County Engineer

The County Engineer serves as the principal professional engineer in the department and provides professional guidance in sound application of engineering and technical principles of design and construction as well as providing oversight of the ER&R. 

Supervisory and other relationships

The County Engineer reports directly to the Public Works Director and carries out the responsibilities assigned by the county legislative authority as outlined in RCW 36.80.

This position has direct supervision over the professional and leadership staff in the following work areas:  Bridge, Central Shop, Engineering, Road Districts, and Sign shop. 

Contacts are typically with co-workers, vendors, suppliers, other county employees, state and local government officials, elected and appointed officials, community leaders, business leaders, contractors, vendors, engineers, and the general public.

The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties.  Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position. Employee must comply with all County and department policies, procedures, WAC’s, or other regulatory bodies.

• Plans, directs, coordinates, and controls, directly or indirectly, all engineering, maintenance, and construction work performed on the County Roads system under the direction of the Public Works Director.
• Coordinates County Road construction activities with other public or private agencies to effect maximum possible cooperation.
• Directs and conducts accurate, complete field surveys to gather information for the planning and preparation of new work. Directs acquisition of required rights-of-way.
• Responsible and accountable for the efficient and complete inspection of all work performed, to assure conformity to standards and specifications, and responsible, upon completion of work, for the acceptance and preparation of final reports.
• Responsible and accountable for the overseeing ER&R.
• Performs professional engineering designing, testing, and approval functions on all roads work.
• Reviews all documents and specifications, estimates quantities and cost of materials, equipment, or labor to determine project feasibility relative to all construction settings and Engineering Department equipment needs, and carries out, or directs, the purchasing of all authorized equipment, materials, and supplies for the Engineering division.
• Coordinates the establishment and vacation of County Roads including the public hearing process.
• Responsible for the development of both short and long range plans for construction projects, under the direction of the Public Works Director, and keeps the Board informed of all matters relating to present, proposed, and needed work on roads. Schedules and supervises work as assigned by the Public Works Director.
• Prepares accurate and complete reports relating to budgets, construction programs, road and bridge plans, annual reports, and any other required areas, submitting materials to the Public Works Director, Board of Commissioners, County Road Administration Board, or other agencies as needed.
• Responsible and accountable, supervision, training, directing, evaluation, motivation, development, discipline to include discharge, and over-all direction of a well-trained, efficient, and capable work force to carry out assigned responsibilities. May delegate responsibility but not accountability, for work performed in County Engineering areas.
• Keeps current on developments, potential grants, literature, and information within scope of responsibility.
• Preserves all governmentally established monuments and section corners.
• Shall create, develop, and maintain, effective and positive public relations within the  County, and serves as a direct representative of Grant County Public Works.  Performs public relations work within Grant County communities and the state; keeps the Board of Commissioners posted on new state and federally imposed regulations consults with the public  concerning problems or complaints.
• Responsible for jointly meeting the statutory requirements for County Engineer established by RCW and WAC.
• Performs various other duties within scope of responsibility as assigned by the Public Works Director or Board   of Commissioners.
• Prepares and oversees annual public works maintenance contracts.
• Ensures compliance with safety policies and procedures.
• Coordinates division activities with other county departments.
• Coordinates the work of other agencies performing work in County rights-of-way.
• Communicates with the public to provide information, provide services, and resolve problems.
• Reviews and forwards time sheets and invoices for approval.
• Prepares and administers county roads standards updates.

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. Any combination of education and experience may be substituted as long as it provides the desired skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Required

• Graduation from an approved college or university with major course work in civil engineering.
• Valid Washington State Certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer.
• Must qualify to be bonded.
• Thorough professional experience in civil engineering (including field and office) plus at least 4 years of extensive and progressively responsible highway engineering work.
• Experience leading teams with a mix of professional, engineering, private development, technical, labor/trades, and clerical staff is desired. 

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Management, Engineering, Business, or degree related to the occupation field. 
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Washington for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.

The physical abilities 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 regularly required to sit, walk, write, hear, speak, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crawl, go up and down a ladder and/or step stool, and lift up and/or move up to 50 lbs. of unequal weight. The position requires the employee sit prolonged periods of time and regular computer keyboard work is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to travel to various project sites. Must be able to access and navigate job site and construction areas.

Salary : $130,187 - $153,209