Assistant Engineer

JOB BULLETIN

Applications will be accepted on a CONTINUOUS BASIS with a first review date of August 5, 2024, until position is filled. This position may close at any time without notice. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit application materials as soon as possible. Apply early!

The City of Buena Park is seeking a highly motivated and energetic Assistant Engineer to join our Public Work Team. The ideal candidate must possess strong written and oral communication skills, be able to respond to resident requests and support the execution and delivery of the City’s traffic and transportation engineering projects. Project work may include a variety of traffic and transportation engineering designs consisting of signal improvements, roadway and street rehabilitation design, signing/ striping, worksite traffic control, review of traffic operations, and parking studies. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity. APPLY NOW!

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under general supervision, performs professional and technical engineering work involving engineering public works, private development, street, water, storm drain, sewer construction and maintenance, and traffic signal projects; prepares traffic signal engineering plans, specifications, and engineering calculations; estimates materials costs, conducts engineering inspections and surveys, and assists in the preparation of engineering reports; and does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Assistant Engineer is the entry-level classification in the professional engineering series. This job performs assigned engineering tasks requiring knowledge of civil engineering principles, cost estimation practices, surveying techniques, and the use of computer aided design and drafting equipment. The job requires lesser knowledge of engineering design practices and project management practices for private land development and public works design and construction projects than the Associate Engineer. The Assistant Engineer spends more time conducting field inspections, material cost computations, and mapping and technical support functions. The Assistant Engineer receives greater work direction from engineering management and does not require a professional engineering license.

Essential Functions

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the class.

Prepares plans, specifications, and cost estimates for specific elements of engineering projects, such as sewer plans, street plans, water plans, traffic control installations, traffic signal and street light plans, public facilities, and other design and construction documents.

Prepares, researches, and updates design and detail drawings and perspectives, and parcel, tract, and location maps involving land sites, public infrastructure, and improvements using computer aided design and drafting software.

Prepares and participates in the preparation and verification of material and labor cost estimates and construction specifications for contracted development and capital improvement projects, and associated engineering permit fees.

Provides technical direction to engineering technician classifications given questions regarding construction specifications, engineering cost calculations, mapping standards, and other work practices.

Provides technical direction regarding field inspections and the procedures for taking measurements, and verifying physical site measurements, soil conditions, irrigation controls, and locations of public improvements.

Assists in reviewing and processing land development plans, traffic control plans, subdivision tract maps, and grading plans; calculates plan check and development fees; sends out and monitors status of proposal and plan check review packages.

Reviews engineering plans, construction documents, change orders, and material specifications for conformance with contract requirements and city and county standards and regulations in working with developers and contractors.

Conducts special studies of street lighting, traffic engineering, traffic control needs, water and sewer projects, and similar programs given technical direction of the Assistant City Engineer, Traffic and Transportation Manager, or Associate Engineer.

Prepares non-compliance letters, and public education materials; provides information regarding projects and conditions to developers, contractors, and the general public.

Tabulates and analyzes traffic counts, prepares street specifications, and provides or reviews data provided in traffic studies.

Responds to inquiries and provides mapping, structural, and engineering information to developers, contractors, utility companies, City Council, Traffic and Transportation Commission, and the general public, as well as other public entities in cooperatively funded or joint projects and programs.

Administers public works construction contracts including the preparation of reports and correspondence.

Prepares reports to the Traffic and Transportation Commission and the City Council.

Qualifications Guidelines

Knowledge of:

Theory and principles of municipal civil and structural engineering design; public works construction practices; basic provisions of Subdivision Map Act and subdivision design principles; surveying methods; traffic engineering principles and practices; strength, properties and uses of construction materials and cost estimation practices; communications techniques; effective customer service techniques.

Ability To

Prepare engineering plans, specifications, and reports; prepare engineering calculations and cost estimates related to public works and capital improvement projects; prepare and evaluate engineering data; organize and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines; prepare and update drawings, maps, notes, correspondence and other written materials; conduct and use surveying and traffic counting tools and equipment; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, utility representatives, contractors, architects, and developers; operate computer equipment and use computer-aided design (AutoCAD), mapping, spreadsheet and word processing programs.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms above and below shoulder level. The employee uses finger dexterity in order to operate computer hardware for extended periods of time. The employee must be able to talk and hear. The employee is constantly required to sit, and occasionally to stand and walk to access counters, work areas and files; stoop, kneel, or crouch to access or place records or files; lift and carry records and documents, typically weighing less than 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, the incumbent is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; perform highly detailed work under changing, intensive deadlines, on multiple concurrent tasks; work with constant interruptions; and interact with staff, management, developers, contractors, consultants, and the general public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The employee typically works in both office and field settings. Within the office, the noise level is frequently quiet or moderately quiet. In the field, the employee is occasionally exposed to loud construction machinery noise at job sites. Frequent driving is required to perform field inspections of land use development, construction sites, and public facilities; the employee is subject to variable traffic and weather conditions.

Education/Training/Experience

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Civil Engineering or a related field is required. One year of professional civil engineering experience and proficiency in the use of computer aided design (AutoCAD) software programs (as demonstrated by completed coursework or on-the-job experience) is required, preferably including municipal experience involving public works projects. Experience within a specific field related to the position assignment is highly desirable. Engineer-In-Training (E.I.T.) certification may be substituted for required professional civil engineering experience.

Licenses/Certificates/Special Requirements

Valid Class C California driver license, acceptable driving record, and evidence of insurance are required.

Engineer-In-Training (E.I.T.) certification from the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers is desirable.

APPLICANT INFORMATION/EXAM WEIGHT

Applicants must submit a City application online through the Human Resources Department web pageatwww.buenapark.com/hr. Applications may be accompanied by a resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the requirements of the position, however, resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City employment application.

All applications will be reviewed and only those candidates determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to an oral interview and/or written exams and oral presentations. Successful candidates will be placed on the employment eligible list from which hires may be made. An eligible list is valid for up to one year unless exhausted sooner.

The City of Buena Park is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, age, veteran status or disability.

Americans With Disabilities

Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources. If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (714) 562-3515 no later than 5 business days before the test date.

Fingerprinting

Applicants who are selected for hire are fingerprinted during the pre-placement processing period. All fingerprints will be processed with the Department of Justice to verify criminal records or absence thereof.

Physical Examination

Employment offers are conditional based, upon the successful completion of a medical examination which may include drug and alcohol screening. Physicals are performed by the City's designated physician at the City's expense.

Below is a list of key benefits offered to employees of the City of Buena Park and is only a summary of benefits. They are not intended to replace or modify the legal plan documents on file in the Human Resources Department.

SALARY RANGE: Composed of six (6) steps - Entry step through E step (Except management positions). Each step represents an increase of approximately five (5) percent.

RETIREMENT: Provided through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Employee pays member contribution.

VACATION: Earned at the rate of ten (10) working days per year for the first five (5) years of service. Public safety employees receive a different but equivalent benefit. Additional vacation may be earned by employees after five (5) years of service.

SICK LEAVE: Accumulated on the basis of eight (8) hours per month with no maximum accumulation.

HOLIDAYS:An average of eleven (11) holidays per year.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Several plans (indemnity and HMO's) are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium according to the bargaining unit agreement.

DENTAL INSURANCE: Three (3) plans are available. The City pays a flat rate portion of the premium. The Employee may pay a portion of the insurance premium according at bargaining unit agreement and this benefit is voluntary.

VISION INSURANCE: One plan is available. The Employee pays the insurance premium and this benefit is voluntary.

LIFE INSURANCE: Amount of coverage is based on the employee bargaining unit. Premiums are fully paid by the City.

LONG TERM DISABILITY: Fully paid by the City. Police sworn personnel are not eligible.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Available to all City employees and their immediate families.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: The City offersone (1) plan administered by Nationwide Retirement Solutions. This is a voluntary benefit with no City contribution.

WORK SCHEDULE:4/10 or 3/12 alternative work schedule depending upon the work location.

OC CREDIT UNION: Available to all City employees and their families.

CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE: Available to all Full Time City employees with eligible dependents 0 - 5 years of age.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous