County Engineer

Multnomah County•Portland, OR

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Multnomah County Department of Community Services is hiring a County Engineer to serve as the County’s Chief Engineer and a member of the Transportation Leadership Team, alongside the Director, Deputy Director, and Maintenance Manager. The role partners in managing and implementing strategic plans for the Transportation Division, developing short- and long-range financial plans, and managing the division budget. It provides professional engineering oversight for planning, design, review, construction, and operation of the County transportation system, ensuring compliance with applicable standards and specifications. The County Engineer provides technical oversight, quality assurance, and guidance on project delivery across the division. The position develops a rolling five-year forecast of capital funding and projects, based on prioritized needs and staffing resources, and oversees fiscal planning and priorities for the multiyear Transportation Capital program. The role updates and implements the Construction Design Manual and other County engineering guidance, including the Stormwater Manual. The position is responsible for budgeting and staffing the Bridge and Road Engineering programs and directly supervises two mid-level exempt managers. These programs cover engineering and inspection for the Willamette River bridges and other County bridges, roads, and culverts. The County Engineer also oversees capital project engineering and delivery, consultant contracts, and coordination with procurement and contract staff. The position works closely with Maintenance and Operations to support asset upkeep and emergency response, and supports the Division Director in developing common engineering practices for road and bridge programs. This is a full-time, exempt, non-represented position that is not eligible for overtime. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some flexibility in start and end times. The role is hybrid, with three days in the office and two days working from home. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington. Office locations are in Portland, Oregon.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Infrastructure, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Public Administration, or a similar field that provides the required experience.
Three to six years of relevant management experience in engineering, public works, or transportation.
Registration as a Professional Engineer in the relevant discipline in the State of Oregon.
Valid driver license.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Knowledge of leadership tools and resources and ability to select and use appropriate methods to achieve results with direct reports and their staff.
Ability to manage section managers, hold staff accountable, and promote an environment of safety, trust, and belonging.
Ability to facilitate communication and working partnerships across engineering, inspection, operations, and maintenance.
Ability to strategically plan and fund projects and evaluate opportunities to increase transportation-program revenue.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, County employees, vendors, contractors, community partners, elected officials, and the public.
Knowledge of and ability to lead managers and staff through delivery of federally funded capital projects, as well as state- or locally funded projects.

Responsibilities

Partner in managing, developing, and implementing strategic plans for the Transportation Division.
Develop short- and long-range financial plans and manage the Transportation Division budget.
Serve as County Chief Engineer and provide professional engineering oversight for transportation-system planning, design, review, construction, and operation.
Ensure engineering work complies with applicable design standards, specifications, and project delivery processes.
Develop and manage a rolling five-year forecast of capital funding and projects, prioritizing needs in relation to staffing resources.
Provide fiscal oversight, planning, and prioritization for the multiyear Transportation Capital program.
Update and implement the Construction Design Manual and other County engineering guidance, including the Stormwater Manual.
Manage budgeting and staffing for the Bridge and Road Engineering programs and directly supervise two mid-level exempt managers.
Oversee engineering of capital projects; assign and, when applicable, stamp project plans, specifications, and drawings as a State-certified professional engineer.
Review certain surveys and plats and provide technical advice to the County Surveyor.
Oversee large and complex consultant contracts for capital project design and construction, coordinating with procurement and contract staff.
Oversee capital project delivery during planning, design, and construction to ensure schedule, quality, and budget performance.
Coordinate with the Maintenance and Operations Manager and supervisors on asset upkeep, information sharing, and emergency response.
Ensure traffic safety and align East Multnomah County project design and coordination with the East County Traffic Safety Action Plan.
Support the Division Director in developing common engineering practices for road and bridge programs.
Evaluate opportunities to develop funding sources or improve revenue projections.
Develop and evaluate work plans to achieve Engineering program service-level goals.
Estimate staffing needs based on staff work plans; hire, discipline, evaluate, train, and coach staff; and engage in succession planning and efforts to support inclusion and diversity.