Assistant County Engineer

Job Description

Description

Under the direction of the County Engineer, the Assistant County Engineer performs technical and complex work in the design, inspection, plan preparation, review and estimating for County maintenance and construction projects. Performs contract administration and project management functions that include overseeing the administration and disbursement of road and other state/federal funds for improvements related to roads, bridges, culverts, and other capital construction projects.  Provides work direction and assistance to technical engineering and project staff.  Work is performed according to County and department standard practices, and in compliance with statutory requirements, in order to provide safe, economical, and environmentally sound public road facilities and services.

Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

• Collaborates and provides technical advice to the Public Works Director/County Engineer on proposals and problems in the Public Works operations and to the County Commissioners, Administrator, Prosecuting Attorney, and Sheriff’s Deputies regarding laws and regulations pertaining to County Road operations as delegated.
• Identifies traffic hazards and recommends corrections on road systems, ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and legal requirements.
• Plans, organizes, monitors, and reports on major road construction or maintenance projects including specifications, construction schedules, environmental impact studies, and designs and certifies routine pavement management program.
• Evaluates the need for contractor services or agreements with other municipalities and manages the process according to department and County standard practices.
• Develops concepts and studies to support long-range plans of public facilities expansion and improvement of Road division services to the County.
• Responsible for development, application, implementation, and recordkeeping of grants and oversees the development of complex rate and cost-of-service analysis.
• Pursues self-development and continuing personal development of skills and knowledge by attending ongoing educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks.
• Assists with planning, organizing, and directing of work assignments/schedules, evaluates progress, and recommends shifting priorities for the programs, plans, requirements, and administration of services for the Roads and Engineering division and assisting in the Public Works Department, in accordance with related codes, ordinances, regulations, laws, and County guidelines, ensuring work is completed in a safe, efficient, and timely manner.
• Develops, implements, interprets, monitors, evaluates, and makes improvements of the Engineering and Road Department operational standards, processes, policies, procedures, work rules, and guidelines to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
• Participates in the Public Works staff selection activities and provides recommendations in candidate selection, promotion, and discipline.
• Evaluates, identifies, coordinates, or provides training or development activities as needed to enhance employee’s effectiveness.
• Assists in the development, administration, and monitoring of an accurate, complex, realistic, and fiscally sound budget and fiscal operations, including processing payroll for the Roads and
• Engineering divisions, and collaborates on Public Works Department fiscal operations, including cash flow needs, investment decisions, and approving expenditures, ensuring alignment with department goals and objectives and in compliance with Franklin County standard practice and statutory requirements.
• Communicates information, collaborates on projects, and makes recommendations representing the Roads and Engineering division and/or the Public Works Department services and budget in Franklin County Board of Commissioners meetings and meetings with individuals, other directors, elected officials, and/or the general public, according to division, department, and County standard practices.
• In the absence of the Public Works Director/County Engineer, or at their request, serves as staff representative and represents the Public Works Department, approves decisions, requests, expenditure, and recommendations according to department guidelines and policies.
• Monitors, reports, interprets, communicates, and recommends, makes, and/or leads changes to policy, procedures, or programs due to new trends, innovations, federal, state and local rules, laws, regulations, legislation, codes, and ordinances as they relate to the County Engineering or Public Works Department operations.
• Oversees the creation, development, and maintenance of systems and records including files, lists, logs, and other recordkeeping systems utilizing computerized and manual systems that provide for proper evaluation, control, and documentation of assigned operations according to department and County standard practices. Ensures records are accurate and available for annual audit.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Expert knowledge of modern principles, methods, and practices in transportation services, road and drainage systems, public contract administration, funding application, contract negotiation, engineering, and development of infrastructure facilities and capital projects.
• Expert knowledge of Franklin County business and financial acumen and the application and interpretation of Franklin County policies and procedures and federal, state, and local rules, laws, regulations, legislation, codes, and ordinances as they relate to area(s) of assignment according to division, department, and County standard practices.
• Expert knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques and related tools, equipment, and technology as they relate to area(s) of assignment.
• Proficient knowledge of principles and practices of management as applied to supervision, training, performance evaluations, program planning, staffing, budgeting, coordination, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, operational needs, and staff development.
• Proficient knowledge of principles and practices of governmental fiscal management including budget preparation, expenditure control, and sound recordkeeping.
• Expert project management skills including creating scope and sequence, communication, leadership (providing direction, vision, coaching team, sound judgment, issue and conflict resolution, effective decision making), negotiation, team building, use of project management tools and techniques, organizational savvy, personal organization, risk management, and breadth in administrative services and judicial processes.
• Expert skills in proactive troubleshooting, decision making, and resolving issues or problems by analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, interpreting compliance documentation, projecting consequences of proposed actions, and implementing recommendations in support of goals.
• Proficient time management and mental and physical organization skills that support the ability to focus, have clarity, and use strategy to fulfill a variety of tasks successfully.
• Proficient computer skills in Word, Outlook, and the ability to learn and develop proficient skills in the current Countywide resource planning, public works accounting and resource management software, engineering PDF, and in GIS software. Expert computer skills in Excel and the internet for research.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgment and discretion and maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and/or confidential information.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely and to express ideas and recommendations effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability and willingness to establish and maintain communication and working relationships with peers, representatives from other agencies, vendors, public officials, and the general public using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.
• Ability to lead the department or division by remaining open to new ideas and approaches, managing change, solving problems and making decisions, managing politics and influencing others, taking risks and innovating, setting vision and strategy, managing the work, demonstrating commitment to staff development, communicating information and expectations often and openly, enhancing business skills and knowledge, understanding and navigating the organization, and creating a feeling of succeeding and failing together.
• Ability to effectively present information, findings, proposals, training, or other information to a variety of audiences by clearly articulating, engaging the audience, assessing the needs of the audience, and using appropriate materials to help audience understand the message.
• Ability to identify and take advantage of opportunities, organize and prioritize several ongoing and frequently changing assignments to meet deadlines, and communicate changes and progress to staff, remaining calm during emergency situations.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work may be performed in the following environmental conditions:

• constantly: in an office environment,
• occasionally: outside in various weather conditions, near moving mechanical parts, around fumes or airborne particles, near grease, oil, vibration, water, dirt, dust, and shavings.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate, a typical office environment and occasionally loud when on active construction project sites.

 

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The person in this position must be able to spend the following amount of time in an activity:

• constantly: sitting for extended periods of time, talk or hear, and use hands and/or fingers to handle, feel, or operate equipment or tools.
• occasionally: stand or walk for extended periods of time and reach with hands and arms.
• carry or transport up to 25 pounds occasionally.
• have peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, and have close vision (1-20 inches) and distance vision (20 feet or more).

Typical Qualifications
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
•Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
•Five years professional level experience in the design and construction of roads and bridges, water and sewer, traffic engineering, and public administration.
OR
•Any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
•Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
•Employment at Franklin County is contingent upon the results of a background check and eligibility for coverage by the County’s liability insurance carrier. Depending upon the position, background checks may include personal and professional references, social security verification, education and professional licensing verification, financial history, and criminal history.
•Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Washington, or the ability to obtain within 6 months of employment.
•The ability to renew civil engineer license as required by state.
•Valid driver’s license if driving a vehicle for County business.

Supplemental Information
OTHER DUTIES DISCLAIMER
The statements herein describe the principal functions of this job, level of knowledge and skills typically required, scope of responsibility, work requirements and working conditions, but are not all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties and Franklin County, Washington reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties, and assign other duties as necessary, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.