Hybrid Utility Engineer at City of Lancaster (PA)

About the Department

Working under the direction of the City Engineer or designee, this position will evaluate projects for Public Works.  Projects may include evaluation and documentation of existing facilities and practices, procurement document preparations, construction inspection, cost analysis, treatment studies,  design of projects, water capacity modeling and regulatory review and compliance recommendations. This position will work closely with and provide technical support for all sections of the Water Bureau and their consultants. As such, this position requires working knowledge in the areas of construction, chemistry, hydraulics, electronics, regulations, and utility management as they apply to a large public water supply system.  

Position Duties

• Follows safe practices in the performance of duties.
• Reads and interprets federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Works with consultants and staff to develop capital improvement plans.
• Works with City Departments to meet infrastructure requirements.
• Assists in the development of capital improvement projects including  design of projects, consultant selection, specifications, contract documents, permit application, cost estimation, public bidding, construction inspection and project management.
• Evaluates current and proposed applicable regulations from governing bodies and make recommendations.  
• Reviews technological advances in the water industry for application to the City. 
• Assists in facility management of all building and equipment for the Bureau of Water. 
• Works closely with customers during project development, design, construction and process commissioning and start-up.
• Performs field measurements, sampling, and analysis including operating and carrying of test equipment and instruments.
• Assists the Water Quality Supervisor and Production Supervisor to identify water quality/production and delivery problems and provide recommendations to correct the problems.
• Performs hydraulic reviews and computations, considering existing and future demands/flows to determine pipe sizing and alignments and available capacity of existing water systems; 
• Utilizes Bentley’s WaterGEMS software and AutoCAD Civil 3D to model water capacity requests or other similar purpose software.
• Reviewing plans and specifications prepared by Architect-Engineering firms for repair/upgrade projects of water  systems and connections to the distribution system.   This includes meter and back flow locations.
• Prepares clear and concise progress and final reports on utility activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in engineering or closely related discipline is required and six-month experience as an intern or similar experience. Engineering-in-Training Certificate desired.
  
  

• Possession of a valid State Driver’s License is required.

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge of safe practices related to Public Works. 
• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, physics, chemistry and their application.Basic knowledge of water modeling software such as Bentley WaterGEMS and AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Basic knowledge of backflow preventer operation.
• Thorough knowledge of governmental regulations, particularly as it relates to The Clean Water Act or the Safe Drinking Water Act and applicable sections of the Code of Regulations or other agency regulations that apply to the City’s facilities and permits is required.
• Basic knowledge of water utility operations and industry standards is required.
• Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology including applying principles, techniques, procedures and equipment to the design and production of local government projects.
• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings and models.
• Proven computer proficiency in Windows environment and ability to learn various computer programs is required.
• Skill in the use of logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Skills in considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate.
• Proven ability to read, write speak and comprehend business English is required.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas and to listen and understand information and ideas both orally and in writing.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate successfully with others is required. 
• Proven ability to adapt to new or changed situations and to show flexibility in making improvements in work processes and operations is required.
• Proven ability to exhibit customer-centered behaviors and to focus on customer needs is required.
• Proven ability to commit to excellence in service and to continuous improvement is required.

• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, regulations, policies and procedures is required.
• Ability to enforce and interpret City Codes, Ordinances and contracts fairly, with firmness, tact and impartiality.

• Works outdoors and indoors with, or without, heat and/or air conditioning. 

• Exposure to noise and pollution.
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled.
• May be exposed to extreme weather conditions such as heat, cold, wind, rain; exposure to conditions at project sites such as dirt, dust, caustic substances, loud noise and exposure to heat from liquid asphalt while making site visits, including long periods of standing outdoors.
  
  

• The City provides the use of safety glasses, vests, hard hats, gloves, and other required safety equipment.
  
  

• Requires operation of a motor vehicle.

• Works around motorized or moving equipment and machinery.

• Job requires walking, squatting, bending, kneeling, reaching, climbing, crawling for up to eight (8) hours a day, frequently in unfavorable weather conditions.

• This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.