The Assistant City Engineer assists the City Engineer with overall planning, direction, and operation of the Engineering Division including the development and construction of capital and maintenance projects associated with municipal utilities, traffic, streets, and other City facilities. The Assistant City Engineer works with other City departments, citizens and outside agencies regarding engineering, construction, and related activities. The incumbent provides supervision, oversight, and guidance to Engineering Division staff and has the authority to act in the absence of and exercise the duties and responsibilities of the City Engineer as necessary. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general direction of the City Engineer and is subject to review by conferences, reports submitted, and observation of results achieved.

This list may not include all tasks and/or knowledge which may be expected of the employee, nor does it cover all specific duties which may be required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Assists with the planning, implementation, direction, and management of the division to achieve the strategic objectives of the department and the City in an efficient and effective manner. Manages, leads, directs, and schedules employees in their work activities in alignment with division/department goals and plans.
• Organizes and directs daily operations of staff by performing administrative duties, overseeing programs, projects, and personnel as it relates to construction and maintenance. Controls work through inspections of projects underway and completed.
• Evaluates employee performance against clearly defined standards and functions, operational and developmental goals.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships, strategic partnerships, and contacts with community representatives, external agencies, and other organizations to respond as a representative of the City.
• Advises, trains and coaches’ staff on safety, proper work procedures and technical issues as appropriate, recommending and directing staff to appropriate training as needed.
• Provides for contract management oversight to ensure successful project completion in a timely manner that is cost effective. Works with contractors and staff to develop and complete punch lists, progress payments, provide for consistent enforcement of standards, and resolve disputes.
• Ensures City records and archives are kept current with as-built records and provides for updates and corrections to the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using tools such as Global Positioning System (GPS) mapping or survey equipment to provide accurate information.
• Assists the City Engineer in the development and administration of the Engineering Division annual budget including capital improvement funding and forecast of funds needed for staffing.
• Reviews, maintains and enforces City codes and standards.
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.
• Communicates effectively with direct reports and other City staff, City stakeholders including, but not limited to contractors, citizens, and other agencies. Exercises the authority to make recommendations concerning employment, dismissal, reprimands and related actions to the City Engineer and Director in consultation with Human Resources Director.
• Responds to, documents, and resolves complaints from City stakeholders.

General Skill Levels:

Knowledge of:

• Modern principles, practices, methods, materials, and techniques of civil engineering as applied to private development projects and public works, utilities, and construction projects.
• Modern principles, practices, methods, materials, and techniques of traffic engineering.
• Hydraulics, water supply, wastewater engineering, and drainage.
• Highway standards and specifications used in public works projects applied to municipal type civil engineering projects.
• Principles and practices of land surveying and mapping.
• City, county, state, and federal regulations as they pertain to the division and department.
• Principles of management, supervision, training, performance evaluation, coaching and mentoring.
• Principles and practices of program administration.
• City ordinances, budgets, and purchasing procedures and the ability to apply same.
• Report preparation methods and techniques.
• Computer spreadsheet, word processing, email and other programs related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Operating standards of a variety of equipment used in civil engineering.

Skills in:

• Communicating effectively, clearly, concisely, and professionally in writing and verbally with other employees, engineers, contractors, outside agencies and members of the general public.
• Working with consultants and consulting teams to develop and manage projects.
• Supervising, directing, coaching, mentoring, and training direct reports.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Analyzing and resolving operational situations and problems.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with minimum direction.
• Identifying individuals with the technical and interpersonal skills to lead crews and projects.
• Utilizing mathematics required for engineering work, budget, and report preparation.

Ability to:

• Work independently under general guidance.
• Make responsible decisions in accordance with applicable laws, established policies, and procedures.
• Translate standards, protocols, and procedures into operational practices to obtain desired results.
• Share responsibilities and delegate responsibilities as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with direct reports, other City staff, public officials, external entities, external professionals, and the public.
• Explain complicated technical matters in non-technical terms.
• Direct, appraise and discipline staff in a respectful and constructive manner.
• Coach and mentor subordinate staff.
• Plan, layout, and supervise the work of subordinates engaged in various assignments.
• Anticipate personnel, equipment, and material requirements to complete various programs.
• Adapt to changing situations and/or priorities.
• Read, analyze, and interpret professional reports and studies, technical procedures, professional guidelines, and government regulations as appropriate to area of responsibility.
• Organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate engineering problems and provide practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Visually assess work products in an office setting and in the field.
• Prepare detailed reports, correspondence, protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Use mathematics required for engineering work and in preparing budgets and reports.
• Facilitate public meetings to gather input from various stakeholders.
• Stay current with professional standards, think critically, solve problems efficiently, and manage time well.
• Make complex engineering computations quickly and accurately.
• To work with and evaluate the work of traffic engineering consultants.
• Attend meetings outside of normal office/work hours.
• Work with confidential information.

• Interpret and explain City policies and procedures.

Education/Experience:

• Required - Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering field from an Accredited Board of Technology, Inc. (ABET)/Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) accredited program. A degree in Agriculture, General or Systems Engineering may be considered depending on the courses taken and major emphasis. Minimum of 10 years of increasingly responsible civil engineering experience, including five years of administrative and supervisory responsibility. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted.
• Preferred - Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration or Business Administration. Experience working with the overall planning, direction and operation of an Engineering division including the planning, design and construction of capital and maintenance projects associated with utilities, traffic, streets, and other City facilities.

Certificates and Licenses:

• Possess or obtain a valid State of Illinois Class D driver’s license within fifteen (15) days of employment.
• Active Illinois Professional Engineer (P.E.) license, or active registration in another state with the ability to reciprocate within six months of beginning employment, or ability to obtain license within twelve (12) months of employment.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions: Reasonable accommodations may be available to assist individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

• Work is performed in both office and field environments. Requires traveling to other locations for meetings and attending meetings outside of normal work hours. Work includes visually inspecting work products in office and field settings. The physical demands on this position may include lifting and manipulation of heavy objects, primarily for demonstration and training, but in most cases physical activity is of an oversight nature. Oversight activities may take place in dusty, moist, or humid conditions and in a range of outdoor temperatures.