Engineering Technician I/II/III

Job Description

Summary
The Engineering Technician series performs engineering technician assignments for projects and programs relating to the development, design, construction, inspection, and administration for matters such as bridge, storm drainage, surface water management, engineering, habitat restoration, stormwater, or road projects.  The Engineering Technician III functions at a senior engineering technician level, regularly completing complex technician assignments and regularly assisting other employees with related tasks.  Positions are assigned to a specific division or section within Public Works but may be assigned tasks across divisions/sections as needed.

– Salary upon hire is step 1 through 3 ($29.87 to $31.98 per hour) for a Engineering Technician I, dependent upon qualifications.

– Salary upon hire is step 1 through 3 ($31.98 to $34.26 per hour) for a Engineering Technician II, dependent upon qualifications. 

– Salary upon hire is step 1 through 3 ($34.26 to $36.65 per hour) for a Engineering Technician III, dependent upon qualifications. 

– Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 8 total steps (top step Tech I $37.91; top step Tech II $40.66; top step Tech III $43.57). Engineering Technician I is range 13 of salary schedule, Engineering Technician II is range 14 of salary schedule, Engineering Technician III is range 15 of salary schedule Public Works (AFSCME).   

Essential Functions
Assists in acquisition of County, State, and Federal permits as required for assigned projects.

Performs engineering tasks, including but not limited to drawings, plans, specifications, and cost estimates, on assigned public works projects such as roadways, pedestrian paths, bridges, solid waste sites, storm drain utilities, marine structures, etc.

Performs layout drafting requiring reduction of field notes and the application of survey information, including base mapping, overlay preparation, storm and sanitary drains, road designs, site plans, presentation layouts, and publication mockups.

Performs a variety of design engineering tasks on assigned projects such as roads, pump stations, storm sewers, culvert installation, and watershed studies, and in the preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates for assigned projects.

Performs construction and “as-built” inspections by overseeing assigned public works projects to assure conformance to plans and specifications.  Processes inspection records with appropriate departmental personnel.

Performs stormwater and hydraulic modeling in support of County projects.

Oversees work of other employees and/or contractors to assure conformance with contract and county specifications, documents and requirements.  Resolves conflicts between contractors, owners, and other parties within scope of authority.

Prepares draft preliminary scopes, draft project specifications, and draft cost estimates for assigned Public Works projects.

Coordinates project needs with assigned personnel and with the contractor as appropriate.

Assists the front office personnel in answering project related and technical questions.

Investigates drainage complaints, coordinates response and works with other Public Works staff to resolve drainage issues.

Prepares and reviews project documentation including right-of-entry, right-of-way and easement documents, public notices, and permit applications.

When on survey assignment, measure distances, horizontal angles and elevations to establish horizontal and vertical control points through skilled use of survey equipment.

Performs a variety of related engineering office or field tasks to gather, analyze and record data, generate reports, and otherwise assist other employees.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:
May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Minimum Qualifications
Engineering Technician I: 

Completion of a two (2)-year vocational course in Civil Engineering Technology or two (2) years of college pre-engineering courses, or;
Two (2) years’ experience in surveying, drafting, engineering, development review, surface water management, or construction inspection, or;
Any combination that provides a total of two (2) years of training to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the work.

Engineering Technician II: 

Completion of a two (2)-year vocational course in Civil Engineering Technology or two (2) years of college pre-engineering courses and two (2) years of experience in surveying, drafting, engineering, development review, surface water management, transportation planning, right-of-way, or construction inspection, or;
Any combination that provides a total of four (4) years of training to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the work.

Engineering Technician III: 

Completion of a two (2)-year vocational course in Civil Engineering Technology or two (2) years of college pre-engineering courses and five (5) years’ experience in surveying, drafting, engineering, development review, surface water management, transportation planning, right-of-way, or construction inspection experience, or;
A four (4) year Civil Engineering degree with three (3) years of the above listed experience, or;
Any combination that provides a total of seven (7) years of training to acquire the necessary skills, knowledge and abilities to perform the work.
Registration as an EIT preferred.
A minimum of three (3) years of Civil3D experience.

*Reference the Engineering Technician Progression Matrix for advancement from an Engineering Technician I to II and Engineering Technician II to III. Available upon request.

Requires the knowledge of:

• Specific requirements depend on specialty functions but also include the requirements of Engineering Tech I and Tech II and knowledge of applicable State and County policies, laws, ordinances and codes.
• Practices used to control erosion and sediment, engineering principles relative to the design and construction related to hydraulics/storm water and flood control.
• Road right-of-way, road vacation, and annexation policies, laws, ordinances, and codes.
• Computer aided drafting and engineering design techniques as related to construction and public works projects, engineering construction terms and methods and extensive knowledge of surveying, and ability to interpret and communicate engineering plans and specifications.

Requires the ability to:

• Deal effectively with consulting engineers, contractors, owners, other jurisdictions, utility companies, and the general public.
• Proficiently use the Microsoft Office suite including, but not limited to, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Microsoft Windows.
• Proficiently use engineering drawing and design software including, but not limited to, AutoCAD and Civil3D.

Licenses and/or Certifications:

Washington State driver’s license

 WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
70% of work is performed in an office environment. 30% of work is on project sites with exposure to varying weather and terrain conditions. Must be able to stand or walk on uneven terrain for extended periods, climb, lift equipment or samples up to 40 pounds, and have sufficient hand-eye coordination to operate computers and surveying equipment.

Hazards:
Physical hazards on-site may include traffic and construction equipment.