The City of Santa Maria seeks a Principal Civil Engineer to join the Utilities Department.

THE DEPARTMENT
The Utilities Department provides water, sewer, refuse collection, and disposal services to the growing City of Santa Maria, California, located on the beautiful Central Coast of California. The mission of the Utilities Department is to provide efficient utility services through the use of progressive innovation, excellent customer service, and the wise use of public resources for the long-term benefit of the community. 

IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate for this position is a skilled Professional Engineer with extensive experience in managing and delivering large-scale capital projects within the Utilities sector, particularly in Solid Waste. They will have a proven track record in the design and construction of projects supporting solid waste disposal with strong organization and project management skills, with an emphasis on integrating innovative solutions and ensuring project success and efficiency.

REQUIRED SUBMITTALS 

1. Online application
2. Letter of interest that directly aligns your background and experience with the specifications outlined in the Ideal Candidate Statement. (Submit through online application) 

DUTIES

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization.  This position:

• Assumes responsibility over two to four program areas (Construction Management, Development and Planning, Traffic, Capital Projects) and provides vision and direction, motivates and oversees staff, participates in the development and administration of the division/section budget, and in Public Works takes on the duties of the Director of Public Works as assigned. 
• Develops and reviews policies, procedures and strategic plans that fulfill City goals and ensures compliance with and conformance to the requirements of the subdivision map act and the municipal code, sound engineering practices, neighborhood and citywide traffic, transit, and transportation solutions, roadway, water and sewer plans, solid waste infrastructure and plans, and area-wide drainage plans.
• Leads, oversees, and performs a variety of advanced level professional duties and responsibilities involved in the research, planning, design, and construction of various engineering projects, serves as project manager on complex projects.
• Represents the department and the City in meetings with the general public, governmental agencies, transportation commissions, planning commission, community groups, various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, policymakers, lending institutions, etc.
• Positions assigned to Development and Planning may be responsible for:
• Reviewing development proposals, facilitating review of construction plans, easements and subdivision maps, supervising update of public infrastructure records, coordinating the issuance of encroachment permits and responding to public requests for engineering data.
• Checking plans to determine compliance with applicable codes, checking engineering methods used in project design and verifying accuracy of engineering calculations.
• Providing technical support to construction services, making technical engineering decisions and establishing technical criteria and standards.
• Representing the Public Works Department before the City Planning Commission and/or City Council.
• Building relationships with the private engineering sector.
• Employing and coordinating consultants to accomplish tasks.
• Positions assigned to Capital Projects may be responsible for:
• Developing the capital improvement program and serving as the project manager on all City capital projects.
•  Supervising the design on a limited number of in-house design projects.
• Employing and supervising private consultants.
• Pursuing funding sources.
• Providing technical support for City operations including but not limited to water, wastewater, solid waste/landfill, recreation and parks, police, fire, community development, and library.
• Acting as professional staff advisor to policymakers serving on various regional planning/enforcement boards.
• Positions assigned to Construction Management may be responsible for:
• Assigning, supervising, and evaluating the work of Senior Civil Engineers and other engineering personnel.
• Acquiring and supervising the services of consultants to survey, inspect, or manage City construction projects.
• Negotiating change orders, manages project budgets, facilitating solutions to construction issues and negotiating with other departments and agencies regarding construction issues.
• Positions assigned to Traffic may be responsible for:
• Coordinating advance transportation planning, including traffic studies and surveys, developing and reviewing traffic control plans, and analyzing accident sites and providing possible solutions for accident reduction.
• Meeting with the public to resolve neighborhood and citywide traffic issues and coordinating all meetings of the City Traffic Committee.
• Providing transportation staff support to the City, other governmental agencies, and technical transportation committees.
• Positions assigned Utilities may support all program areas (except Traffic), supervise staff, and manage consultants.
• Scope of assigned area will depend on departmental structure and is at the discretion of the department director. 
• Upholds the values of the organization and has strong customer service orientation.
• Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION: Principal Civil Engineer

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ideally, five years of progressively responsible professional work experience in the field of civil engineering or a closely related field; and 
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in civil or mechanical engineering or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession, such as: 
• Engineering design, construction practices, drafting, inspection, and surveying.
• Physics, chemistry, and mathematics as applied to civil engineering.
• Street maintenance practices and procedures.
• Local, state and federal regulations pertaining to the construction principles and practices of engineering as applied to service activities.
• Local, state and federal regulations related to public works systems. 
• Effective management, supervision, evaluation and training.
• Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
• Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Microsoft Office Suite (or equivalent). 
• Use computer and other office equipment effectively. 
• Required licenses and/or certifications associated with the assignment, such as:
• Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State Board of Registration for Civil Engineers.  
• Registration as a Licensed Land Surveyor is desired. 
• Registration as a Licensed Traffic Engineer is desired.

DESIRED CORE COMPETENCIES

Middle Manager:
Incumbents should have a solid foundation of Individual Contributor and Front-line Supervisor core competencies identified by the organization, as well as the following core competencies identified as essential for Middle Manager: 

• Talent Development - Effective performers keep a continual eye on the talent pool to monitor skills and needs of team members. They expand staff skills through training, coaching, and development. They evaluate and articulate present performance and future potential.
• Organizing & Planning - Effective performers have strong organizing and planning skills that allow them to be highly productive and efficient, manage time wisely, and effectively prioritize multiple competing tasks.
• Organization Knowledge - Effective performers understand the workings of a municipal organization, formal and informal policies and structures, and know "how the place works."
• Relationship Building - Effective performers understand that a primary factor in success is establishing and maintaining productive relationships. They interact with people and are good at it. They devote appropriate time and energy to establishing and maintaining networks.
• Results Orientation - Effective performers maintain appropriate focus on outcomes and accomplishments, are motivated by achievement, and persist until the goal is reached. 
• Industry Knowledge - Effective performers understand the general workings of local government within which the organization functions, and maintain a current knowledge base.
• Written Communication - Effective performers write clearly and concisely, composing informative and convincing documents. They use written language to convey substance and intent with simplicity, accuracy and clarity. 
• Financial Acumen - Effective performers understand the financial framework of the organization. They are cost conscious and fiscally responsible, and use financial data to make informed business decisions.
• Change Agility - Effective performers are adaptable, are effective in the face of ambiguity, and support an orientation for change. 
• Technology Savvy - Effective performers use technology to be successful in their organizational role. They value technology and leverage existing and new technology to achieve efficiency.

SELECTION PROCESS

The completed electronic application packet will include the online application, including supplemental questions, and electronic attachment of a cover letter. If a cover letter is not attached, your application will be considered incomplete. If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, please call the NEOGOV help line for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.

Application Ranking: Application, including cover letter, and supplemental questions will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank will be determined by their complete application packet upon meeting the employment standards of the position and be certified to the Eligibility List.

The most qualified applicants will be screened and invited to the Departmental selection interviews with the hiring department once a candidate has been certified to the Eligibility List. Note: only those applicants who best fit the needs of the Hiring Department will be considered for this opportunity.

Prior to an offer of employment, the selected candidate may undergo a background check to the satisfaction of the City.