What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Professional Engineer position at City of Santa Cruz?
Under general direction, the Senior Professional Engineer supervises, participates in and conducts complicated engineering planning and design; oversees activities of design engineering, surveying, development review, transportation planning and engineering records management; manages projects and programs associated with streets and transportation, buildings, wastewater, water, refuse, recycling and storm water; participates in the enforcement of the City's standards and codes for development; and performs related work as assigned.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:
The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.
- On Thursday, 05/15/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit:
- Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely. Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
- Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application.
- Week of 05/19 and 05/26/25: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position.
- Week of 06/09 and 06/16/25: Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment and interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates. The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exam.
Selects, supervises, trains and evaluates assigned staff.
Plans, assigns, directs and reviews the work of staff engineers developing engineering designs, specifications, estimates, and contracts for a variety of municipal projects.
Ensures effective and timely implementation and submission of the projects in keeping with schedules, standards, budget and risks, and in compliance with the terms of project contracts.
Prepares and reviews plans, specifications, estimates, survey maps and technical reports for accuracy, suitability, and completeness, and makes recommendations for revision and improvement.
Participates in negotiation with the contractors/vendors and engineering professionals to establish formal agreements.
Prepares preliminary and final cost estimates.
Confers with contractors, consulting engineers, developers, and members of the public on engineering problems and public work programs.
Performs and supervises difficult and complex civil engineering design work.
Review development proposals and building plan checks and prepare conditions of approval and recommend corrections.
Supervise the preparation of official maps and the maintenance and filing of base maps, engineering drawings, street address maps, and related materials.
Responds and takes appropriate action to public inquiries and concerns related to capital improvement, development, transportation, public works, wastewater, stormwater, refuse/recycling and water programs/projects.
Prepares and supervises the preparation of staff reports and make oral presentations at City Council, City Commissions and other boards as assigned.
Prepares and monitors the annual budget for the assigned team.
Oversees and monitors processes and budgets for State and Federal grants and funds for all types of public works projects and programs as assigned.
Prepares or assists with preparing grant applications for all types of capital improvement projects and evaluations.
Represents the City at meetings with outside agencies.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings.
Keeps updated on new trends and innovations in engineering; and incorporates into projects.
Promotes and maintains safety in the work place.
Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Primarily working inside, this position requires both office and field work. In the office this position requires prolonged sitting and walking in the performance of daily activities. The work will occasionally require climbing, stooping, kneeling and crouching. The position also requires grasping, feeling, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination. Additionally, the position requires far and near vision, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors, and perceive depth. Acute hearing is required when receiving oral communication; the ability to talk is also required. The position requires the ability to lift and carry items up to 10 pounds. The incumbent drives a city vehicle weekly. Duties of this position occasionally take place outside in various types of weather, or in an environment with constant noise, around machinery with moving parts, and/or around moving objects or vehicles. Job duties may occasionally require going below ground, into confined spaces, or onto ladders or scaffolding. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.
The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:
Education and Experience:
- A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or a related engineering field, and
- Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in engineering as related to the position which includes project management; and
- Two (2) years of supervisory experience.
Knowledge:
- Principles, practices and administration of civil engineering, transportation engineering, and surveying.
- Modern methods and techniques used in the design, construction and surveying of a variety of public works engineering projects, including water, street, sewer, transportation, storm drains, buildings, structures, sewerage collection, sewerage treatment, refuse and recycling collection and disposal.
- Pertinent State and Federal regulations, regulatory codes and ordinances including the requirements of the Subdivision Map Act and Santa Cruz Municipal Code
- Principles of organization, administration, budget in municipal government.
- Right of way acquisition methods and procedures.
- Environmental clearance and permitting
- Preparation of property legal descriptions.
- Applicable laws and regulatory codes relevant to engineering design, development review, transportation engineering and construction in the areas of assignment.
- Principles and practices of contract administration.
- Principles and practices of project management.
- Principles and practices of employee supervision, training and evaluation.
- Grant procurement and administration.
Skills:
- Perform, review and supervise design engineering;
- Writing skills to prepare clear and comprehensive reports on administrative and technical issues.
- Oral communication skills to present technical information to individuals and groups.
- Analytical skills to conduct engineering studies and develop appropriate recommendations for action.
- Organizational skills to coordinate and manage effectively all aspects of a large engineering project.
- Management and supervisory skills to develop effective teams and individuals.
Abilities:
- Make complex engineering computations and to check, design and construction of a variety of public works projects.
- Prepare clear, concise and accurate specifications and technical reports.
- Prepare and present clear and comprehensive reports and grant applications.
- Plan, organize, train, coordinate, supervise and evaluate the work of professional and technical subordinates.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, public officials, outside agencies and the public.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Oversee and coordinate work of consulting engineers.
- Effectively organize workload.
- Interpret, apply and explain laws, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
- Ability to develop and advance policy considerations for Commissions and Council.
- Develop and control capital and operational budgets.
- Solve difficult engineering problems, using a variety of engineering techniques.
- Use computers in engineering-related functions.
Licenses and Certificates
- Possession and continued maintenance of a valid California Class C driver’s license.
- Registration as a civil engineer in the State of California. Registration under other Professional Engineering license types (for example, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Traffic) may be considered on a case by case basis as required by the position.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Municipal engineering experience related to area of assignment.
- Assistant Director/City Engineer (PW) or Deputy Director/Engineering Manager (Water)
- Senior Professional Engineer
- Associate Professional Engineer
- Engineering Associate
- Assistant Engineer I/II
- Engineering Technician
Salary : $134,844 - $173,820
