Senior Civil Engineer

City of Northampton•Northampton, MA

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is responsible for assisting the City Engineer in planning, directing, and managing the services of the Department’s Engineering Division, including prioritizing projects and managing personnel in an efficient and productive manner. The work requires examining, analyzing and evaluating facts and circumstances surrounding individual problems, situations or transactions, and determining actions to be taken within the limits of standard or accepted practices. Guidelines include a large body of policies, practices and precedents which may be complex or conflicting, at times. Judgment is used in analyzing specific situations to determine appropriate actions. The employee is expected to weigh efficiency and relative priorities in conjunction with procedural concerns in decision making. Requires understanding, interpreting and applying federal, state and local regulations. The work consists of employing many different concepts, theories, principles, techniques and practices relating to an administrative field. Assignments typically concern such matters as studying trends in the field for application to the work; assessing services and recommending improvements. Relationships are with co-workers, the public, groups and/or individuals such as peers from other organizations, regulatory authorities, vendors, contractors and representatives of professional organizations. May be required to discuss controversial matters where tact is required to avoid friction and obtain cooperation. Employee has some access to sensitive or confidential information, such as personnel records, court documents.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, with an emphasis on civil, sanitary, environmental and/or mechanical engineering
Three to five years of engineering experience of which two are in a supervisory or project management capacity
Registered Professional Engineer license from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts required
Valid Driver’s License required
Knowledge of AutoCAD, GIS and Microsoft Office Suite
Knowledge of using computers in the design of civil engineering projects
Knowledge of the theory and application of the principles and practices of civil engineering and surveying
Knowledge of local, state and federal laws and regulations governing municipal infrastructure
Ability to apply sound engineering judgement and design methods to project work
Ability to understand, explain and apply rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards and guidelines governing public infrastructure
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with employees, consultants, regulatory authorities, City officials and the general public
Ability to operate survey equipment
Ability to keep detailed notes and records
Interpersonal skills
Skilled in using AutoCAD and/or other computer design programs
Skilled in using surveying tools and other types of relevant tools and equipment
May be required to lift objects such as files, boxes of papers, office supplies, and office equipment weighing up to 30 pounds.
When in the field, work requires physical strength and effort, such as the ability to traverse moderate distances over and through uneven terrain or construction sites.
The work may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination, including the ability to operate survey equipment.
Essential position functions require the ability to routinely read materials for general understanding and analytical purposes and the ability to view documents and spreadsheets on a computer monitor.
In addition, essential position functions require the ability to operate a motor vehicle and require good close, distant, color and peripheral vision and depth perception at correctable ranges.

Nice To Haves

Master’s desirable
Equivalent combination of education and experience

Responsibilities

Manages, oversees and reviews the projects and work schedules of the Engineering Division; checks work of subordinate engineers for accuracy and completeness.
Assists the City Engineer with planning and development of City infrastructure projects.
Develops and designs projects associated with improving the City’s infrastructure and utilities including roadways, bridges, sidewalks and traffic signals and water, sanitary sewer, drainage and flood control systems; develops plans and profiles using current civil engineering design principles; performs hydrology and hydraulics modeling; performs necessary calculations for engineering design; performs field surveys.
Develops and reviews written contracts, technical specifications and estimates for City projects; manages project procurement, construction administration and records involved in project design, procurement and construction.
Drafts and reviews requests for proposals and requests for quotes.
Manages, reviews and supports City projects completed by consultants and MassDOT, including reviewing feasibility studies, reports, design plans, bid documents and permit applications.
Inspects active construction sites to ensure compliance with technical specifications and permit requirements; coordinates contractor schedules and public communications; responds to project questions and concerns from residents.
Coordinates, investigates and responds to requests for engineering support from other DPW divisions; coordinates, investigates, responds to and completes regulatory reporting on sanitary sewer incidents.
Prepares and reviews Federal, State and Local permit applications for construction or maintenance activities, including coordinating and communicating with regulators and attending site visits and hearings as necessary.
Coordinates and responds to questions and requests from residents, businesses, contractors or consulting engineers regarding information related to City utilities or infrastructure; reviews plans and technical specifications submitted by developers for conformance with City or other standards and regulations.
Maintains Engineering Division payroll and attendance records.
Understands and enforces all safety regulations.
Acts on behalf of City Engineer in his/her absence.
Performs similar or related work as required.
Employee plans, schedules and coordinates work operations to meet schedules, deadlines and priorities; revises work schedules to meet changes in workload or availability of manpower; assigns work based on varying capabilities of employees; assures that completed work meets the required standard of quality, timeliness and cost, taking corrective actions as necessary, including rejecting the work; oversees attendance and leave.