City Engineer

The City of Westminster is seeking a City Engineer with strong technical expertise in Public Works infrastructure planning, design and/or construction, complemented by strong leadership and project management skills.

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DEFINITION

Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for the Engineering Division within the Public Works Department, including capital improvement project (CIP) planning, design, and construction, permitting and land development services, construction inspection, and real property management; assists in coordinating assigned activities with other City departments, divisions, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among City departments, divisions, and with intergovernmental and regulatory agencies and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the Public Works Director in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

Receives administrative direction from the Public Works Director.   Exercises general direction and supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

This is a management classification in the Public Works Department.  The incumbent oversees, directs, and participates in the engineering functions of the Public Works Department, including short- and long-term Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning, development, and administration of Federal, State, and local funds for capital improvements and expansions, and providing professional-level support to the Public Works Director in a variety of areas.  Successful performance of the work requires an extensive professional background as well as skill in coordinating departmental work with that of other City departments and public agencies. Responsibilities include performing and directing many of the department’s day-to-day administrative functions.  This class is distinguished from the Public Works Director in that the latter has overall management responsibility for all public works programs, functions, and activities, and for developing, implementing, and interpreting public policy.

POSITION IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until the position has been filled. This recruitment may close at any time without notice. The first review of applications will take place on February 25, 2025.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Assumes management responsibility for all engineering functions and activities, including all CIP planning, design, and construction, permitting and land development services, construction inspection, and real property management.
• Administers environmental quality standards and programs associated with FEMA floodplain administration, NPDES, and water quality compliance.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the assigned division; recommends, within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Manages the development and administration of the annual budget and capital improvement budgets for the division; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements adjustments.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues; responds to staff questions and concerns; makes discipline recommendations to the Public Works Director.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve and continuously monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, projects, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends to the Public Works Director.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposal for professional and/or construction services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; negotiates and administers contracts after award; ensures contractor compliance with City standards and specifications and time and budget estimates; analyzes and resolves complex problems that may arise; recommends and approves field changes as required.
• Monitors local, State, and Federal legislation relate to public works issues and applies for applicable funding opportunities.
• Conducts CIP planning activities; provides oversight and input into the conceptual design of engineering projects; investigates and resolves problems with scope of work or cost issues of major facility upgrade and replacement projects.
• Analyzes civil engineering plan design, specifications, and consultant and staff comments in accordance with design requirements and municipal and intergovernmental standards and regulations; recommends approval or additional engineering conditions and changes.
• Meets and confers with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating engineering matters; provides information regarding City development requirements.
• Serves as a liaison for the department to other City departments, divisions, elected officials, outside agencies, and the public; attends meetings in various locations; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces; participates in community events and workshops that provide public information regarding departmental programs, projects, and services; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities.
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects to the City Council, as well as various boards, commissions, and committees, as assigned by the Public Works Director.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering and other types of public works services as they relate to the area of assignment.
• Maintains and directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files.
• Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and technology that may affect City or departmental operations; implements policy and procedural changes as required.
• Responds to difficult and sensitive public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations.
• May serve as acting Public Works Director in his/her absence.  
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff.
• Principles and practices of budget administration.
• Public agency contract administration, administrative practices, and general principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures, and operational needs; principles and practices of municipal government administration.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to the planning, design, cost estimating, construction, installation, and inspection of a wide variety of municipal facilities.
• Civil engineering principles, concepts, standards, and practices associated with public works programs and private development projects.
• Principles and practices of environmental impact assessment and related regulatory processes.
• Methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of public works projects.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures, such as CEQA, NPDES, and State/County water quality guidelines.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Methods and techniques for the development of presentations, contract negotiations and management, business correspondence, and information distribution; research and reporting methods, techniques, and procedures.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.

Ability to:

• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient engineering services.
• Plan, organize, and direct effective CIP and public works engineering services and programs.
• Conduct complex civil engineering research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.
• Analyze and interpret engineering plans and specifications in accordance with design requirements and applicable standards and regulations.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, technical written material, and City engineering policies and procedures.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional, and technical personnel.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate the work of staff and train staff in work procedures.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with stipulations; effectively administer a variety of engineering programs and administrative activities.
• Conduct effective negotiations and effectively represent the City and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, or a related field, and eight (8) years of management and/or administrative experience in civil engineering and capital improvement program administration, including three (3) years management and/or supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
• Possess and maintain a valid certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone.  This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas may be required.   Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.  Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.  Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS 

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.  Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Salary : $140,028 - $178,716