City Engineer

Summary

The City Engineer performs professional engineering work by applying advanced engineering and supervisory principles across various disciplines, including civil, structural, water resources, traffic, and contract administration. Responsibilities include planning, developing, programming, designing, and implementing municipal projects. This role requires the application of a comprehensive range of engineering practices and principles to support the city's infrastructure and development goals.

Essential Functions

Capital Improvement Project Management

• Manages various capital improvement projects from conceptual design through construction, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation.
• Prepares and oversees the creation of plans, specifications, and cost estimates for bidding and construction phases.
• Conducts project inspections to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, and construction standards.

Bid & Contract Administration

• Prepares bid documents, evaluates contractor proposals, and develops recommendations for award of contracts to the Board of Aldermen.
• Negotiates contracts and amendments within defined budget constraints.
• Administers construction contracts, including processing pay estimates, change orders, and resolution of requests for information.

Technical Review and Compliance

• Reviews and approves engineering plans and specifications for municipal projects, ensuring compliance with city codes, ordinances, and adopted engineering standards.
• Coordinates plan reviews with utilities and agencies to resolve conflicts and obtain required permits and approvals.
• Oversees the review of subdivision, commercial, and residential development plans for compliance with city codes, including water, sewer, and storm drainage systems.

Coordination & Communication

• Collaborates with federal, state, county, and utility agencies to facilitate project approvals and permitting.
• Coordinates with consultants, contractors, and internal staff to resolve issues and achieve project goals.
• Provides engineering recommendations and technical support to Community Development staff, other city departments, and the public.

Inspection & Quality Control

• Supervises inspections of construction materials and installations within the city's right-of-way to ensure quality control.
• Inspects "as-built" stormwater detention basins and drainage easements for compliance with approved plans and reports.
• Directs staff and contractors to ensure adherence to city standards and safety policies.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

• Manages regulatory compliance for the city’s MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) Permit, including annual reporting.
• Prepares and updates the city’s 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan and oversees the annual street maintenance program.

Development Oversight

• Reviews impact fee assessments for new developments and processes related permits.
• Evaluates stormwater and traffic reports submitted by developers, providing comments and approving final construction plans.

Traffic Studies & Safety

• Assists in the preparation and administration of traffic studies and surveys to address transportation and traffic management needs.
• Provides guidance on traffic-related design elements and solutions.

Public Interaction

• Responds to engineering and drainage inquiries from the public in person, by phone, or in writing.
• Assigns staff to investigate complaints and issues or handles matters personally.

Leadership & Team Collaboration

• Supervises Engineering Inspector/Technician and collaborates with City inspectors, to ensure enforcement of construction standards and project goals.
• Oversees the work of the city’s on-call engineering firm to ensure adherence to city ordinances and engineering practices.

Planning & Zoning Support

• Attends Planning and Zoning Commission and Board of Aldermen meetings to provide technical expertise and recommendations.
• Prepares memos, ordinances, and intergovernmental agreements related to engineering projects.

Safety & Risk Management

• Promotes a culture of safety by adhering to city safety policies and practices, reporting unsafe conditions, and ensuring compliance with the City’s Safety Handbook.

Essential Knowledge, Experience, and Ability

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field.
• At least four (4) years of experience as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT).
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Missouri.
• Any combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job and meets licensing requirements.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years supervisory experience in the public sector
• Master’s degree in Engineering or related field

Essential Education, Certification, and/or Licenses

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills Knowledge of:

• Advanced civil engineering principles and practices related to design, construction, and project management, including municipal infrastructure.
• Impact fee policies and procedures, as well as methods for assessing and updating impact fees.
• Engineering plan review processes and quality control procedures for public and private development projects.
• Applicable municipal, state, federal, and local codes, standards, and regulations related to engineering design, construction, permitting, and contract administration.
• Industry standards for design and construction of capital improvement projects, including water, sewer, storm drainage, traffic, and street infrastructure.
• Techniques for regulatory compliance, including MS4 (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System) regulations and reporting.
• Project planning, budgeting, and organizational skills to ensure effective execution of multiple concurrent projects.
• Research, analysis, and technical review methods for engineering designs, cost estimates, and reports.
• Effective grant writing techniques and alternative funding strategies for city infrastructure projects.
• Operation and application of standard office equipment, personal computers, and job-related software such as GIS, CAD, and project management tools.
• Principles of traffic studies, stormwater management, and sustainable infrastructure design.
• English grammar, spelling, and punctuation for effective communication and documentation.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively and professionally with City staff, developers, consultants, elected officials, and the general public.
• Coordinate, manage, and monitor multiple complex projects, ensuring quality and adherence to schedules, budgets, and applicable regulations.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and resolve conflicts during stressful situations or public interactions.
• Provide clear and actionable feedback on engineering plans, reports, and construction projects.
• Conduct thorough inspections of construction projects and evaluate compliance with approved plans and standards.
• Compile, analyze, and transmit data in reports, memos, ordinances, and presentations for various stakeholders, including the Board of Aldermen.
• Respond courteously and effectively to inquiries from citizens, news media, developers, and contractors regarding engineering and drainage issues.
• Interpret and apply oral and written policies, procedures, and regulations effectively.
• Make sound, well-reasoned decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, and established best practices.
• Operate standard office equipment and personal computers with proficiency in applicable software for project management and communication.
• Operate a motor vehicle to inspect project sites and attend meetings.
• Perform diverse duties with precision and efficiency under time-sensitive deadlines.
• Exhibit integrity, creativity, and resourcefulness in solving engineering challenges and meeting project objectives.

 Skills in:

• Effective public relations and stakeholder engagement to build trust and collaboration.
• Self-motivation and proactive problem-solving in managing engineering projects.
• Technical writing, including clear, accurate, and professional use of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Analyzing and negotiating contracts, amendments, and project-related agreements.
• Utilizing engineering and planning tools, such as GIS, CAD, and hydraulic modeling software.

Supervision Received

• The work is performed under the supervision of the Community Development Director

Supervision Exercised

• Direct supervision of the Engineering Inspector/Technician

Work Environment

• The primary duties of the position are performed in an office environment
• Some fieldwork may be required

Essential Physical Abilities

• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person and on a telephone.
• Sufficient visual acuity or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions, and to review, evaluate, and prepare a variety of written documents and text materials.

Background check and pre-employment drug screen conducted prior to appointment