Principal Engineer (DOQ)

Encina Wastewater Authority•Encina Water Pollution Control Facility, CA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Director of Engineering, performs a variety of engineering duties in project planning, design, construction, operations, and compliance of wastewater facilities, infrastructure, system and programs; oversees development of engineering designs, including plan, specification, and contract review; provides project management support for assigned projects to support Encina’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP); researches a variety of engineering and/or compliance issues; compiles and analyzes data, and prepares reports; provides technical support to engineering and management staff; customarily and regularly exercises discretion, independent judgment, and decision making; and performs related duties as assigned. This position requires interaction with, and responds to questions and inquiries from, the general public, contractors, engineering professionals and Member Agency staff primarily regarding CIP projects. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and are initially filled by candidates with a Bachelor of Science degree from an ABET accredited institution and in possession of an Engineer-in-Training (FTE) Certificate. The Engineer position would normally be filled by advancement from lower class levels once licensure as a California Professional Engineer (PE) is obtained, experience requirements are met, and the employee demonstrates competence in the performance of engineering duties as deemed appropriate by the Director of Engineering. Associate Engineer is the entry to mid-level of the professional engineering job series. Positions at this level perform increasingly diverse and incrementally complex professional duties in support of Encina’s engineering programs and projects, receive instruction and assistance, and have knowledge of the concepts, practices, procedures, and policies of the assigned function. Engineer is the mid- level of the professional engineering job series. Positions at this level perform diverse and complex professional duties in support of Encina’s engineering programs and projects. This class is distinguished from the Associate Engineer in that the position requires incumbent to apply advanced engineering or related technical principles, theories and concepts to develop advanced solutions to complex opportunities or problems and independently performs the more complex and difficult projects, analyses, and programs requiring registration as a Professional Engineer (Civil, Environmental, Chemical, Mechanical or other approved by General Manager). The Principal Engineer performs highly complex professional engineering and supervisory duties requiring advanced knowledge of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) project design and implementation, asset management and assessment, and reviewing the work of professional engineering staff and consultants; oversees the development and monitors engineering projects involving designs, studies and assessments, ensuring compliance with applicable local, state and federal engineering standards; oversees and participates in the review and analysis of the impact of new and changing regulations; assists in the development and implementation of operational and administrative procedures to ensure efficiency and cost-effective measures; provides technical and professional support to the Board of Directors and its subcommittees; and performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), with major coursework in civil, environmental, chemical, or mechanical engineering or a closely related field.
Associate Engineer: Two years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering work experience that includes planning, construction, and project management experience, including two years working as an engineer in support of a management-level position within the wastewater or water treatment environment.
Engineer: Four years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering work experience that includes planning, construction, and project management experience, including two years working as an engineer in support of a management-level position within the wastewater or water treatment environment.
Principal Engineer: Five years of increasingly responsible professional engineering, including two years of project management experience in the design and construction of wastewater and recycled water systems.
Associate Engineer: Possession of an Engineer-In-Training Certificate is required.
Engineer: Possession of a California Professional Engineers license Civil, Environmental, Chemical, Mechanical, or other as approved by management).
Principal Engineer: Possession of a Professional Engineer (P.E.) license issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Land Surveyors.
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License and the ability to maintain insurability under Encina’s vehicle insurance program.

Nice To Haves

A California Professional Engineers license (Civil, Mechanical, or other as approved by management) is preferred and application for testing and licensure must be started within two years of date of hire.

Responsibilities

Promotes Encina’s Mission, Vision, and Values.
Exhibits all leadership traits and ethical behaviors required of California local government staff.
Acts as Staff Engineer; provides technical leadership, project support, and ensures compliance with Encina engineering standards and regulations for consultant-driven CIP projects; assists with the preparation of detailed drawings and technical specifications and develops the scope of work.
Assists in planning, organizing, and directing Encina’s CIP-related administrative activities; participates in the bid and proposal process for capital improvement projects, facilities equipment, and professional services agreements; participates in the submittal process; reviews consultant proposals and recommends vendors; manages consultant work product; drafts staff reports and supplemental documentation for approval by the Board of Directors.
Performs basic project management functions for various engineering projects and ensures compliance with contract specifications and regulatory permits; monitors the project schedule and budget; provides regular status reports on project progress; facilitates project meetings and produces minutes.
Meets with consultants, other agencies’ representatives and other Encina departments to resolve problems relevant to assigned design development projects; reviews and approves progress payments from engineering consulting firms and contractors.
Provides direction in the preparation of studies and reports on rehabilitation of existing facilities and on future projects.
Prepares engineering calculations; performs computer modeling and analyses, cost estimates and feasibility reports for new or modified engineering projects.
Participates in construction management activities to ensure projects are constructed in accordance with contract documents, permits, and relevant codes; performs site visits and conducts inspections of wastewater treatment facilities and active construction sites.
Coordinates and participates in commissioning activities, acceptance testing, and reliability acceptance testing; actively troubleshoots issues as they arise.
Monitors, reviews and interprets the impacts of new and changing federal, state and local engineering/construction regulations on Encina’s capital and rehabilitation projects.
Performs project and policy analysis, which includes conducting research; identifying and raising pertinent issues; summarizing findings; presenting results; reviewing, writing, and analyzing policies and procedures; administering assigned programs, agreements, and/or projects.
Develops, implements, and monitors tactical plan objectives that support the organization’s Strategic Plan and Mission; assists with the development, updating, and revision of long-range planning studies, feasibility studies, master plans and other technical studies related to capital improvements.
Represents and makes presentations on Encina’s behalf to regulatory agencies, the public, contractors and consultants.
Acts as point of contact on capital improvement issues providing information and assistance to Encina’s Board of Directors and its subcommittees, Executive Management, and other interested parties as appropriate.
May oversee the work of contractors and consultants.
May supervise temporary staff.
Performs administrative tasks for the organization as needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Leads the design development of Encina CIP projects; coordinates the bid and proposal process for capital improvement projects, facilities equipment, and professional services agreements; prepares detailed drawings and technical specifications and develops the scope of work; participates in the submittal process; reviews consultant proposals and recommends vendors; manages consultant work product; writes staff reports and supplemental documentation for approval by the Board of Directors.
Leads and performs complex project management; coordinates engineering and planning activities with other departments and outside agencies; revises design and construction standards to improve methods, procedures and practices; interprets applicable laws, regulations, policies and design standards; revises and approves construction documents.
Inspects field work and works closely with inspectors on assigned projects.
Assists with the administration of CIP contracts and construction projects; reviews and analyzes budget requests, changes in contract scope and resolves disputes concerning plans, specifications, and other work within designated level of authority.
Oversees and reviews, engineering calculations, computer modeling and analyses, cost estimates and feasibility reports and other engineering documents prepared in-house or by consultants.
Drafts short- and long-term planning reports and technical documents; identifies and recommends future facilities/infrastructure projects needed to meet Encina’s service demands, integrating multiple planning documents and agreements.
May assist in training new employees on engineering duties and policies of the department.
May plan and oversee the work of contractors and consultants.
May supervise temporary staff.
Supervises, plans and coordinates work of Engineering Services staff; establishes and advises staff of performance requirements, policies, and procedures; serves on employee interview panels; creates and conducts performance evaluations of assigned staff; provides support, mentoring, and coaching for performance improvement and development.
Provides input on Engineering Services department plans, goals, and objectives; develops recommendations regarding work organization, assignments, work schedules, and staff training needs; interviews and participates in selecting employees and evaluating work performance.
Plans and manages the implementation of assigned portfolio of Encina’s Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) including project management and asset management activities; participates in the preparation and updates of Encina’s Capital Asset Management and the Remote Capital Asset Management plans.
Develops, executes and monitors the design phase of CIP and major maintenance projects; manages consultants to identify critical path events and success factors in reaching a successful resolution; monitors project performance against the project plan, schedule, and budget; prepares and produces correspondence associated with engineering and technical functions, with priorities applied to capital projects.
Administers design portion of CIP contracts and construction projects; provides direct oversight of individual project budgets and the Capital Improvement Program annual budget including monitoring and reporting on project spending, developing cash flow projections for financial analyses and initiating budget transfers in accordance with the Purchasing Policy and Procedures.
Assists in managing Encina’s Engineering Services budget, including budget preparation, staffing, and resource recommendations, approving purchase requests and monitoring expenditures to ensure expenses remain within budget.
Serves as project manager for the development of Encina’s CIP planning and asset management documents; defines scope of work; prepares Requests for Proposals; evaluate bids and proposals, chairs selection panels, participates in contract negotiation and ensures compliance with applicable policies and procedures; monitors and reports on the performance of contractors.
Conducts planning meetings with engineers, consultants, suppliers, other agencies’ representatives and other Encina departments to identify and resolve problems relevant to assigned design development projects; reviews and approves progress payments from consulting firms and contractors.
Participates in planning and feasibility studies associated with wastewater and recycled water treatment; reviews computer modeling, analyses and cost estimates for new and modified engineering projects.
Manages Encina’s Condition Assessment Program and remote facilities’ physical assets for treatment and repair; evaluates assets to determine functional status related to the CIP schedule.
Develops, updates and revises long-range planning studies, feasibility studies, master plans and other technical studies related to capital improvements; prepares, monitors and oversees the maintenance of engineering documents.
Represents and makes presentations on Encina’s behalf to regulatory agencies, the public, contractors and consultants.
Prepares reports and makes presentations to the Board of Directors on staffing changes regarding technical/engineering issues and CIP.