Associate Engineer

Ditesco, an ESP Associates company, is a Fort Collins-based program management, project management, construction management and civil engineering firm that focuses on delivering high quality services tailored to our client’s needs. Our team is dedicated to continually improving and learning from our past work, and we firmly believe in a collaborative and inclusive work approach. Our work has spanned over 17 years of service to the northern Colorado community. We have been trusted with delivering projects ranging from water and wastewater treatment facilities, transportation, utilities, dams, public spaces, municipal broadband and vertical buildings.   

Ditesco possesses the ability to ensure a project is delivered wholly and successfully. We focus on providing value through trust, dedication, and hard work, utilizing a total project delivery philosophy that provides clients with a complete management effort from project conception through final close-out.

SUMMARY

The Associate Engineer is an engineering position within Ditesco that has advanced beyond an entry level engineer. This position is responsible for the design, project, and construction management of public utilities, telecommunications, broadband, heavy civil water transmission, and public and commercial buildings with oversight from a Senior Project Manager or Program Manager. This position will be responsible to multi-task and manage multiple projects effectively. It will also be responsible for the inspection of construction work for contract compliance, project documentation, and recommendation of remediation measures as necessary. 

Supervision Received: Works under the general supervision of the assigned Program Manager or Senior Project Manager.
Supervision Exercised: Does not directly supervise subordinates.
Classification: Full-time, exempt employee

RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Other duties may be assigned. Duties are varied in nature and include:

•  Works at local and remote jobsites, as assigned.
• Manages and produces project design tasks such as plans, reports, maps, and other data related to project design.
• Perform design of broadband outside plant fiber cabling, conduit routing, vault placement; develop splice cards and other telecommunications technologies as may be applicable.
• Ability to draft technical reports.
• Manage and project controls (cost, schedule, quality).
• Manage client budgets for construction phases of work with supervisory oversight, and consults regularly with supervisor on cost and budgetary issues on projects.
• Performs project schedule analysis using Microsoft Project or other project management scheduling software to track critical path and monitor float and project progress.
• Attends, and may oversee, weekly project progress meetings.
• Create, review, edit, and distribute meeting minutes and support project documentation.
• Assist with writing and coordinating the distribution of monthly dashboard reports.
• Maintain a daily log of construction and inspection activities and prepare and review progress reports.
• Assist with managing construction quality control and assurance programs with supervisory oversight.
• Provide field engineering support as needed on construction projects. 
• Complete site inspection for engineering design and construction management services.
• Contract administration of various project types (GMP, Unit Price, Cost Plus, etc.) including assisting in the review, and approval of pay applications, change orders, field orders, and change directives.
• Perform coordination of work items, scheduling, and communication amongst contractors, utility companies, governmental agencies, citizens, and others as needed.
• Manage project closeout procedures which consist of commissioning activities including punch list, completion certificates, warranties, start-up and testing, early project operations, and final payment procedures.
• Assist with accurate record drawings and as-built documentation maintained throughout project delivery.
• Manage project schedule controls.
• Understand project risk in engineering design and construction management.
• Assist in project invoicing, completing timely reviews, and accurate reporting of project costs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• Special Licensing or Certification: Fundamentals of Engineering (EI) preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience:Minimum 3 years of increasingly responsible experience in engineering and construction with emphasis in the following areas:
  • Construction and project management
  • Engineering experience related to private, municipal or federal agency projects

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

•  Experience in engineering design or construction with a background in Civil Engineering Design, Construction Management, and/or Project Management.
• Field engineering and layout knowledge.
• Knowledge of engineering principles and construction practices related to civil engineering, commercial and public buildings, public utilities and telecommunications construction. 
• Ability to ensure compliance with, and follow standard safety practices and procedures common to construction work.
• Understanding of construction phasing and practices and ability to implement this knowledge in accurate and construction-grade engineering design.
• Ability to compile data and statistics and evaluate and write reports.
• Ability to read budgets, and proposals, and understand job costs.
• Ability to prepare construction cost estimates for design and construction projects to a AACE Class 3 level accuracy.
• Ability to prepare engineering cost estimates for design and construction projects.
• Ability to effectively communicate using both oral and written communication to internal, external teams and clients.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, clients, and the public.
• Ability to multi-task and handle multiple projects at one time.
• AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and/or Microstation experience.
• ArcGIS experience.
• Microsoft Project scheduling software or similar experience.
• Candidate must be able to pass a drug screen, background check, and have a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the company’s driving (MVR) policy.  

OUR COMMUNITY
Ditesco has served the Northern Colorado community for over 17 years and is based in Fort Collins, Colorado – just minutes from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains! With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, the possibilities are endless with a variety of outdoor activities, live music, local breweries, and is a foodie’s mecca!

Just a few of Ditesco’s Award-Winning Projects we’ve helped our communities deliver:

• Linden Street Renovations | City of Fort Collins, 2023 CMAA Project Achievement Award
• Public Works Maintenance Facility | Town of Mead, 2023 CMAA Colorado Project Achievement Award
• Soldier Canyon 15 MGD Filter Plant Expansion | Soldier Canyon Water Treatment Authority, 2022 CMAA Project Achievement Award
• Safe Water Action Program | City of Fort Collins, 2022 CMAA Project Achievement Award

OUR BENEFITS

Ditesco offers an excellent employee benefits package including:   

• Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews and discretionary annual bonuses
• 401(k) (Traditional & Roth plans) with a guaranteed employer match of 100% up to the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% (eligibility after 60 days) 
• PTO (Paid Time Off) & 10 Paid Holidays
• Tiered Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Options (eligibility after 30 days) 
• Behavioral Medicine through Teladoc
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Education Reimbursement Opportunities
• Flexible and Dependent Benefits Plan
• Referral Bonuses

WHY WORK FOR DITESCO?
Ditesco’s mission is all about enriching our client’s project delivery experience by providing exceptional service and value. We do this by maximizing relationships to deliver successful projects that enhance communities. And the honor code we stand by is being dedicated, honest, collaborative, and trusted.

When you join Ditesco, you’ll:

• Join an award-winning program management, project management, construction management, and civil engineering firm
• Work in a challenging work setting that encourages growth, career development, and stretch goals
• Enjoy rewarding career opportunities within the community and the ability to make a positive impact where you live
• Collaborate in an inclusive work environment enriched by a diverse portfolio of projects
• Hone your archery skills or belly laugh at a comedy club with our Fun Committee events
• Attend annual summer BBQs, holiday parties, and company retreats
• Receive competitive pay and comprehensive benefits

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Language Skills
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to communicate with clients and the public and respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.  Ability to effectively communicate with contractors and people in the construction trades to interpret plans, specifications, and contracts in resolving construction-related issues.  Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.  Ability to effectively present information to management, public groups, and/or clients. Bi-lingual in Spanish is a plus.

Mathematical Skills
Ability to apply mathematical concepts necessary to perform structural, highway geometry, and hydraulic calculations at a professional engineering level.

Reasoning Ability
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; climb, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, uneven terrain, underground or confined space conditions, building heights, and elevated workspaces.   The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud requiring appropriate hearing protection.

All employees are required to take OSHA confined space, fall protection, trench safety, CPR and other training classes as may be required by the company.

Travel Requirements
May be required to travel to projects greater than 50 miles from the main office location.  May be required to perform work at remote job sites for varying lengths of time.