ASSOCIATE/PROJECT ENGINEER-O&M AND CIP

City of Farmington•Farmington, NM

21d•$48,088 - $108,191•Onsite

About The Position

The City of Farmington is hiring an Associate/Project Engineer for its Public Works Water-Wastewater Division, supporting Operations and Maintenance (O&M) and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP). The position level is determined by the selected applicant’s qualifications, with four possible classifications: Project Engineer Technician, Associate Project Engineer I, Associate Project Engineer II, or Project Engineer. The role works under the direction of the Water/Wastewater Operations, Maintenance, & Environmental Administrator or the Water/Wastewater CIP Administrator and supports the planning, operation, maintenance, construction, and improvement of City water and wastewater systems. It provides services to the community in a dynamic environment and balances utility operations with long-term capital work, emergency response, regulatory needs, and changing field conditions. The position provides operational and field support for water and wastewater infrastructure, including mains, valves, hydrants, manholes, lift stations, pump stations, meters, service connections, and related facilities. It investigates system problems, coordinates corrective action, responds to significant after-hours emergencies, and supports construction, rehabilitation, repair, replacement, and capital improvement projects. The employee reviews project work and development plans for compliance with applicable plans, specifications, contracts, City standards, permits, codes, policies, and regulatory requirements; coordinates with contractors, consultants, developers, City departments, and regulatory agencies; and supports utility asset management, GIS, budgeting, documentation, and public communications. The role is regular full-time, based at the West Annex, 805 Municipal Drive. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Significant after-hours emergency response may be required. Pay depends on classification: Project Engineer Technician, $23.1195–$35.9903 per hour; Associate Project Engineer I, $53,347.42–$82,997.82 annually; Associate Project Engineer II, $58,018.48–$90,159.47 annually; or Project Engineer, $69,572.67–$108,191.62 annually. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

Requirements

Project Engineer Technician classification: obtain an associate degree in engineering or a closely related field within two years of hire, or have four years of relevant engineering-related experience.
Associate Project Engineer I classification: bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related field; alternatively, eight years of relevant engineering experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree. An ABET-accredited degree is strongly preferred.
For the O&M Division at the Associate Project Engineer I level, a bachelor's degree combined with a Level II or higher Water or Wastewater Certification may substitute for the baseline requirements.
Associate Project Engineer II classification: Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certificate required. An out-of-state EIT must be converted to a New Mexico EIT within two years of employment.
For the O&M Division at the Associate Project Engineer II level, a bachelor's degree combined with ten years of water or wastewater utility operations experience may substitute for the stated qualification.
Project Engineer classification: licensed Professional Engineer (PE) required. An out-of-state PE must obtain a New Mexico PE license through comity or endorsement within two years of employment.
For the Project Engineer classification, a valid Operator Level 4 certification in both Water and Wastewater may substitute for the PE licensure requirement.
Submit to the City’s drug and alcohol testing policy, including pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing.
Pass extensive background checks.
Communicate effectively in English, orally and in writing, with employees, contractors, government representatives, City officials, and the public.
Maintain positive public relations and respond calmly to public concerns in stressful circumstances.
Balance daily utility operations with long-term capital projects and re-prioritize workflows and engineering resources as emergencies, regulatory demands, or field data change.
Conduct engineering research, compile comprehensive reports, and meet time and cost constraints accurately.
Work with minimal direction after receiving initial instructions.
Perform accurate mathematical calculations.
Hold a valid state driver's license and have an acceptable driving record for the past three years.
Be able to operate the tools and equipment required for the job.
Desired: degree in engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Desired: five years of experience in operations of a medium-to-large public water and wastewater utility.
Desired: working knowledge of municipal civil engineering principles, practices, methods, and applicable City policies and laws.
Desired: extensive knowledge of irrigation, water, and wastewater utility operations and related technical issues.
Desired: considerable knowledge of New Mexico Environment Department and U.S. EPA regulations and permit requirements.
Desired: familiarity with New Mexico land and survey laws.
Desired: working knowledge of personal computers, word processing, spreadsheets, engineering modeling techniques, and drafting software such as Civil-3D.
Desired: proficiency in drafting techniques and ability to interpret working plans and drawings and make field changes to improve projects or correct oversights.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited institution is strongly preferred for Associate Project Engineer I.
A New Mexico EIT certificate is strongly preferred at hire for Associate Project Engineer II.
A New Mexico PE license is strongly preferred at hire for Project Engineer.
Five years of experience in the operations of a medium-to-large public water and wastewater utility.
Working knowledge of municipal civil engineering principles, practices, methods, and applicable City policies and laws.
Extensive knowledge of irrigation, water, and wastewater utility operations and related technical issues.
Considerable knowledge of New Mexico Environment Department and U.S. EPA regulations and permit requirements.
Familiarity with New Mexico land and survey laws.
Working knowledge of personal computers, word processing, spreadsheets, engineering modeling techniques, and drafting software such as Civil-3D.
Proficiency in drafting techniques and ability to interpret working plans and drawings and make field changes to enhance projects or correct oversights.

Responsibilities

Support the planning, operation, maintenance, construction, and improvement of City water and wastewater systems.
Support safe, reliable, and efficient operation and maintenance of water and wastewater infrastructure, and investigate deficiencies, leaks, blockages, sanitary sewer overflows, service interruptions, and other operational issues.
Respond to water and wastewater emergencies, including significant after-hours emergencies, coordinating resources and actions to protect public health and safety, minimize service disruptions, and restore operations.
Provide field support and project oversight for water and wastewater construction, rehabilitation, repair, replacement, and capital improvement projects; review work for compliance with plans, specifications, contracts, schedules, standards, permits, codes, and regulations.
Provide technical input and direction to contractors and inspectors, and coordinate with engineers, consultants, and City staff to resolve field issues and assess construction quality and completed work.
Assist with preparing and reviewing plans, specifications, scopes of work, cost estimates, bid documents, construction documents, and technical requirements; participate in project meetings.
Review construction plans, plats, development plans, planning memorandums, building permits, and utility plans for compliance with City requirements.
Coordinate review and approval of water and sewer services, utility connections, mainline extensions, easements, and related development requirements with relevant City divisions and external parties.
Monitor mainline extension requirements and assist with applicable fees, special assessments, recapture agreements, and related utility development requirements.
Serve as a City liaison with contractors, consultants, developers, vendors, inspectors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders; monitor performance and review invoices, pay applications, reports, schedules, change orders, and additional service authorizations.
Assist with preparing, soliciting, evaluating, and awarding water and wastewater bids and contracts, and coordinate schedules for consultants, contractors, inspectors, and City crews.
Support compliance with applicable laws, regulations, permits, standards, reporting requirements, NPDES requirements, wastewater discharge limits, and environmental requirements; coordinate compliance activities and reporting.
Assist in updating water and wastewater operations and maintenance requirements in City Technical Specifications and Construction Standards.
Support water and wastewater asset management and GIS through field verification, survey requests, utility asset documentation, identification of mapping inaccuracies, and coordination of corrections.
Help evaluate infrastructure condition, capacity, reliability, and performance and identify maintenance, rehabilitation, replacement, expansion, and capital improvement needs.
Assist in identifying, prioritizing, developing, and budgeting capital improvement projects; prepare or assist with scopes, preliminary designs, cost estimates, schedules, and supporting documents.
Create, assign, monitor, and verify completion of water and wastewater work orders and ensure activities are accurately documented.
Prepare and maintain project, operational, maintenance, regulatory, inspection, and other records and reports; review contractor and consultant documentation for accuracy and completeness.
Communicate with Public Works leadership and other City departments about system conditions, project progress, operational issues, emergencies, regulatory matters, contractor performance, and significant public contacts.
Respond to public inquiries, IPRA requests, customer concerns, and requests for information about water and wastewater operations, maintenance, construction, infrastructure, and projects.
Coordinate with Public Works divisions and City departments on utility operations, maintenance, emergency response, development review, and capital improvements.
Maintain effective working relationships with employees, officials, consultants, contractors, developers, regulatory agencies, and the public.
Operate a City vehicle for inspections, emergency response, meetings, field investigations, and department business.
Follow established safety procedures, identify hazardous conditions, and take precautions to protect people, materials, equipment, and infrastructure.
May administer and maintain the water rights portfolio and ensure compliance with New Mexico statutes, regulations, and reporting requirements while protecting water rights assets.
Perform other related duties as assigned; maintain attendance at work as an essential function.
May serve on employee committees as assigned.