Assistant City Engineer

About the role

The Assistant City Engineer is a supervisory position responsible for the overall administration and management of engineering services related to program and project delivery for the Public Works Engineering Division. This position plays a critical role on the Engineering Leadership Team in supporting the City Engineer in providing leadership and visioning for the Public Works Engineering team — Capital Improvements and Private Development Divisions. Responsibilities include performing high-level engineering and administrative functions in the design and delivery of projects and in the management of programs, policies, and grants for the City's infrastructure-related matters; managing the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funding and recommending project schedules for municipal infrastructure projects; leading, managing and directing the work of assigned employees; and providing internal and external customer service and representing the Public Works Department in relationships with citizens, property owners and other agencies.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funding and recommend project schedules for municipal infrastructure projects
• Provide team leadership and supervise employees in professional and technical classifications through assigning work, evaluating performance, mutually setting goals and objectives, training, and adhering to rules, regulations and contracts as they pertain to the various bargaining units
• Provide internal and external customer service and represent the Public Works Department in relationships with developers, citizens and other agencies
• Perform high-level engineering and administrative functions in the design and delivery of projects and in the management of programs, policies, and grants for the City's infrastructure-related matters
• Manage and/or provide professional oversight to the following functional areas:
  • Federal and state grant applications, projects, and construction for streets and pedestrian and bike facilities
  • Design and construction of public improvements by private developers
  • Permitting and acceptance of private utilities work in the public right-of-way including: electric, gas, telecommunications, television, and fiber networks
  • Maintenance of all public right-of-way files, maps, and plans
• Provide detailed technical support, research analysis, cost estimates, engineering reports and professional recommendations regarding municipal engineering infrastructure issues
• Develop budgets, prioritization and schedules for infrastructure CIP projects, and assist with the annual development of the CIP in accordance with Federal and State guidelines
• Manage Capital Improvement Program project plan and specification review and approval processes for infrastructure projects
• Review and approve funding requests for Federal and State funds allocated to CIP projects
• Work closely with the design and construction teams to ensure the design and construction delivery of infrastructure projects in the City's Capital Improvement Program and City-Owner Program is in accordance with all applicable Federal, State and Local requirements
• Administer the City's Municipal State Aid Street (MSAS) funding system
• Oversee employees performing the delivery of public improvement projects, programs and policies for which the Public Works Engineering team is responsible, as assigned
• Foster a collaborative leadership style that encourages teamwork, promotes staff initiative, and provides professional growth opportunities for all departmental employees
• Develop and implement effective employee coaching and performance management strategies to ensure the achievement of organizational priorities and to create an environment that encourages innovation, teamwork, employee engagement, fiscal responsibility, and high-quality work
• Create expectations and outcomes for employees to work collaboratively with other City department staff, public agencies, customers, and the community
• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and orientation processes for new employees and ensure strategies are implemented to obtain and maintain a diverse workforce
• Partner with Human Resources professionals to resolve employment/labor relations issues and participate in collective bargaining agreement negotiations when requested
• Encourage and inspire employees to do their best work while demonstrating positive leadership, positive communication, and a commitment to the City's Foundational Principles
• Develop, manage & oversee professional municipal engineering consultant teams while overseeing work progress and product
• Respond to inquiries, complaints and requests for information regarding municipal infrastructure issues
• Assist and coordinate with city staff offices and agencies on contracts, claims, and other municipal engineering infrastructure related matters
• Represent the City regarding municipal engineering infrastructure issues and act as an Engineering Division liaison with other governmental agencies including county, state and federal agencies
• Make presentations of complex nature, including detailed technical support, research, analysis, cost estimates, engineering reports, and professional recommendations to City Council, Commissions, neighborhood groups, and professional organizations
• Provide information on important projects to department managerial and technical employees
• Confer with owners of property on requests for information on private property improvements and/or city infrastructure improvements
• Represent the Public Works Department at public board, commission, and committee meetings
• Assist the land development team with the review and approval of all site plans, development plans, and infrastructure construction plans

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited four-year college or university
• Seven years increasingly responsible professional engineering experience working in municipal engineering and management
• Two years of supervisory experience

Licenses and Certifications

• Registered Professional Engineer with the State of Minnesota Board of Licensing, or capable of completing the registration requirements within six (6) months from date of hire
• Valid Minnesota driver's license or valid driving privileges within the State of Minnesota

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Administration, Management, Engineering, or related field
• Experience in public relations, project management, and budgeting
• Experience with utility modeling and analysis software/tools
• Proficiency in spreadsheet and database applications and familiarity with GIS software

Skills

Knowledge of:

• Engineering principles and practices
• "10 States Standards" for municipal utilities
• Engineering project management
• Budgeting and project scheduling
• Principles and application of work zone safety
• Effective supervision techniques

Skill in:

• Oral and written communication (including public speaking)
• Developing strong working relationships
• Effectively teaching, leading, and directing the work of others
• Organizing projects and schedules
• Presenting complex material in an understandable manner
• Interpreting rules and regulations
• Word processing and spreadsheet software
• Basic understanding of database and GIS software

Ability to:

• Think analytically and solve complex problems
• Interact with the Department's leadership team
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Prepare budgets and contract documents
• Effectively manage workloads and commitments of self and employees
• Motivate and supervise others
• Provide oral and written reports

Physical and environmental criteria

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

Office work: Sedentary Work — exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Field work: Light Work — exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Physical demands

• Frequent (1/3 to 2/3 of the time): standing, sitting, walking, and continuous/repetitive movements of the arms, hands, and fingers