ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN II

The salary range for this position is $5,675.00 - $7,548.00 monthly.

Thurston County Public Works is recruiting for an Engineering Technician II to join our dynamic, energetic, and innovative Construction team. The successful candidate will perform a variety of work for Public Works projects, including inspection of the County's capital improvement projects. They will also support many functions of the Office of the County Engineer.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Prepare, write, and review for completeness and accuracy a variety of reports, procedures, plans, and documents for Public Works projects. (e.g. permits, legal documents, appraisals, right of way, construction plans, request for proposals, project estimates, property management investigations, etc.)
• Assist civil engineers in preparing road, bridge, utility and stormwater plans, including all plan specifications and estimate preparation, alignment determination, design computations, drainage and pavement design, geometrics, capacity and cost estimates.
• Compute pay estimate quantities and prepare estimates for change orders on construction projects for approval by a project engineer.
• Perform general engineering calculations, drafting, testing, data/material collection, database maintenance, analysis and related reporting or report preparation.
• Prepare plans, specifications and estimates for projects.

Essential Personnel: This position is considered to be an essential worker and may be required to work during non-business hours or closures in order to meet operational requirements and needs.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work Environment – Work is performed both in the office and in the field in a variety of weather conditions. Construction sites have a variety of activities occurring simultaneously which is not limited to moving construction equipment on the ground and overhead, people working, roadside traffic, etc. In addition, construction sites have a variety of topographical characteristics (e.g. uneven ground, steep slopes, soft soils, etc.).
• Schedule - Monday – Thursday, 6:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Workload demands may require work outside the assigned work hours.
• Travel Requirements - Travel to various construction projects within Thurston County is required.
Customer Interactions - Daily interactions via phone, in-person, and video with Thurston County staff, contractors, and the public.

WHO WE ARE:

The Thurston County Public Works Department , located in Olympia, Washington, is a national award-winning agency in delivering quality projects to our community. Our mission is to provide excellent public services in all areas of our business. We actively help our staff develop and grow professionally, we bring together resources across divisions to achieve organizational goals, we are always ready to respond to community needs, and we are an American Public Works Association accredited agency, consistently meeting industry best practices benchmarks.

Our Core Values:

• Accountability – We take responsibility for our actions and the resulting outcomes.
• Customer Service – We provide our customers with the highest level of service and quality.
• Innovation – We strive to continuously improve processes, performance, and results.
• Safety – We demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to safety.
• Teamwork – We work together toward achieving a common recognized end.

Mission - to provide excellent public services in all areas of our business.

Vision – The premier public works organization, accountable and transparent in all services we provide to our community.

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values.

HAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance : We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service, while also sustaining a routine that suits each individual’s lifestyle.
• Plan For Your Future : As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family.
• Paid Leave : Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays .
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Flexible Work Schedules: Some of the options that employees may take advantage of include alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Deferred Compensation : The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA ) : Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program that allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program .
  

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmers markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com .

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates degree in survey, civil engineering or closely related field.
• Three years' related field and office experience performing support technical tasks in survey, engineering, or construction. Additional experience may substitute educational requirements on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience using computers and relevant and software.
• A valid Driver's License. (As a condition of employment, employee must possess a valid Washington State Driver's License within 30 days of employment.)
Depending on area of assignment applicants may be required to have specialized experience or certifications associated with the position (e.g. Supervision, Bridge Inspection, flagger certification, etc.)

DESIRED SKILLS:

• Thorough knowledge of construction inspection, including knowledge of pavement repair methods.
• Environmental awareness is crucial. Incumbents must be able to recognize potential hazards and be able to respond quickly and appropriately to ensure safe operations.
• Lift and move objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Work requires employees conduct themselves in a manner that is responsible, ethical, professional, and safe.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas or project issues in a clear, comprehensive, effective and professional manner, both orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff, contractors, engineering firms, the general public, and representatives of other agencies.

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact Steve Bricker, Construction and Engineering Support Manager, at 360-867-2361 or steve.bricker@co.thurston.wa.us

This position is:

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Eligible for benefits

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• Supplemental Questions

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498. Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.