Associate Engineer

Associate Engineer: $102,400 - $133,121 Annually

ASSOCIATE ENGINEER CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: This classification is the entry to mid-level of a professional engineering job series. Positions at this level perform increasingly diverse and complex professional duties in support of Encina’s engineering programs and projects, receive instruction and assistance, and have knowledge of the concepts, practices, procedures, and policies of the assigned function.

Under the direction of the Engineering Services Manager, performs a variety of engineering duties in project planning, design, construction, operations, and compliance of wastewater facilities, infrastructure, system and programs; oversees development of engineering designs, including plan, specification, and contract review; provides project management support for assigned projects to support Encina’s Capital Improvements Program (CIP); researches a variety of engineering and/or compliance issues; compiles and analyzes data, and prepares reports; provides technical support to engineering and management staff; customarily and regularly exercises discretion, independent judgment, and decision making; and performs duties as assigned. This position requires interaction with, and responds to questions and inquiries from, the general public, developers, contractors, engineering professionals and Member Agency staff primarily regarding CIP projects.

Exercises no direct supervision of staff. May plan and supervise the work of contractors, consultants, and/or temporary staff.

Examples of Duties

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.

• Promotes Encina’s Mission, Vision and Values.
• Exhibits all leadership traits and ethical behaviors required of California local government staff.
• Provides day-to-day professionalism to ensure a high performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports Encina’s mission, vision, and values.
• Assists in planning, organizing, and directing Encina’s CIP related administrative activities.
• Serves as Staff Engineer to assist with the design development of Encina projects. Understands scope of work; reviews proposals; conducts meetings and manages consultant work product.
• Meets with consultants, other agencies’ representatives and other Encina departments to resolve problems relevant to assigned design development projects; reviews and approves progress payments from engineering consulting firms and contractors.
• Provides direction in the preparation of studies and reports on rehabilitation of existing facilities and on future projects.
• Prepares engineering calculations.
• Prepares, maintains, and communicates project schedules and financial tracking.
• Participates in the bid and proposal process for capital improvement projects, facilities equipment, and professional services agreements; assists with the preparation of detailed drawings and technical specifications and develops the scope of work; participates in the submittal process; reviews consultant proposals and recommends vendors; drafts staff reports and supplemental documentation for approval by the Board of Directors.
• Performs basic project management functions for various engineering projects and ensures compliance with contract specifications and regulatory permits; monitors the project schedule and budget; provides regular status reports on project progress; analyzes and negotiates change order requests and prepares and issues field change orders; facilitates project meetings and produces minutes.
• Participates in construction management activities to ensure projects are constructed in accordance with contract documents, permits, and relevant codes.
• Performs site visits and conducts inspections of wastewater treatment facilities and active construction sites.
• Coordinates and participates in commissioning activities, acceptance testing, and reliability acceptance testing; actively troubleshoots issues as they arise.
• Monitors, reviews and interprets the impacts of new and changing federal, state and local engineering/construction regulations on Encina’s capital and rehabilitation projects.
• Develops, implements, and monitors tactical plan objectives that support the organization’s Strategic Plan and Mission.
• Assists with the development, updating, and revision of long-range planning studies, feasibility studies, master plans and other technical studies related to capital improvements.
• Performs project and policy analysis, which includes: conducting research; identifying and raising pertinent issues; summarizing findings; presenting results; reviewing, writing, and analyzing policies and procedures; administering assigned programs, agreements, and/or projects.
• Represents and makes presentations on behalf of Encina to regulatory agencies, the public, contractors and consultants.
• Acts as point of contact on capital improvement issues providing information and assistance to the Authority Board of Directors and its subcommittees, General Manager, Assistant General Manager, Directors, Managers, and other interested parties as appropriate.
• Performs administrative tasks for the organization as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Applicable federal, state and local laws; codes, ordinances, and regulatory requirements as they pertain to the water and wastewater industry.
• Modern and advanced principles and practices of civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, environmental, structural, and/or control systems engineering.
• Basic principles of project planning, management and budgeting.
• Basic principles of contract negotiation and/or contract administration.
• Principles and practices of engineering design and plan review and analysis.
• Principles and practices of asset management.
• Principles and practices of construction and project management including budget and contract management.
• Operations of wastewater management systems, including air pollution, solids management, odor control, and flow regimes.
• Principles of air dispersion, fate-transport, interceptor odor, and health risk analysis modeling.
• Computer-aided drafting (CAD) concepts and applications.
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis.
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to engineering work.
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly and collaboratively.
• Effective leadership methods, principles of supervision and training, modern office procedures, methods and equipment including word processing, spreadsheets and database software programs.
• Principles and practices of budgeting and maintenance of public records; effective management and supervision concepts and techniques; and demonstrated experience using such knowledge.
• Relevant occupational health and safety regulations and guidelines, safe work methods and safety practices relevant to the work.

Demonstrated Ability to:

• Conduct engineering research projects, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare technical staff reports.
• Analyze and make sound recommendations on engineering design, construction safety, regulatory, water quality, and management issues.
• Prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies and other written materials and exercise sound, expert, independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with local public agencies, contractors, and construction personnel as well as with Encina managers, member agency managers, board members, employees, and the public.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Perform complex mathematical and engineering computations with precision.
• Effectively represent the department and Encina in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, various business, professional, regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Operate a motor vehicle and travel to various Encina sites, projects, and/or meetings.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, legal, and procedural guidelines.
• Comply with safe work practices and procedures in the workplace.
• Provide a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Encina staff.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.