Engineering Assistant

City of Bellingham • City of Bellingham, WA

4h • Hybrid

About The Position

Join the City of Bellingham's Public Works Department as our next Engineering Assistant and play a key role in advancing meaningful Public Works projects that support our community’s infrastructure. This position offers a dynamic blend of technical work, collaboration, and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment. Join us in shaping the future of our community by applying online today! The Engineering Assistant performs technical engineering design tasks and engineering computations for Public Works projects. Interprets and translates raw field data into computerized drawings using computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) systems, Geographic Information System (GIS) and engineering design software. Facilitates the processing of permits required for projects. Recommends and maintains design, drafting and data collection standards for engineering projects. Coordinates production of digital base mapping by consultants. Conducts technical research, analyzes data and generates customized reports and graphic presentations. Researches and provides technical assistance to the general public, City staff, contractors and consultants. Assists Project Engineers in preparing preliminary project design plans and supports Real Property, Construction, and Development teams with drafting tasks.

Requirements

• An Associate’s degree in engineering technology or other relevant degree that includes coursework in surveying, civil engineering design, drafting utilizing CADD (preferably AutoCAD), and mapping utilizing GIS (preferably Esri products) required.
• Four years of technical engineering experience involving transportation, water, sanitary sewer, or storm drainage improvement projects required.
• Two years of experience utilizing CADD and GIS graphics, associated civil engineering applications, and digital mapping required.
• Verification of ability to work in the United States by date of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or equivalent is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Performs technical engineering design activities on Public Works projects.
• Uses field survey notes and electronic data, site inspections, GIS and engineering records to convert design concepts into detailed construction plans.
• Interprets and translates raw field data into computerized drawings utilizing the CADD system appropriate to level of responsibility.
• Uses engineering design software to create three-dimensional surface models, profiles and cross-sections.
• Performs preliminary project design tasks such as vertical and horizontal alignment, earthwork and quantity calculations, curb-return elevations, top and toe-of-slope calculations, and connections to existing improvements.
• Finalizes plans according to instructions from Project Engineer.
• Coordinates, facilitates and supports the permit application process for Public Works projects, including internal City permitting processes, as well as the permitting processes for regulatory agencies.
• Assists staff in preparing and tracking the status of permit applications.
• Coordinates production of digital base mapping and project files by consultants for capital improvement projects and other areas as needed.
• Assists in providing direction to, and scope of work for consultants.
• Reviews consultant work products to ensure accuracy, completeness, quality and conformance with standards.
• Recommends and maintains design, drafting and data collection standards for engineering projects.
• Assists defining departmental methods and standards for digital drawings and project files.
• Maintains a CADD library of layering conventions, symbols and line types, lettering styles, and standard sheets.
• Researches and provides technical assistance and information to staff, consulting engineers, general public, and private developers.
• Utilizes GIS, CADD, and a variety of database and spreadsheet applications to analyze data and generate customized reports and graphic presentations.
• Supports Real Property, Construction, and Development teams with drafting simple design drawing, such as, alleyway improvements, maps of legal descriptions for property improvements, or similar drafting tasks.
• Prepares check plots, maps, reports, exhibits or graphic displays as assigned.
• Researches and prepares computer-generated graphics for engineering and City Council presentations, lawsuits, crime and/or accident scene maps, etc.
• Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

Benefits

• 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with increased accrual over time
• 12 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• 8 hours sick leave accrued monthly
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families
• Life insurance and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts and medical insurance opt-out program
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Washington State Retirement plan (DRS) for retirement security
• Optional 457 deferred compensation (Retirement Savings Plan) with employer match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree