Engineering Assistant

City of Tulare•Tulare, CA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a self-motivated Engineering Assistant to serve as a vital connection point between technical blueprints and municipal progress. Operating under the general supervision of the Senior Civil Engineer, this position requires an independent professional capable of exercising sound initiative and judgment. The successful candidate will serve as a vital link between professional engineering staff, municipal planning codes, and the public, balancing technical design and plan review with regulatory compliance and community consultation.

Requirements

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by college-level coursework in civil engineering, drafting, surveying, mathematics, or related field.
Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in sub-professional civil engineering or drafting with special emphasis on land surveying, development, design, and construction.
Knowledge of Civil engineering principles, practices, and methods applicable to office and field work involving the design, construction, and maintenance of public works projects.
Knowledge of Basic design and construction practices and methods of streets, underground facilities, and related public works infrastructure.
Knowledge of Engineering plan types, review practices, and permit filing and approval procedures.
Knowledge of Principles and practices of technical civil engineering drafting and surveying support.
Knowledge of Drafting and surveying equipment, computers, principles, problems, techniques, and practices.
Knowledge of Modern developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding engineering.
Knowledge of Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations (e.g., State Subdivision Map Act), including administrative and department policies and procedures.
Knowledge of Technical engineering mathematics including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry and uses of construction materials.
Knowledge of Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
Knowledge of Computer applications related to the work, including computer-aided drafting concepts and applications.
Knowledge of Technical report writing practices and procedures.
Knowledge of Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Knowledge of Safe driving principles and practices.
Knowledge of English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
Knowledge of Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
Knowledge of Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
Ability to Prepare a variety of plans, specifications, maps, graphic materials, cost estimates, and technical engineering reports.
Ability to Modify engineering drawings, topographic maps, improvement plans, and illustrative graphics using Computer-Assisted Drafting (CAD) software.
Ability to Perform responsible technical engineering support work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
Ability to Read and interpret engineering plans, technical drawings, specifications, and subdivision maps.
Ability to Perform basic engineering design under professional engineering supervision.
Ability to Make mathematical calculations and accurate engineering computations and drawings.
Ability to Make and record accurate field engineering observations.
Ability to Use engineering, drafting, and surveying instruments and equipment.
Ability to Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
Ability to Apply technical research methodologies and write technical reports.
Ability to Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Ability to Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
Ability to Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
Ability to Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Ability to Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Nice To Haves

Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California's driver's license.

Responsibilities

Prepare and modify detailed plans, specifications, and contract documents for municipal capital improvement projects, including water, sewer, storm drain, and street reconstruction.
Evaluate commercial, industrial, and residential building permits, grading plans, and site plans to ensure strict conformance with municipal codes, public works standards, and the State Subdivision Map Act.
Update and maintain digitized map layers, atlas files, and databases regarding right-of-ways and utility infrastructure; establish and secure precise engineering records.
Act as the primary technical point of contact for developers, contractors, architects, and residents; process encroachment, building, and overload permits, and calculate Development Impact Fees.
Conduct on-site inspections, coordinate tentative subdivision parcel maps, and perform field surveys to collect topographical and design review data.
Prepares or assists in the preparation of and/or interprets specifications, plans, estimates, and reports pertaining to the construction, maintenance, and operation of a variety of engineering, land development, utility, and other capital improvement projects, including conducting a variety of surveys for creation of sidewalks, utility lines, and topography maps, collecting all pertinent information to create useful maps, issuing permits and work orders required for construction activities to public clients, and evaluating building plans for conformance with public works standards.
Drafts plans, specifications, and other contract documents (i.e. special provisions, timelines, etc.) for a variety of engineering projects such as sewer, water, and storm drain pipelines and ponds, and street and alley reconstruction; calculate the quantity and cost of materials used for various projects.
Reviews bond requirements, responds to inquires from bonding companies, tracks status of bonds, releases bonds by filling out a Notice of Completion and files Notice to Proceed, and assists in processing progress payments.
Reviews engineering construction plans and calculations for conformance with City standards and specifications.
Reviews single and multi-family, commercial and industrial building permits for conformance with City codes, standards, and specifications.
Reviews grading plans and site plan, conducts field review, and lists improvement requirements and additional right-of-way; reviews conditions with other City departments, property owners, developers, engineers, architects, and other government agencies.
Conducts field inspections of sites and prepares engineering considerations for design review, conditional use permit, parcel maps, and tentative subdivisions.
Calculates Development Impact Fees for new development, and estimates on proposed development; reports collected fees and account numbers to the Finance Department.
Checks parcel and subdivision maps for conformance with the Subdivision Map Act and local ordinances; checks closures, calculates fees and bond amounts, and prepares agreements.
Maintains files and records regarding assigned duties including all sites and plans reviewed and permits issued on sites; provides accurate information to other departments and programs as required.
Performs special engineering studies and reports, performs special assignments on engineering problems as necessary, and prepares specific studies for other City staff.
Provides support to developers, builders, contractors, and the general public pertaining to City engineering requirements and fees; processes a variety of permits including building, encroachment, and overload permits.
May participate in a variety of field and survey work; records and documents information; files reports as appropriate.
Maintains computerized records of payments, refunds and credits paid to developers; prepares account balances and reports of account balances; examines and corrects accounting transactions to ensure accuracy.
Prepares various reports on operations and activities; compiles data for special projects, rate analysis, and other reports including engineering service fees, annual cost analysis report, and annual road and street mileage report.
Assists in the preparation of refund agreements for oversize and benefit districts.
Establishes and maintains complete files and records related to assigned functions; participates in the maintenance of various computer files and records; inputs and retrieves a variety of fiscal information using a computer terminal.
Assists in the preparation of legal descriptions and draws corresponding exhibits.
Draws and updates maps to show tract additions, divisions, existing and proposed improvements, and adjoining lots; draws, updates, and maintains maps and map books; maintains digitized map and atlas files.
Prepares graphics, plans, maps and specifications for displays, signs, and poster exhibits; drafts and colors a variety of charts, tables, graphs, and other graphical devices.
Establishes and maintains complete and accurate databases, records and files; maintains elements of the database including City right–of-way, water, sewer, and storm drain layers.
Receives and responds to information requests from the public, consultants, engineering firms, developers, title companies, public works inspectors and staff; retrieves plans, reports, permits, and files as necessary to comply with requests; responds to complaints from the public and resolves conflicts between owners, contractors, developers, utility companies, and others.
Performs related duties as assigned.