Engineering Technician

City of La Palma•La Palma, CA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The City of La Palma is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented professional to join our team as an Engineering Technician. This position offers an opportunity to work on a variety of public works and infrastructure projects that directly serve the La Palma community. The Engineering Technician performs a broad range of paraprofessional engineering duties and assists with the planning, design, construction, and administration of City infrastructure projects, including streets, water, storm drain, sewer, traffic systems, and public areas. The ideal candidate is organized, resourceful, and able to manage multiple assignments while exercising sound judgment and initiative. The City is looking for someone with knowledge of engineering principles and practices as applied to public works and the ability to review project designs, interpret plans and specifications, conduct inspections, prepare clear reports and records, and effectively communicate with coworkers, consultants, contractors, public agencies, and the community.

Requirements

Knowledge of engineering principles and practices as applied to public works; related federal and state laws, ordinances, and regulations; methods and techniques utilized in the preparation of public works projects, designs, and related plans, specifications, and cost estimates; the principles, methods, and equipment utilized in surveying and materials testing.
Ability to perform para-professional engineering work, including project design review, conduct inspections and evaluate construction relative to approved plans and specifications; coordinate the work of others involved in related activities; prepare and maintain records and prepare reports; interpret and apply related laws, ordinances, and regulations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with management, co-workers, the public and others contacted in the course of the work; work effectively with other governmental agencies in the processing of cooperatively funded projects.
Two years of college level courses in civil engineering or a related field or three years of related civil engineering experience.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, engineering, urban planning, or a related field is desired.

Responsibilities

Plans and coordinates activities of designated projects from initiation to completion to ensure that timelines, goals, and objectives specified for projects are accomplished in accordance with prescribed priorities, time limitations, and funding conditions.
Prepares Requests for Proposal and bid packages to solicit bids from consultants, contractors, and vendors, including scope of services.
Analyzes and evaluates bids and recommends consultants for selection.
Prepares staff reports related to assigned projects.
Manages funding for all assigned projects and solicits funding from federal, state, and county governments for new projects.
Reviews a variety of maps, drawings, tracings, notes, and engineering computations and checks for accuracy and format; may review for conformance to established engineering practices, and compliance with state and county laws, ordinances, and regulations.
Provides public counter assistance interpreting and explaining code, permit, and statute requirements, engineering specifications, and other related municipal, state and federal regulations to construction contractors, architects, engineers, builders, public agencies, utility companies, property owners, and the general public; may prepare and issue various Public Works permits; may provide information regarding specific locations within the City such as easements, public right-of-way, property jurisdiction, and utility information.
Assists in the preparation of specifications related to the construction and maintenance of a variety of projects in accordance with City, state, and federal guidelines; assists in the preparation of project cost estimates, quantities calculations, and materials costs.
Provides liaison to contractor representatives in coordinating capital improvement projects; monitors project construction activity; prepares change orders as necessary to recommend alteration of plans and specifications; lays out and calculates quantities and cost estimates for capital improvement projects.
Provides liaison function with other governmental agencies in assisting with the development, planning, design, construction, and administration of cooperatively funded projects and programs.
Makes field check inspections of project sites to become familiar with features and to verify progress; collects, tabulates and analyzes traffic information; may conduct traffic studies that may include observing traffic patterns, taking traffic counts, and turning movements.
Prepares exhibits, drawings, and maps using CAD and other computer applications for reports, presentations, and maintenance work orders.
Assists in processing related notices, reports and public hearing documents; and assists in project administration.
Prepares a variety of technical engineering reports for other governmental agencies and/or programs and including but not limited to: Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO), and Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS).
Performs other duties as assigned.