Assistant City Engineer

City of Columbia•Columbia, SC

About The Position

This position administers the operations of an Engineering Division and plans and directs the design, development, implementation, renovation, and installation of City projects. The incumbent plans, organizes, and implements programs within major organizational policies and reports progress to executive-level administration through reports and conferences. The position also performs related professional, administrative, and supervisory work as required. The Assistant City Engineer directs project planning, design, and management; develops and manages budgets and cost-tracking for projects; reviews plans and specifications; prepares procurement requests; administers contracts; and assists with payment verification and construction inspection. The role coordinates projects with government agencies, City and county departments, contractors, developers, engineers, surveyors, architects, attorneys, environmental groups, and other parties. The position supervises support staff and oversees work assignments, performance, training, personnel matters, and departmental policies and procedures. It also represents the department and City at community meetings, receives and responds to public inquiries and complaints, and provides assistance to the City Engineer and Senior Assistant City Manager as needed. Work is described as light in nature, involving frequent walking or standing and recurring exertion of up to 20 pounds of force, or repetitive use of fingers, hands, or limbs with office or shop machines and tools. The work environment may involve exposure to varied lighting, dust and pollen, extreme temperatures, wet or humid conditions, noise, vibration, fumes or odors, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, toxic or caustic chemicals, and explosives. Decisions may have major community or organizational consequences.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, or a closely related field.
Eight years of relevant prior experience.
Valid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License.
Professional Engineer certification in South Carolina.
Knowledge of algebra, analytic geometry, differentiation and integration of algebraic functions, and statistics, including frequency distribution, reliability, validity, and correlation techniques.
Knowledge of finance and economics using financial and econometric models.
Knowledge of personal computer equipment and proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, word processing, spreadsheet, and database software.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing, with excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
Ability to synthesize and integrate data or information, develop interpretations, and revise policies, procedures, or methods based on new findings.
Ability to negotiate and exchange ideas and information to formulate policies and programs or reach joint decisions and solutions.
Ability to establish policies for acquiring, installing, testing, operating, maintaining, and repairing complex machinery, equipment, or systems, and to establish specifications, budgets, and resource allocations for major construction and equipment projects.
Ability to apply logical or scientific principles to diagnose and define problems, collect data, and solve abstract problems with broad organizational impact.
Ability to read professional literature and technical manuals, speak to groups, and write manuals and complex reports.
Ability to perform advanced professional-level work in analysis, coordination, or interpretation of professional, engineering, fiscal, managerial, or scientific work, and to formulate important recommendations or technical decisions with organization-wide impact.
Ability to sustain intense concentration for accurate results and work under sustained, unusual pressure.
Ability to make decisions affecting much of the organization and the general public, and to establish goals, objectives, and policies in a dynamic environment.
Ability to perform the listed physical functions: climbing, fingering, grasping, hearing, mental acuity, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Nice To Haves

Skill in the use of presentation software programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, and direct Engineering Division activities and operations in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and safety standards.
Develop and manage portions of the capital improvement program budget, maintain project cost-tracking methods, and prepare related reports.
Provide special assistance to the City Engineer and Senior Assistant City Manager as needed.
Communicate and interact with City officials, department staff, boards and commissions, attorneys, community organizations, professional peers, media, government agencies, outside professionals, and the public.
Supervise support staff, including assigning, reviewing, and planning work; maintaining standards; coordinating activities; selecting employees; addressing employee problems; allocating personnel; and participating in discipline, discharge, promotion, transfer, and salary recommendations.
Review subordinate work for completeness and accuracy, provide advice and assistance, and support staff training and development.
Develop and implement departmental policies and procedures.
Develop and administer assigned budgets, monitor expenditures, prepare reports, and ensure efficient use of funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time.
Approve departmental requisitions and provide direct assistance on matters within the position’s responsibilities and on special projects.
Direct and provide expertise in planning, design, and project management for construction, renovation, and installation of City projects.
Develop project budgets and monitor expenditures to keep projects within proposed budgets.
Develop or review plans and specifications for compliance with codes, ordinances, and standards.
Develop requests for proposals and bids and administer contracts.
Assist with verifying contractor pay applications and invoices and inspecting construction work for compliance with policies, procedures, regulations, codes, contracts, quality, and safety standards.
Coordinate projects with local, state, and federal agencies; City and county departments; contractors; developers; engineers; land surveyors; architects; attorneys; environmental agencies and interest groups; and other parties.
Represent the department and City at civic and community meetings, and serve on committees, boards, and task forces as appropriate.
Receive and respond to inquiries, concerns, complaints, and requests for assistance within areas of responsibility.
Conduct and attend meetings; prepare reports and correspondence; and review mail and literature.
Attend professional conferences, meetings, training, and seminars to maintain and enhance job knowledge and skills.
Perform other related duties as assigned.