Department Project Engineer

Location Public Works Department Tribal Headquarters, Plummer Idaho

Compensation DOE/Q

This is a professional public works construction management position with primary work assignments focused on managing construction project design, bidding, contract compliance, quality assurance, and compliance with project standards and specifications. The project engineer must implement design standards, research project requirements, perform GIS mapping, understand, follow, and implement departmental procedures for administering bid processes and contracting with the Tribe. Incumbents are expected to manage specific project components for the design, development, construction and review of tribal construction projects to ensure excellent results. The work is performed under the supervision of the Public Works Director. The incumbent also performs other duties of the department as required or as assigned by the Director. The project engineer will also help supervise consultants, administer contracts, manage projects, contractors, and part-time staff.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Performs contract management and engineering-related services for the design, construction, inspection and review of tribal construction projects in order to ensure excellent results.

• Develops preliminary designs and assembles specifications for identified public works construction projects.

• Works with design consulting firms to ensure contracted design work meets the Tribe’s construction standards and specifications.

• Develops a variety of engineering calculations for streets, utility systems, and construction projects.

•Prepares and/or reviews engineering documents, legal documents, maps, contracts and correspondence for public works department construction projects.

• Plans, organizes and implements public works construction projects utilizing engineering drawings and field data and profiles. Creates preliminary and final designs with plans and cross sections, estimates of materials, final contract engineering drawings, proposals and contracts, solicits bids, evaluates bidder qualifications and makes contract award recommendations. Conducts pre-construction meetings, creates and/or approves traffic control plans, coordinates inspection schedules, materials testing, record keeping, submittals, requests for information, contractor claims, manages design changes and change orders in concert with supervisor, calculates and prepares monthly progress payment reports, reviews contractor pay requests, creates as-built drawings, and project close-out reports.

• Serves as a liaison to consultants and the public and performs quality control/quality assurance activities on project designs to ensure that projects are designed according to the Tribe’s design standards, material specifications, and needs; maintains accurate records of work completed and materials used and notifies consultants and supervisor of authorized project modifications or non-compliance.

• Inspects and tests materials used by consultants and contractors on projects.

• May conduct traffic counts and traffic control studies and related field work.

• Participates in all phases of field work as required or as directed.

• Coordinates the implementation of public works construction projects and inspects projects during construction to ensure compliance with project design standards, approved plans, specifications and permit requirements

. • Manages all aspects of construction project accounting, prevailing wage compliance, and funding source reporting requirements.

• Records and maintains accurate field notes, performs engineering calculations, field studies, observes and enforces safety procedures.

• Maintains and updates accurate public works department maps and engineering files.

• Operates small excavator, skid steer, pickups, 1-ton trucks and trailers.

• Uses computer-aided drafting and ArcGIS mapping software and a variety of personal computer programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, database and other miscellaneous engineering and general purpose programs.

• Attends work on a regular and dependable basis.

• Interacts in a professional, tactful, and respectful manner with Tribal staff, contractors, elected officials, and the public.

Please Note: The duties listed above 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 position.

Knowledge of:

• The terminology, methods, and practices of engineering, drafting, preliminary and final design, and surveying, and skills in their application to Tribal public works projects;

• Public works construction materials, methods, procedures, and practices;

• The materials, methods, and practices used in public works construction inspection and materials testing, and their application to Tribal public works construction projects.

• Consultant and contractor procurement processes.

• Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and requirements for administering federally-funded projects through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal Transit Administration, and Indian Health Services.

• Competitive bid process and contractor procurement. 

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, design, review, and implement public works construction projects;

• Evaluate engineering designs, plans, and specifications on a variety of construction projects, and to work with consultants and contractors to ensure bids include required project components;

• Keep accurate records and field notes, make engineering computations, and prepare plans and designs for Tribal public works projects;

• Read and understand blueprints, details, profile designs, engineering plans and specifications;

• Combine sound engineering judgment and common sense to solve a variety of design and construction problems;

• Use computer programs such as computer-aided drafting and ArcGIS mapping software and a variety of personal computer programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases and other miscellaneous engineering and general purpose programs;

• Deal courteously and tactfully with contractors and the public;

• Work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, walk safely on and through rough terrain, and work in vehicular traffic areas;

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with department personnel, consultants, contractors, and the public;

• Provide quality services in a cost-effective manner and recommend improved methods of performing the work;

• Physically perform the essential functions of the job;

• Possession of a valid driver’s license and safe driving record.

Persons applying for a position of this class must possess the following experience and training:

• Must support the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s: vision, mission, and core values per CdA Resolution 015(2020).

• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited university in an engineering or construction-related field.

• Three (3) years of demonstrated experience working in a public or private sector position as a project engineer, project manager, or engineer in training, successfully completing civil engineering design projects or construction project administration.

• Experience and knowledge sufficient to provide an understanding of civil engineering, construction and project management principles to allow the incumbent to successfully manage public works construction projects. 

• Must be able to accurately type 40 words per minute.

• Experience working with Indian Policy preferred.

• Must not have been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty.

• Must have a valid state driver’s license at the time of application and during employment.

Personal computer and ancillary equipment, including plotter, word processing, spreadsheet, database and computer aided-design software; underground utility locater, laser level, traffic study equipment; inspection and materials testing equipment; office equipment; standard drafting tools; 4-pound hammer; camera; motor vehicle; portable radio; and cell phone.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed mostly in office settings. Outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments, construction sites, or public works facilities. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, and in high, precarious places, and near open excavations. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme temperate conditions, fumes or airborne particles, raw sewage, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The employee occasionally works in streets near vehicular traffic. The employee occasionally uses 4pound hammers for an extended period of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderateto-loud in the field.

Note:

The duties listed 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 position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

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An applicant may be asked to participate in an interview to establish whether he/she meets the minimum qualifications. Interviews do not create a right to employment and provide no promise or guarantee of employment with the Tribe.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe reserves the right to hire according to its Indian Preference Policy. Applicants are subject to a pre-employment drug test and at-random testing following employment. Positions with the Coeur d’Alene Tribe are subject to a 6-month orientation period.