SKILLBRIDGE- Assistant Engineer

Position Summary

What is Skillbridge? The purpose for the DoW SkillBridge program is an opportunity for service members to gain valuable civilian work through specific industry training, apprenticeships, or internships during the last 180 days of service. DoW SkillBridge connects transitioning service members with industry partners in real-world job experiences. DoW Skillbridge provides an invaluable chance to work and learn in civilian careers areas. Service members participating in DoW SkillBridge programs continue receiving their military compensation and benefits, while the City of La Mesa provides the civilian training and work experience. Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. To perform professional level engineering duties in support of the City's engineering services and activities including design and construction projects for City streets, storm drains, sewer lines, traffic and related capital improvement programs; to prepare construction plans and specifications for capital improvement projects; to perform field survey and construction inspection duties; to serve as project manager on assigned projects; and to ensure work quality and adherence to professional engineering standards. This is the entry level class within the professional Engineer series. This class is distinguished from the Associate Engineer by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits a structured and established pattern. Generally, changes in procedures or exceptions are explained in detail as they arise. Typically, employees at this level would have completed a college degree in the civil engineering field but would have limited work experience.

Key Responsibilities

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Perform professional level engineering duties in support of the City's public works engineering services and activities including design and construction programs for City streets, storm drains, sewer lines, traffic and related capital improvement programs.
• Prepare designs and specifications for assigned projects; develop engineering drawings, construction plans, specifications, contract documents, bid documents, calculations, and cost estimates for proposed projects; research project design requirements; prepare estimates of time and material costs.
• Maintain accurate records of projects, budgets or field observations required for the delivery of civil engineering services for the City.
• Investigate field conditions related to public improvements, public utilities, and traffic safety operations; investigate field problems affecting property owners, contractors, and maintenance operations; work with public or private contractors on public improvements; prepare accurate reports, diagrams and recommendations related to the responsibilities of the Engineering Division.
• Prepare construction contract estimates and feasibility reports for services or public improvement projects.
• Participate in the plan check, review, and processing of plans for private developments affecting City streets, sewers, drains, and related public works facilities; ensure that they meet all City imposed requirements.
• Perform survey, mapping, and data collection; evaluate data and prepare recommendations.
• Perform in-depth review of grading and improvement plans, parcel and subdivision maps, and all other miscellaneous maps to ensure compliance with regional standards and Map Act; reviews legal descriptions and exhibits for lien, easement, and vacation documents to ensure accuracy.
• Prepare special engineering studies and reports.
• Prepare various applications for State and Federal grants; research publications and industry information sources.
• Assist in the operation, maintenance, and installation of traffic signs, signals, street lights, and pavement markings for City thoroughfares; administer the maintenance of assigned contracts; respond to maintenance requests from the public and City staff; ensure that invoices from contractors are in compliance with existing contract; establish policies and procedures for reporting maintenance for street lights and traffic signals and for updating pavement conditions.
• Review development plans and make recommendations regarding compliance of traffic control plans with regional standards and practices; monitor traffic patterns and analyze traffic accident reports; make recommendations regarding required public improvements and their compliance with regional standards and practices.
• Provide assistance to contractors, engineers, and the general public on engineering policies and procedures; review submitted plans, drawings and specifications for compliance with engineering and City codes and standards.
• Participate in the preparation of requests for proposals and bids; review contract bids and proposals; participate in the selection of contracted services.
• As assigned, serve as project engineer for engineering design and construction projects; administer project from inception to completion including design, review, public meetings, bidding and construction; develop scope of work; serve as liaison to City staff, developers, engineers, consultants, the general public and external agencies on proposed development projects; develop project timelines and set priorities; assign work tasks and oversee the services of consultant staff.
• Review engineering design and construction plans, drawings, specifications, contract documents, cost estimates, engineering calculations and related documents prepared by consulting engineers and contractors for compliance with professional and City standards and practices; coordinate reviews with other departments and agencies.
• Administer contracts for assigned engineering projects; conduct site inspections during and at completion of project; monitor construction progress and changes to scope of work; discuss and recommend change orders; review and process requests for contract and final payments; prepare project close-out documents.
• Serve as staff to a variety of City commissions, boards, and committees related to public works engineering matters.
• Coordinate public works activities with other City departments, divisions and outside agencies.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of civil engineering design and construction management.
• Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field.

Experience:

Two years of para-professional engineering experience or internship with a public agency or civil engineering firm is desirable. Must be a current Active Duty Service Member approved to participate in the Skillbridge Program. The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal engineering design and construction program.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering, public works and traffic engineering.
• Methods and techniques of conducting site and field investigation.
• Operation of traffic signal control equipment.
• Materials, tools, and equipment used in civil engineering projects.
• Mathematics including geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information related to innovations and trends in civil and traffic engineering design and development.
• Principles and practices of project budget preparation and control.
• Principles and practices of project management.
• Principles and practices of contract administration.
• Principles and practices of business correspondence and technical report preparation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet applications and specialized engineering software programs.
• Occupational health and safety standards.
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local codes, laws, and regulations.

Ability to:

• Perform professional level engineering duties involved in the design, development and construction management of a variety of capital improvement projects.
• Collect, assimilate, and evaluate data and prepare recommendations related to civil engineering projects.
• Read, interpret, and prepare engineering plans.
• Perform construction inspection duties.
• Conduct analytical traffic studies accurately and reliably.
• Use and care for engineering, surveying, and drafting instruments and equipment.
• Serve as project engineer on assigned design and construction projects.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and technical reports.
• Coordinate activities with internal and external agencies and committees.
• Administer change orders and contract laws.
• Prepare, review, interpret and analyze engineering plans, drawings, specifications, contract documents, and engineering reports for conformance to professional standards and approved budgets.
• Oversee the work of professional consultants and contractors.
• Perform accurate and complex mathematical calculations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Demands and Working EnvironmentThe conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Environment: Standard office setting with some travel to conduct site investigations; occasional exposure to outside weather conditions; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings. Physical: Incumbents require sufficient mobility to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; operate office equipment including use of a computer keyboard; push, pull, lift, and/or carry light to moderate weights; ability to communicate verbally to exchange information; ability to operate a vehicle to travel to various locations and meetings. Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate assigned equipment. Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.