a vehicle while observing legal and defensive driving practices.
• Operate assigned equipment as required.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all levels of employees and customers.
• Train, coach, and review the work of other engineers and technicians.
• Exercise sound, judgment, with political sensitivity, within general policy guidelines
• Exercise tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with highly sensitive, complex, confidential and controversial issues and situations.
• Independently manage time and given assignments.
• Accept and manage responsibility for given assignments.
• Perform technical research and provide reliable advice on water engineering problems.
• Keyboard proficiently.
• Handle numerous information requests in a timely manner.
• Use interpersonal skills effectively as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Education/Training/Experience (positions in this class typically require):
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Engineering or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years’ experience in engineering preferably performing planning, design and project management for water, and recycled water facilities projects and operations.

Licenses/Certifications – Required Conditions of Employment:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License. 
• Maintain an acceptable, safe, and active driving record, together with proof of insurability.
• Possess EIT – Engineer in Training Certificate, with the requirement of obtaining P.E. within two (2) years from start date.
• Preferred – Possess a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer (P.E.) in the State of California.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• Hear normal conversation in person and on the telephone.
• Mobility of arms to reach, and the dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects and to write legibly.
• Visual ability (which may be corrected) to read small print and video messages, including good peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Speak in a normal voice; able to be heard and understood on the telephone, in person, and to communicate clearly and concisely.
• Sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Use office equipment such as personal computers, copiers and fax machines.
• Operate standard passenger vehicles.
• Lift, carry, push or pull up to thirty-five (35) pounds. 
• Keyboarding for extended periods of time.
• Fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
• Mobility to stand and walk, stoop and bend and extend legs on uneven ground.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing tasks, which includes respirators.
• Climb ladders and stairs on water storage tanks and facilities and work on top of these structures.
• Work in noisy environments.

Working Hours:

• Flex Schedule: Monday through Thursday 7:30 A.M. – 5:30 P.M. (9/80); Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., and every other Friday off or, as assigned by the supervisor.

Other Conditions:
It is important that incumbents in this position maintain a professional and businesslike image to the public at all times:  

• A neat, clean and pressed appearance in clothing, hair and personal hygiene is important every day.   
• Good judgment is expected in determining proper dress and appearance. 
• All facial hair must be kept neat and trimmed.

Sweetwater Authority is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].