Assistant City Engineer bei City of Charlottesville, VA

About the Department

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.
• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system which offers both a defined benefit and a defined contribution option.  While the City does not participate in VRS, the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. For questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

Position Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description.  The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Reviews public and private plans of development for compliance for zoning, codes and regulations, inspects projects and works with customers to resolve identified issues.
• Administers the Public Rights of Way (PROW) program for private utility companies ensuring compliance with State law and City codes. Including but not limited to reviewing applications, plans, issuing permits, and providing construction administration.
• Administers the Neighborhood Drainage Program (NDP) including reviewing projects applications, visiting sites, preparing documents, managing the financing and overseeing construction administration.
• Provides oversight and support for Erosion and Sediment Control and Virginia Stormwater Management Programs.
• Reviews and approves building permit application and determining eligibility and compliance for issuing building permits.
• Supervises, trains, monitors, and evaluates the performance of subordinate engineers. Provides input on hiring, work objectives, and discipline; and in accordance with established personnel policies and procedures. Assists the City Engineer in establishing professional standards for work quality and accountability.
• Assists with and/or performs surveys, preparation of design criteria, designs, analyses, specification, plans, investigations, cost estimates and related matters.
• Assists in code development, technical specifications, and design standards.
• Assists in monitoring and reporting on division budget.
• Provides guidance to staff, owners, developers, engineers, contractors on concerns, compliance issues, and plans to ensure compliance with laws, codes, regulations and ensure a safe and compliant project. Professionally engages in discussions with the public, residents, developers, management, and others to resolve discrepancies and address issues.
• May represent the department at public meetings, preparing and presenting a variety of reports and information. 
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.
• Subject to being called back to work to the City in emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public.  Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines.

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field AND 3 years of experience in professional engineering, land development projects, or related area.

• Associate degree in engineering or related field AND 5 years of experience in professional engineering, land development projects, or related area.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

• Virginia Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) license.

• Within one year of hire, obtain and maintain a Virginia DEQ Erosion and Sediment Control and Virginia SMP Plan Reviewer certification.
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Driver’s License and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

• Thorough knowledge of GIS mapping, GPS, AutoCAD, Pond Pack, Microsoft Office and other technologies needed to manage projects.
• Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of civil engineering.
• Thorough knowledge of ADA compliance, traffic engineering, land development and land use planning.
• Thorough knowledge of state and local ordinances and regulations such as land use, resiliency and inspections.
• Comprehensive knowledge of design standards and industry construction standards.

• Advanced: Ability to read and understand technical plans, data and complex regulations, specification, and laws. Ability to incorporate reading instructions, materials and technical information into project planning and management.

• Advanced: Ability to organize and develop clear and concise complex written materials such as plan and design of complex projects and documents including idea/inception, research, specifications, drawings, development, contracts, monitoring to conclusion all which require extensive reporting responsibilities. Ability to tailor to specific audiences and explain complex information and ideas, including to the general public.

• Advanced: Ability to calculate complex construction cost estimates, cost reports, and develop/monitor budget for projects. Completes difficult engineering computations and project designs.

• Advanced: Must communicate complex, technical information to a variety of customers including contractors, inspectors, City Officials, committees, employees and the general public.   Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, subordinates, City officials, contractors, developers, and the public. Must be able to problem solve in a way to build consensus and agreement which may include during stressful, negative situations requiring significant tact. Interactions may involve communicating controversial positions and presenting sensitive issues. Evaluates effectiveness, develops cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve communications.

• Requires Administrative Direction: Completes work with substantial discretion and within broad parameters defined by general organizational requirement and accepted practices.

• Advanced: High level skills and extensive knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major projects and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, GIS, GPS, AutoCAD, Pond Pack, other engineering instruments, and departmental software. Skilled in project management, planning and preparing designs, estimates, and specifications.

• Assists in oversight of budget preparation of division budget.  Responsible for monitoring and reporting of project budgets.

• Supervises, monitors, evaluates, and directs work performance of assigned subordinate employees. Input carries substantial weight in hiring, discipline, and work goals/objectives.

• Organization and time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• Tedious and exacting work.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Constant interruptions and request for service.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Problem solves with multiple levels of complexity.
• Work effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
• May be required to work additional hours outside of normal schedule.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Other Qualifications

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to move and traverse on work sites to monitor projects.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.  Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.  
• Engineering design equipment needed to perform the essential duties and monitor subordinates.

• Work is performed in office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• When conducting field visits to monitor and inspect projects, may be exposed to adverse weather conditions, fumes, airborne particles, mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, high or precarious places, inadequate lighting, and near the operation of heavy equipment.
• Expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard hat, safety vest, steel-toe shoes, etc.); and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.
• The noise level is typically moderate but may be loud when conducting site visits.