Engineer Assistant I (Dallas Water Utilities) (Civil Service) Multiple Locations

Job Summary

Applies entry and intermediate-level engineering principles and practices in planning, designing, preparing and testing various construction, traffic, communication, and maintenance projects to develop or maintain the public infrastructure of the City of Dallas.

Responsibilities

• Inspects and monitors construction or maintenance projects to ensure compliance with design specifications and contractual agreements. Coordinates technical support and management for construction‑related activities including street and alley construction, street resurfacing, water/wastewater utility lines, storm drainage systems and erosion control improvements.
• Provides assistance and guidance to inspectors and supervisors, delivering construction management tools and developing project improvement techniques based on feedback.
• Analyzes engineering project problems in assigned inspection areas, recommends solutions, and monitors implementation to ensure compliance with departmental, city, state, and federal regulations. Under supervision, modifies and develops engineering plans for paving, drainage, water, wastewater, erosion control, or other improvements.
• Revises contractor work, verifies quantities and bid items, performs preliminary and final inspections, and ensures accurate, well‑documented monthly construction invoices are processed timely.
• Oversees all aspects of the building process, working with supervisors and project managers to develop plans, manage documentation, establish timetables, handle change orders, and resolve construction issues. Utilizes improved reporting techniques for schedules, cost, earned value, and analytics.
• Monitors and reviews project controls data (schedule and cost) for capital projects, maintains project records for the Public Works department, and coordinates plans and specifications for Right‑of‑Way construction work.
• Participates in updating City of Dallas construction standards and specifications (2019 Updates) and develops a constructability review checklist for design projects.
• Prepares customized reports for program and project managers, detailing construction progress, inspection data, and daily/weekly/monthly operations.
• Under supervision, modifies and develops engineering plans for a broad range of projects including traffic, communications, landfills, transfer stations, plant improvements, and more.
• Assists in developing scopes of work, tasks, milestones, and project budgets; prepares design agenda packages for council resolution.
• Communicates and coordinates with other departments, citizens, consultants, contractors, and government agencies regarding project activities.
• Reviews and provides feedback on consultant design plans, negotiates contracts, develops cost estimates, and supports solutions from initiation to completion, including specifications, addendums, and change orders.
• Visits project sites, ensures managers are updated on status, compiles construction analytics, and prepares documentation of inspections and findings.
• Tracks and monitors invoices, coordinates meetings with consultants and utility companies for invoice review and approval.

Knowledge and Skills

• Project management and communication skills.
• Ability to review and understand design plans, manage time effectively.
• Strong foundation in mathematics and engineering principles.
• Technical writing skills; ability to convey technical information to non‑technical audiences.
• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (required).
• Knowledge of roadway and alley design, storm drainage, water distribution, sanitary collection, and project management during design and construction phases.
• Proficient verbal and written communication, interpersonal cooperation, active listening, and positive challenge handling.
• Filing and sorting of project documentation; hand calculations; typing of letters, memos, emails.
• Driving to visit job sites.
• Data analysis and research for project and service requests.
• Evaluating performance of engineering consultants and construction contractors.
• Directing consultants, contractors, and inspectors to complete capital improvement projects.
• Applying engineering principles and drafting skills to design plans and process development.
• Knowledge of project scheduling techniques and budget forecasting.
• Establishing and maintaining effective rapport with management, officials, vendors, agencies, employees, and the public.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering designs and perform calculations and evaluations.
• Basic knowledge of city, state, and federal regulations affecting engineering design and operations.
• Basic knowledge of construction (capital improvements) and maintenance (e.g., traffic lighting) practices.
• Ability to write technical and non‑technical reports.
• General proficiency with computer software packages.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering from an ABET‑accredited program (Engineering Accreditation Commission or Technology Accreditation Commission), or a degree in mathematical, physical, or engineering science approved by the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, or a degree from a Washington Accord signatory institution.
• Current Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) certificate issued in the United States, or passing of the eight‑hour Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Examination with official results.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record (required for some positions).
• Ability to work in field conditions and inclement weather (may be required).

Pay

Salary range: $60,569.60 – $73,528.00 (starting salary; actual offer depends on qualifications).