POSITION DESCRIPTION

DEPARTMENT: ENGINEERING

TITLE: WATER ENGINEER, P.E.

ANALYST: MIKE DUERSCH, COMP. AND BENEFITS COORDINATOR

DATE PREPARED/REVISED: APRIL 2008

DATE EVALUATED: APRIL 2008

POSITION PURPOSE:

This position is accountable for supporting the Water Department by providing technical engineering expertise for any capital improvement or maintenance projects the Water Department undertakes.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1. Provide engineering services to the Water Department including implementation of Master

     Plan projects, updates to Master Plan, and other project related planning and design activities. Prepare and stamp plans and specifications for inclusion in public bid proposals.

2. Ensure the public’s health, safety, and convenience by designing and constructing

     projects in accordance with the latest building codes, federal and state public

     drinking water system requirements, and proven engineering practices.

3. Ensure that capital and major maintenance projects are in compliance with plans and specifications by performing periodic inspections.

4. Contribute to timely and cost-effective completion of projects by preparing estimates, keeping records, reviewing and approving shop drawings, handling correspondence and otherwise administering contracts related to projects.

5. Ensure the delivery of water services are not interrupted during construction projects

     by making design consideration for existing facilities and future improvements and coordinating activities between the public, city, state, and federal officials, public utilities, and contractors.

6. Assist in keeping the public informed about construction projects by providing

     information from “as built” drawings and holding informational meetings and public

     hearings for proposed projects.

7. Effectively utilize and supplement the Water Department’s capital budgets by preparing detailed cost estimates for use by various city departments in planning their yearly

     capital expenditures.

8. Keep other jurisdictions informed as to the Water Department’s capital activities by preparing and applying for local, state, and federal permits as well as coordinating relocation of existing utilities affected by construction projects.

9. Read, understand, and implement various federal and state regulations involved with the design and construction of the city’s public drinking water infrastructure.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

This position reports to the City Engineer, as do other employees of the Engineering Department. The position works with Water Department supervisors to coordinate capital, construction, and maintenance projects.

The basic function of this position is to provide technical engineering support in the preparation of plans and specifications, construction inspection, and contract administration for the Water Department’s capital and maintenance projects.

The position is faced with typical challenges such as: encountering an unexpected obstruction during construction which requires making a design change in the field; handling a complaint by a citizen about a construction project which might require modification to the construction procedures and notification to the contractor about the change; designing and administering city’s water system improvement and maintenance projects. An example is a booster pumping facility where this position determines what field information is required; designs the project; prepares plans, specifications, and contracts for bids; inspects construction; administers the contract; prepares “as built” plans; performs start-up and testing procedures; prepares and administers project cost data; and provides a functional pumping facility for the Water Department. This position is will be called upon to review technical plans and specifications prepared by consulting engineers and to work with consulting engineers on designated projects.

A majority (approximately 70 percent) of the time spent by this position is in an office environment with the balance spent out-of-doors by construction sites. Visits to these sites may be made during inclement weather and may involve working around heavy equipment, and require physical exertion.

This position requires State of Idaho registration as a licensed Professional Civil Engineer.

This position requires knowledge of several technical disciplines in the civil engineering field, such as; math, surveying, hydraulics, soil mechanics, etc. The position also requires a good knowledge of technical writing, public relations skills, knowledge of surveying equipment, scientific calculators and computers. The position must be knowledgeable in the use of the GIS system for project design and in order to access information. This position must be familiar and have the ability to perform water system hydraulic modeling. Most problems encountered in this job have unique characteristics and must be solved on an individual basis using the general principles learned in civil engineering. Each solution must be evaluated as to its cost effectiveness, while always keeping the public’s safety and convenience in mind.

Direction is provided to this position by the City Engineer. In most cases the position is given a general idea of the magnitude, intent, and timing of the project, and is free to decide how the work is to be organized. Work is usually reviewed upon completion of plans and specifications, before the bid is let, and again at the end of construction. The position has authority to make engineering field decisions but the City Engineer must approve any change orders or variations in the scope of a project.

This position directs the activities of administrative support personnel, draftsmen,

testing consultants, surveyors, contractors and engineers in training, when their

activities are needed on specific projects.

APPROVAL SIGNATURE:

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City Engineer Date