Civil Engineer III

Oakland County is more than just a workplace. It is a place where you can make a real difference. As one of Michigan’s leading public service organizations, we are committed to strengthening communities, delivering essential services, and improving the quality of life for nearly 1.3 million residents. When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven workforce guided by integrity, innovation, and a passion for public service.

Pay

$88,732 - $118,883

Schedule

This position is hybrid.

About the role

Are you an experienced engineer looking to lead complex infrastructure projects that directly impact public health and community operations? In this role, you’ll be responsible for managing major engineering projects and critical infrastructure systems related to sewer, water, or drainage operations. You’ll serve as a technical expert and departmental representative, applying advanced engineering principles to plan, coordinate, and deliver projects while ensuring the reliability of essential public systems.

Responsibilities

• Under limited supervision, manage a large engineering project, multiple smaller projects, or oversee operational and maintenance programs for sewer, water, or drainage systems.
• Develop request for proposals (RFPs) to solicit engineering consulting firms for specific design services.
• Evaluate proposals and prepare contract documents for execution.
• Review consultant-prepared design drawings to verify project design criteria are met.
• Review technical specifications for engineering and construction projects.
• Evaluate engineering plans for compliance with regulatory requirements and applicable standards.
• Manage the review and submission of permits, plans, and supporting project documentation.
• Participate in the evaluation of contract bids and contractor proposals.
• Finalize contract documents for execution.
• Review construction inspection reports and project documentation.
• Prepare and recommend contractor payment estimates based on construction progress and inspection data.
• Review contractor claims with the engineer and develop responses.
• Navigate project issues with the project team; develop recommendations for mitigation and issue contract change documents (engineering work orders, work directives, change orders, field orders, etc.) as needed.
• Coordinate with consultants, contractors, engineers, community contacts, residents, and other project stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.
• Represent the department in project meetings to plan, coordinate, and monitor work.
• Make recommendations to the Drainage Board and/or Water Resources Commissioner regarding contract awards, project implementation, and maintenance programs.
• Apply advanced engineering techniques and software to solve complex technical challenges.
• Modify and extend engineering theories to resolve difficult problems with limited assistance.
• Use Countywide and department-specific software to complete engineering and project assignments.
• Serve in an on-call capacity and respond to operational issues, equipment failures, storms, power outages, and other emergencies as required.
• Confer with consulting engineers regarding the preparation of construction plans and specifications for proposed water, sewer, and drain infrastructure including retention treatment basins, wastewater treatment plant additions, sewage lift stations, water booster stations, water storage tanks, community wells, piping, and other appurtenances.
• Use sound engineering principles, including knowledge of water supply and sewage pipe material/equipment, the size needed to accommodate determined amounts of water or sewage, topography, and agronomy.
• Provide estimates of cost schedules to financial consultant for transmittal to bond council.
• Provide findings of population projection studies, existing customer units, and other information for incorporation into State Revolving Fund project plans.
• Negotiate the more difficult or complex easement acquisitions, supplying engineering information to affected property owners and/or county representatives.
• Testify in easement condemnation cases when necessary.
• Prepare applications for state and federal grants including providing information relative to estimated costs, schedule of progress, method of financing, and a statement of status of easement acquisitions.
• Assist higher-level staff in reviewing construction bids and awarding of contracts by ensuring that advertisements and addendums are properly worded, answering inquiries from contractors in writing, tabulating bids, and making recommendations of award to the Drainage Board or Water Resources Commissioner.
• Establish project-related agreements and contracts for contractors and engineering consultants.
• Organize and coordinate the starting of construction by reviewing progress schedules, crews assigned, and equipment needed to ensure that project can be completed within prescribed time limit.
• Conduct pre-job meetings with contractors, utilities, and permit agencies such as the Road Commission for Oakland County and the Michigan Department of Transportation to identify and resolve problems.
• Determine work priorities within an assigned project to ensure that order of work is made according to sound construction principles.
• Supervise, train, assign work, and provide technical guidance to lower-level engineers, and technical and inspection personnel by giving clear instructions regarding work methods and safety procedures.
• Train lower-level engineers in all aspects of effective project management.
• Prepare monthly payment estimates as a recommendation for payment to contractors by receiving reports from inspection personnel regarding amount of work completed in the previous month.
• Review and approve specialty contractor and engineering consulting invoices for project-related work.
• Resolve contractor claims and negotiate change orders when unanticipated factors necessitate a deviation from original plans.
• Supervise the final inspection and approval of facilities as being constructed according to plans and specifications by arranging tests on newly constructed facilities such as air pressure tests on water and sewer mains and infiltration tests on sewers to determine amount of leakage.
• Communicate orally or in writing with public officials, developers, or organized or unorganized property owners regarding proposed or on-going projects.
• Perform technical calculations regarding drainage area, storm run-off, grades, levels, size of drains, sanitary sewers, and water mains, and strength of pipe ensuring compliance with numerous regulatory acts including Act 288 of P.A. 1967, as amended, the Subdivision Control Act, Act 40 of P.A. 1956, as amended, the Michigan Drain Code, Part 91 of Act 451 of P.A. 1994, as amended, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Part 307 of Act 59 of P.A. 1995, Inland Lake Levels, and Part 309 of Act 59 of P.A. 1995, Inland Lake Improvements.
• Utilize current Countywide and/or department-specific software to complete assignments.
• When in the field, be alert to safety hazards.

Why You’ll Love It

• Lead impactful infrastructure projects that protect public health and the environment.
• Work on complex, high-visibility projects with real community impact.
• Apply advanced engineering skills to challenging, real-world problems.
• Collaborate with leadership, boards, and external partners.
• Build a rewarding career in public service with meaningful responsibility and growth.

Requirements

• Be registered as a Professional Engineer by the Michigan State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.
• Have a minimum of six (6) years of full-time engineering or closely related work experience.
• A Master's degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited college or university may be substituted for one (1) year of the experience requirement.
• Applicants possessing transcripts from a college or university outside of the United States will be required to provide documentation of degree equivalency from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://naces.org/members.html).
• Possess a valid United States motor vehicle operator's or chauffeur's license. Out-of-country driver’s license holders will be required to obtain the appropriate valid State of Michigan driver’s license before the hire date.
• Pass the complete examination, including the employment medical, established for this classification.
• Successfully complete the six-month probationary period.
• Must maintain a valid United States motor vehicle operator's or chauffeur's license.
• Must maintain registration as a Professional Engineer by the State of Michigan Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

Essential Job Functions

• Ability to communicate to accurately convey information.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and/or be a passenger.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in both a typical office environment and outdoor field conditions. Participate in activities that require driving or being a passenger in an automobile or bus.

Skills

• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering.
• Considerable knowledge of the provisions of the State Drain Code, Public Works Act, and building codes.
• Considerable knowledge of the methods of survey, design, and construction.
• Considerable knowledge of field and office procedures relating to civil engineering.
• Considerable knowledge of administrative practices related to civil engineering.
• Considerable knowledge of the technical phases of estimates, contracts, specifications, and engineering reports.
• Considerable ability to plan, organize, and supervise civil engineering work.
• Considerable ability to determine compliance of structures with specifications.
• Considerable ability to organize and evaluate information for special reports.
• Considerable ability to make engineering cost estimates.
• Considerable ability to prepare contracts and specifications.
• Considerable knowledge of construction engineering and contract administration.
• Reasonable ability to utilize current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail, and internet software.

Benefits

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that matters. For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, please visit: https://www.oakgov.com/government/human-resources/benefits/new-hire.