County Engineer

Multnomah County•Portland, OR

3d•$122,874 - $196,598•Hybrid

About The Position

The Multnomah County Department of Community Services is seeking an experienced leader to serve as County Engineer and join the Transportation Leadership Team. The County Engineer serves as the county’s Chief Engineer, providing professional engineering oversight for planning, design, review, construction, and operation of the County transportation system, and ensuring compliance with applicable engineering standards and specifications. The position partners with the Director, Deputy Director, and Maintenance Manager on strategic planning, financial planning, and management of the Transportation Division budget. The role oversees technical quality assurance and project delivery across the division, including updates and implementation of the Construction Design Manual and other County engineering guidance. It is responsible for budgeting and staffing the Bridge and Road Engineering programs and directly supervises two mid-level exempt managers. The programs cover engineering and inspection of six Willamette River bridges and more than 20 other bridges, as well as roads and culverts. The County Engineer also provides fiscal oversight, planning, and prioritization for the multiyear Transportation Capital program and develops a rolling five-year forecast of capital funding and projects. The position oversees capital projects and consultant contracts, coordinates with procurement and contract staff, and supports projects through planning, design, and construction. It collaborates with maintenance and operations staff on asset upkeep and emergency response, supports traffic safety initiatives in East Multnomah County, and works with County staff and external partners to deliver transportation projects. The role also develops staffing plans and work plans, and hires, disciplines, evaluates, trains, coaches, and supports succession planning and inclusive practices for managers and staff. This is a full-time, exempt, non-represented position. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some flexibility in start and end times. The position is hybrid, with three days in the office and two days working from home. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Infrastructure, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Public Administration, or a similar field that provides the required experience.
3–6 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 and hold staff accountable while promoting 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 federally funded capital projects, as well as state- or locally funded projects.

Responsibilities

Serve as the County’s 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 County project delivery processes.
Partner with the Transportation Leadership Team to develop and implement strategic plans and short- and long-range financial plans, and manage the Transportation Division budget.
Develop and manage a rolling five-year forecast of capital funding and projects, prioritizing needs in relation to staffing resources and informing the division budget.
Provide technical oversight and quality assurance across the Transportation Division, and update and implement the Construction Design Manual and other County engineering guidance.
Manage budgeting and staffing for the Bridge and Road Engineering programs and directly supervise two mid-level exempt managers.
Provide fiscal oversight, planning, and prioritization for the multiyear Transportation Capital program.
Oversee engineering for capital projects; assign and, when applicable, stamp project plans, specifications, and drawings as a State-certified professional engineer.
Review and provide technical advice to the County Surveyor, including review of certain surveys and plats.
Oversee large and complex consultant contracts for capital project design and construction, coordinating with County procurement and contract staff.
Oversee multimillion-dollar capital projects during planning, design, and construction to ensure schedule, quality, and budget objectives are met.
Coordinate with the Maintenance and Operations Manager and supervisors on asset upkeep, information sharing, and emergency response.
Ensure traffic safety and alignment of East Multnomah County projects 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 create new revenue sources or improve revenue projections.
Develop and evaluate work plans to achieve Engineering program service-level goals.
Estimate staffing requirements and hire, discipline, evaluate, train, coach, and engage in succession planning for managers and staff, fostering inclusiveness and diversity.