Engineer or Engineer Associate

This position is open from Friday, January 31 until filled. Applications must be received by 11:59 pm on Sunday, February 23, 2025 to be considered for the first review. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. 

Position Summary: 

As a part of a career progression series, the two vacancies may be filled for this recruitment as an Engineer or Engineering Associate depending on the qualifications of the selected applicant(s). Each section highlights the distinguishing characteristics between each position as applicable. 

Engineering Associate 

Grade: 8; Salary Range: $76,200 – $114,300 

FLSA: Non-exempt 

An Engineering Associate at the UFSWQD provides engineering support for projects, planning activities, operations & maintenance needs, and other tasks as assigned. As a member of the engineering team, the position helps develop collaborative solutions for system improvements, agency improvements, and special projects. The position requires moderate supervision and reports to either a Senior Engineer or Senior Supervising Engineer. 

Project assignments vary in size and complexity. Under supervision and direction from a licensed Professional Engineer, the Engineering Associate performs routine to intermediate engineering design, stormwater and geotechnical support for District projects, pump station management, development review support, project management, construction management, or other technical support related to the internal drainage or levee systems. Engineering Associates do most work assignments personally, although they may be assigned staff support and may be assigned task lead responsibility. District staff interact with local, state, and national elected officials and agency leadership periodically to help advance our work.  

Engineer 

Grade: 10; Salary Range: $92,300 - $138,400 

FLSA: Exempt 

The Engineer performs advanced professional project management, specialized engineering or development reviews in one of several recognized engineering specialties; serves as a project engineer on difficult, complex projects; applies advanced engineering knowledge to the solution of design, maintenance, improvement and construction problems pertaining to the District’s infrastructure. 

Incumbents of this class complete routine to intermediate engineering assignments requiring the use of judgment and initiative in developing solutions to problems, interpreting policies and determining work assignments. Incumbents are responsible for planning future system needs and developing, implementing and monitoring major construction and/or developer projects, from inception to completion. With manager approval, incumbents may stamp plans, reports, or specifications and may oversee, coordinate and review the work of internal or external professional and technical personnel. 

Engineering Associate:

• Develops project concepts using information gathered through research and investigation; performs necessary computations; does cost/benefit analysis; makes recommendations on design criteria; produces preliminary and final designs after approval; makes modifications in design if needed.
• Leads, evaluates, and completes development review proposals in a timely manner.
• Performs project management duties as assigned, including preparing cost estimates, serving as liaison between the District and contractor, checking progress of work, keeping project records, recording changes as they occur and making reports, operating district vehicles to travel to and from work sites as needed
• Inspects projects, equipment installations and construction work in progress to ensure compliance with contractual stipulations and all applicable codes and statutes.
• Operates computers to input or obtain data, research master files, analyze data, make calculations, prepare reports and maintain data files; runs prepared programs, modifies existing programs as needed for specific application and assists in writing new programs; helps develop and run computer modeling and management information system programs.
• Coordinates and integrates multi-phase design, development and construction projects with various regional, state or federal jurisdictions, as well as with special-interest groups, neighborhood associations, other stakeholders and the public
• Coordinate with District operations & maintenance staff regarding project management, construction support, and general engineering assistance

Engineer:

• Manage large-scale capital construction projects including levees, pump stations, facilities, watershed enhancements, pipes, and open channel conveyances in accordance with professional standards and practices; lead and develop project plans; coordinate staff and contractor resources.
• Review engineering reports, specifications, designs, plans, and other documents for compliance with District standards, operational preferences, constructability, accuracy, and completeness; ensure compatibility of cost-effective materials, equipment, building systems, and construction methods for proposed plans and specifications; conduct quality assurance and control.
• Coordinate with federal, state, county, and local agencies to ensure requirements, permits, notifications, and hearings are completed on schedule.
• Prepare and process required documentation for assigned projects; ensure maintenance of detailed records of project activities, findings, progress, and results; prepare design drawings, and specifications, engineering studies, technical reports, documentation, board communications, and other correspondence.
• Draft competitive bidding documents; assist in the bidding and awarding of contracts; administer contracts and approve payments to contractors.
• Maintain and advance District records including hydraulic models, geotechnical data, construction as-builts, and infrastructure condition assessments.
• Support district committees, development reviews, and strategic planning initiatives as assigned.
• Travel to and from work sites using district vehicles as needed

It is the duty of all employees to:  

• Perform other duties as assigned;
• Strive to achieve the Mission, Vision, and Values of the organization;
• Perform the duties assigned during an emergency;
• Complete required Incident Command System training within 90 days of hire;
• Remain within a 10-hour response time during the District’s Partial Emergency Activation or as specified by the Executive Director;
• Work well with community and be a strong ambassador for UFSWQD; Exemplify the workplace safety culture.
• Create a culture that promotes respect, inclusion, and equity for the diversity of people in our workforce and community.

Supervisory Duties:

Engineering Associate:

The incumbent manages discreet projects, organizes tasks for others, and reports on job progress to the supervisor. The position does not have the authority to hire or discipline staff. 

Engineer:  

The incumbent manages discreet projects, organizes tasks for others, and reports on job progress to the supervisor. The position does not have the authority to hire or discipline staff. This position may provide direct supervision to seasonal Engineering Intern positions. 

Knowledge of: 

Engineering Associate: 

• Civil engineering theory and practices related hydrology, hydraulics, geotechnical, and/or environmental specialties
• Theory, principles and practices of either civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, chemical or traffic engineering design and project management
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes pertinent to area of specialty
• Computer use, applications, languages and programming techniques pertaining to the work

Engineer: 

• Engineering theory, principles, practices, costs, construction techniques, trends, regulations, standards, equipment, and materials related to the area of specialization
• Knowledge of engineering administration, project and program planning and management, organization principles, and management fundamentals and methods.
• Federal, state and local laws, regulations and codes pertinent to the area of specialization
• Computer use, applications, languages and programming techniques pertaining to the area of specialization

Skill & Ability to: 

• Read and interpret various kinds of maps, architectural and engineering drawings, construction plans, and other technical materials and documents
• Communicate effectively in writing and orally with other District staff and other District partners (e.g. local cities, Port of Portland, US Army Corps of Engineers, etc.)

• Use specialized drafting, engineering, surveying or electronic tools and equipment
• Direct the work of assigned support and technical personnel following accepted management principles
• Speak in front of groups; cope with dissent and conflict
• Perform detailed work thoroughly, neatly, accurately, and efficiently
• Carry up to 50 pounds over uneven and sloped terrain

Education, Experience, and Special Requirements: 

Engineering Associate:  

• Bachelor's degree from an (American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field
• 1-2 years of directly related engineering experience
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination
• Valid state driver’s license

Engineer:  

• Bachelor's degree from an (American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field
• Professional Engineering License (PE)
• Four (4) years of related engineering experience
• Four (4) years of project management experience

Preferred education, skills & qualifications: 

Engineer Associate: 

• Master’s degree preferred
• Experience working in a public agency 
• Training or experience with emergency response protocols (e.g. Incident Command System)
• Formal contracting and project management processes experience
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal laws related to floodplain management and/or levee protection

Engineer: 

• 5 years of directly related engineering experience
• Master’s degree preferred
• Experience working in a public agency 
• Training or experience with emergency response protocols (e.g. Incident Command System)
• Familiarity with local, state, and federal laws related to floodplain and levee management

Working Environment: Most UFSWQD office staff work a primarily hybrid schedule, with occasional time in the office as determined by the Division Manager. UFSWQD reserves the right to change the remote work policy. Hours may vary but should fall between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. However, there are projects that may require time in the field. Employees are required to utilize the appropriate PPE for their time in the field. During flood fighting season, October 15th – May 15th, employees may be asked to perform levee and drainage inspections or serve in some capacity within the district’s Incident Management Team during emergencies. 

Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities. Please contact Tracy Olmedo at (503) 281-5675 or hiring@urbanfloodsafetyor.gov for any questions on accessibility or accommodation during the hiring process 

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for Veterans’ Preference when applying for UFSWQD positions. If you are a veteran and would like to request Veterans’ Preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents (Copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, DD Form 214 or 215; Disabled Veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran’s Disability Preference Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) with your application submittal in the attachments section. Documentation must be received by the closing date and time of this recruitment for the applicant to receive Veterans’ Preference. 

Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law. 

This position is not represented. 

Salary : $76,200 - $138,400