Principal Civil Engineer

Definition

The Principal Civil Engineer is the advanced journey level professional class responsible for administering and overseeing a variety of functions in the Engineering Division and providing technical guidance to staff engineers and support staff.

Duties

• Leads, oversees, reviews, and performs work activities and duties assigned to the engineering staff;
• Performs a variety of difficult engineering and design activities such as street and storm drain improvements, preparation of plans, specifications, cost estimates, grading plans, and traffic signal design and timing;
• Plans, coordinates, prioritizes, supervises, and participates in the work of assigned engineering staff;
• Discusses job progress with staff; provides motivation and training for assigned personnel; monitors work activities to ensure safe work practices, work quality and accuracy;
• Resolves conflicts or problems between staff and developers and/or contractors;
• Makes presentations to Planning Commission and City Council;
• Serves as the City's representative on Transportation Technical Advisory Sub-committee at CVAG and the Technical Advisory Committee at RCTC;
• Leads or participates in discussions regarding engineering projects;
• Prepares and monitors project schedules and project budgets;
• Manages the acquisition of grants and other external funding to supplement the City's Capital Improvement budget;
• Writes grants and presents grant proposals to review committees;
• Assists in the preparation of the annual budget for the Engineering Division;
• Reviews and makes recommendations on technical reports and studies;
• Performs studies requiring analysis of issues;
• Prepares reports or correspondence, including staff reports, status reports, and other Federal, State and/or local jurisdictional reports and forms;
• Collaborates with other City departments and outside consultants for a variety of project design work and related private development activities;
• Reviews traffic and environmental reports, tentative maps, subdivision maps, site improvements and grading plans;
• Manages construction projects, including advertising the work, preparing contracts and specifications;
• Prepares and processes addendums, reviews and recommends award of bids, and prepare agenda reports for award of construction and design projects and other related public works matters;
• Interprets and enforces construction codes, plans and specifications;
• Determines right-of-way and easement requirements for street construction projects;
• Prepares engineering cost estimates;
• Reviews public works bids and contract documents;
• Coordinates inspections and authorizes progress payments;
• Develops negotiation strategies;
• Participates in contract negotiations and administration;
• Reviews work for conformity with City standards and project requirements;
• Performs plan checks and field engineering and construction staking;
• Determines work procedures;
• Prepares work schedules;
• Signs engineering plans and specifications;
• Reviews and approves Encroachment permits;
• Responds to questions and concerns from the general public;
• Provides information as is appropriate and resolves service complaints;
• Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies, City management and staff, and the public.

Qualifications

• Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering or a related field;
• Experience: Six years of progressively responsible professional experience including experience in directing the work of others involved in engineering project activities;
• Licenses/Certificates: Possession of a valid Class C California driver's license and a certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers.