Assistant Town Engineer

Position Summary/Purpose

The Town of Branford is seeking a detail-oriented and collaborative individual to provide professional engineering work related to the design and construction of infrastructure projects, asset management, and capital improvement planning in the Engineering Department. This position will collaborate with municipal, state, and federal representatives, and effectively communicate with residents and members of the local business community.

Essential Job Functions

• Applies standard civil engineering practices and procedures to a variety of public infrastructure conceptual plans, preliminary and final design, construction oversight, and land surveying projects.

• Provides consultation to Town Departments, Boards, Commissions, and Authorities.

• Serve as project manager for department initiatives, as assigned, to ensure a successful project by managing project design, budgets, grant administration, and construction oversight.

• Develops and presents to various boards, Department funding requests, budget reports, capital project presentations, and Public Information Meetings for assigned projects.

• Prepares plans and specifications for Town projects, including road and sidewalk reconstruction, drainage, flood control improvements, and other public infrastructure.

• Drafts specifications and special provisions and coordinates public advertising for bids; reviews construction bids and makes necessary recommendations based on lowest and/or qualified bid, competency of vendors and consultants, and any other selection criteria.

• Prepares budget and engineer’s estimates for Town projects.

• Prepares grant applications, requests for proposals, and requests for qualifications; coordinates with Town/State/Federal agencies to follow the required procurement procedures.

• Maintains infrastructure asset management software and databases. Assists various departments in prioritizing projects and preparing reports utilizing asset databases.

• Affords assistance to the Public Works Department in ensuring compliance with State and Federal statutes.

• Reviews plans, drainage calculations, traffic studies, geotechnical reports, and other technical data submitted by developers of subdivisions and other private development projects for conformance with town standards and good engineering practices.

• Provides technical advice and draft reports to various Town Commissions and Authorities.

• Affords assistance to the Capital Project Manager, as assigned, with various capital projects administration.

• Prepares and coordinates local, state, and federal regulatory permits associated with Town projects.

• Represents the Department and makes formal project presentations before Commissions and Authorities.

• Serves as engineering staff to Sewer Authority, as assigned, and oversees consultant engineers, state and federal regulatory compliance, capital projects, advises on sewer use fee, assists with review of procedures for sewer connection approvals, etc.

• Affords assistance with the preparation of annual operating and capital budgets.

• Affords assistance to the Department in marking the location of storm sewers in response to requests made through the Connecticut Call Before You Dig program.

• Attends trainings and conferences; suggests innovative approaches learned through training and conferences.

Other Functions

Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Education, Training and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, or an Associate’s Degree in Civil Engineering plus three (3) years of related experience in municipal or private engineering.

• Engineer-in-Training license valid in the state of Connecticut required.

• Professional Engineering license (PE) valid in the state of Connecticut preferred.

• Must have and maintain a valid CT Driver’s License.

Special requirements

• Must be physically capable of moving about on construction work sites.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

• Knowledge: of civil engineering and construction principles, practices and methods as applicable to a municipal setting; knowledge of applicable Town, State and Federal policies, laws, and regulations affecting department activities.

• Ability: Ability to read and interpret plans, designs, maps, drawings and specifications; ability to inspect and evaluate municipal civil engineering construction projects at all phases of completion; ability to enforce regulations firmly and courteously; ability to write and administer grants; ability to design municipal construction projects; ability to prioritize; ability to conduct research to understand new engineering methods; ability to multitask; ability to prepare and present technical and narrative reports in oral and written form; ability to use computer systems such as AutoCAD, GIS, hydraulic and hydrology software; ability to use surveying equipment.

• Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; aptitude for working with drawings, plans and maps; aptitude for working with and explaining laws and regulations to people; aptitude for working with people and maintaining effective working relationships with various groups; conflict resolution skills; aptitude for working with paperwork and details; skill in using the mentioned equipment.

• Tools and Equipment Used: Personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheet, databases, computer-aided-design (CAD) software, and GIS software; basic surveying tools.

Job Environment

• Administrative work is performed in a moderately noisy office with regular interruptions during the day from the public via telephone or in person.

• Perform regular inspections of construction sites Requires the operation of telephones, personal computers, copiers, facsimile machines, and other standard office equipment.

• Makes frequent and periodic contact with contractors, property owners, businesses, Town staff and Town officials.

• Communication is frequently in person, telephone email and in writing.

• Work requires a high level of professionalism and high level of patience in dealing with and explaining regulations to the public.

• Avoid errors in judgment or omissions that could result in delay of services, monetary loss, and legal ramifications.