Civil Engineer II

The Civil Engineer II works in various locations across the City of Des Moines performing a variety of functions including; coordinating the design and construction of complex, civil engineering and public improvement projects in addition to other assigned work.  

• Engineering Department: Construction Engineer to provide project management and construction oversight for a variety of public building projects including fire stations, library facilities, police facilities, park facilities, public parking garages, office buildings, skywalk structures and bridges.
• Engineering Department: Design Engineer to provide planning, detailed design, project management, and construction oversight for a wide variety of capital improvement and public infrastructure projects including streets, park facilities, bridges, storm and sanitary sewer, sidewalks and river improvements.
• Engineering Department: Development Review Engineer to provide planning, permitting, technical guidance for private land development which includes the detailed review of public infrastructure construction drawings, subdivision plats, site plans, and stormwater management reports.
• Clean Water Division of Public Works: Planning Engineer
  • to evaluate storm and sanitary sewer needs to support development and re-development within the City of Des Moines.
  • to manage resident complaints, investigate storm and sanitary sewer issues, coordinate short term repairs with Sewer Operations, and plan capital projects being managed by the Engineering Department.

The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Alternative Work Arrangements 
• Volunteer Time
• Parental Leave
• Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
• 12 Paid Holidays 
• Health/Dental/Life Insurance 
• Wellness Programs
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)
• Deferred Compensation Plan matching up to 2.5%
• Employee Discounts

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in engineering (Construction, Environmental, Civil) or related field; and
• Three (3) years of experience as a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in engineering design and construction contract management; and
• Three (3) years of experience in project management and facilitation of public engagement initiatives.
• Possession of Professional Engineer License valid in the state of Iowa and if not issued by the State of Iowa, ability to obtain within six months of appointment.

• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen;
• Possession of a valid Iowa driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility;

• Certify plans as a licensed Professional Engineer (PE);
• Develops concepts, designs, plans and budgets for various civic projects undertaken by the City of Des Moines;
• Acts as resident engineer for a wide variety of major public works projects, including bridges, pavements, sewers, drainage systems, and a wide range of municipal infrastructure projects;
• Acts as lead engineer and project manager for design and contract administration for a wide variety of complex public works projects;
• Supervises and directs the work of Civil Engineer I and Engineering Technicians;
• Updates and provides current requirements to Department employees that are mandated with the use of state and federal road funds;
• Coordinates and tracks submittal between the engineering department and governmental agencies;
• Coordinates activities with the computer technician to develop computer standards, procedures, and standard forms that can be used by other engineering employees;
• Researches proposed projects and prepares preliminary plans and cost estimates so budgets can be established;
• Resolves construction conflicts and technical issues;
• Reviews procedures to assure state, federal and local requirements are met;
• Analyzes reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, tests and other information to plan and design projects;
• Calculates costs and determines project feasibility based upon analysis;
• Prepares plans, estimates and specifications to develop modifications and enhancements to existing streets and highways;
• Prepares property descriptions and right-of-way maps to implement state federal, state and local design requirements;
• Provides engineering and technical direction for the planning and design of a wide variety of public improvement projects such as paving and sewers;
• Prepares site plans, working drawings, specifications and cost estimates for land development;
• Reviews consultant plans, specifications and estimates, departmental design plans, road, drainage and sewer plans for private developers and public improvement projects;
• Coordinates with contractors, consulting engineers, surveyors, inspectors, utility representatives and other officials to gather and disseminate information and maintain records necessary to satisfy public improvement requirements;
• Assembles information from contractors, surveyors, other engineers, technical bulletins and other sources to create plans and special provisions for public improvements;
• Administers public works contracts, including scheduling and holding pre-construction conferences, coordinating relocation of utilities, and furnishing data;
• Generates correspondence and maintains files of public improvements from capital improvements cost estimates through contract final-out and as-built drawings;
• Maintains private construction contract files and coordinates with the land developer and his engineer, contractor, and the City's inspectors;
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate personnel to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification;
• Coordinate relocation of utilities in conflict with construction projects;
• Periodically assists in the development of requests for proposals and the selection of outside consultants for contracted design work.