Salary: $172,000.00 – $215,000.00 Annually
Location : City of Long Beach, CA
Job Type: Unclassified – Full-Time, Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: HDE 23-006
Department: Harbor – (UC)
Division: HARBOR-ENGR-DESIGN
Opening Date: 08/01/2023
Closing Date: 9/17/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
DESCRIPTION
THE PORT OF LONG BEACH IS SEEKING A DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DESIGN
(This is an at-will position)
Salary Range: $172,000 – $215,000
EXTENDED CLOSING DATE: SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 AT 11:59PM
CANDIDATE CONNECT (INFORMATION SESSION)
To find out more about this exciting career opportunity and the Port of Long Beach, please join us in our virtual information session on Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 5 PM PST, via MS Teams. This is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the position, speak directly with hiring leaders, ask questions, and learn why the Port of Long Beach is your employer of choice! Candidates are not required to be on camera. To join audio only, call +1 323-451-1087, Phone Conference ID: 907 462 683#.
About the Port…
The Port of Long Beach is committed to creating an inclusive, equitable and diverse work environment, with the ultimate goal of making BELONGING a norm. We hire amazing qualified teammates from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. We recognize that embracing our differences, and establishing an environment that encourages a diversity of viewpoints and perspectives, makes us a stronger, more effective organization. If you share these values and our enthusiasm, your next career opportunity is with THE PORT OF CHOICE!
The Team…
The Engineering Services Bureau includes the following divisions: Construction Management, Project Controls, Program Management, Survey, Maintenance, and Engineering Design. The Engineering Design Division delivers quality engineering design services for the Port’s infrastructure and assets through collaboration and innovative technology, setting a standard of excellence for now and into the future.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The Role…
Under the direct influence of the Managing Director of Engineering Services and the Chief Harbor Engineer, the Director of Engineering Design is responsible for the leadership, development, and strategic vision of the Engineering Design Division. The position is also responsible for directing design efforts for Port projects, setting design and CAD standards and criteria, and overseeing the Port’s Public Works engineering efforts and Capital Improvement Programs.
Key responsibilities include:
- Provides leadership and direction for the Engineering Design Division, which provides engineering design services for the Port.
- Provides direct and indirect supervision of all Engineering Design staff, establishes goals and objectives, measures performance, and ensures an effective, customer-oriented service level is attained.
- Provides oversight of professional consultants.
- Provides the strategic direction for the Engineering Design Division, in order to align its services and mission with the overall mission of the Port.
- Consults with bureau leadership to determine their short and long-term needs, and provides engineering designs that will be responsive to those needs; provides direction, information, and support to directors on engineering matters that affect their respective organizations.
- Ensures that the Port’s policies and procedures are maintained by developing and updating administrative directives on a regular basis.
- Holds regular departmental meetings to review strategic goals and initiatives, promote team building and works to provide growth paths for staff.
- Oversees the work of multiple design teams involved in Port design projects, studies and technical support to provide plans, specifications and estimates for a broad range of projects, including new wharfs, channels, terminals, bridges and significant repair and modifications to the Port’s Public Works Infrastructure.
- Oversees teams that prepare technical reports, studies, plans, specifications and estimates to generate construction and major maintenance project documents.
- Oversees the hiring and review of work performed by specialty consultants; ensures designs prepared by Port consultants meet POLB design and CAD standards and criteria.
- Identifies emerging technologies that are potentially applicable to Port engineering and analyzes current technological trends.
- Supplies expert assistance on engineering related issues for the Port.
- Directs the planning, supervising and allocation of Engineering Design Division resources and annual budget.
- Prepares/oversees all communication with the Board of Harbor Commissioners, Executive Management, City of Long Beach, tenants, other governmental agencies, utility companies and other agencies/private parties as required.
- Collaborates and executes other duties as needed or required.
What we want you to focus on immediately…
- Work to gain an understanding of the Engineering Design Team’s mission, composition, workload, services areas, design standards, and infrastructure conditions.
- Work to ensure continued progress and attaining schedules for project designs and services requests.
- Assess capacity of resources and identify and prioritize any supplementary needs.
- Represent the Engineering Design Division amongst the divisions of the Engineering Services Bureau, gaining and understanding the Bureau’s role in the Department, the Department’s long-range development planning goals and priority initiatives.
What success will look like…
The successful candidate for the Director of Engineering Design (the Director) will be a proven, innovative, collaborative, progressive, results-oriented leader who exhibits a commitment to high quality work and exceptional customer service. The Director will be a proactive coach and mentor, highly organized, a strategic thinker and someone who exercises impeccable judgment and ethics. Superior communication skills (written, verbal, presentation) are a must.
The Director will stay abreast of internal and external best practices and drive implementation of process improvements as appropriate. The Director will have significant input into strategic decision-making affecting Engineering Design of Port Projects.
The Director will have a strong commitment to environmental issues and The Port’s Green Policy, and will be expected to be a resilient professional with exceptional interpersonal skills who can work effectively and collaborate with Port stakeholders including the Board of Harbor Commissioners, senior management, tenants, customers, Port staff and the community. The Director must possess superior professional standards and consensus building approach and be comfortable working in a deadline-driven and demanding environment.
REQUIREMENTS TO FILE
What we’re looking for…
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or Electrical Engineering is required.
- Must be a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of California.
Required Experience and Qualifications:
- Ten years or more of professional design experience, in a progressively responsible management and design role, supervising staff involved in the full range of engineering design functions is required.
- Experience in working with Public Works Infrastructure Capital Improvement Programs and/or Utility Master Plans is required.
- Must have a valid California driver’s license to perform work-related duties, including driving to meetings and work related events.
- Must be able to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) during course of employment.
Desirables:
- A Master’s Degree or advanced coursework in disciplines related to Port engineering design or management is desirable.
- Five to ten years’ experience preparing design documents is desirable .
- Three to five years’ experience preparing a working unit operation’s budget is desirable .
- Familiarity with marine structures, terminal planning (buildings and layout), utility design, CAD and G.I.S. systems is desirable .
- Able to demonstrate the capability to react in emergency situations in the repair of critical infrastructure is desirable .
- Relevant professional certifications is desirable.
How to stand out…
To catch our attention, your profile and experience will demonstrate the following professional attributes and strengths:
- Strong leadership background, with experience as a number one or number two management professional in a complex, similarly situated organization with comparable challenges and structure.
- Proven ability to implement new programs or practices designed to enhance services and values.
- Experience in successfully creating and maintaining effective partnerships with people from diverse backgrounds and areas of technical expertise.
- Demonstrated success in leading change.
Technical Skills Needed:
- Must have high-level organizational and planning skills so that workflow is managed efficiently and accurately; set priorities, take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment.
- Ability to exercise outstanding engineering and management judgment and technical skill in many challenging engineering fields.
- Ability to collaborate across engineering and non-engineering divisions.
- Requires knowledge of principles and practices of sound business communication; correct English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation.
- Must have high energy with a passion for high quality service and products.
- Must be a strong leader of people; capable of motivating and energizing staff.
- Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
- Strong technical knowledge, business writing and presentation skills.
- Ability to manage numerous diverse projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to work independently without extensive direction or oversight.
- Ability to be a creative, strategic thinker dedicated to quality service.
- Ability to handle frequent interruptions, and to prioritize tasks to complete multiple assignments with competing deadlines.
- Must be capable of supporting a diverse workforce and creating an environment of belonging.
- Must have demonstrated success in leading change.
- Must display enthusiasm and optimism regarding work.
Professional Knowledge and Characteristics:
- Broad working knowledge of leadership and management principles.
- Knowledge of current engineering technology best practices and applications.
- Knowledge of engineering systems analysis and design techniques.
- You exhibit exceptional leadership skills that include maturity, vision, and an ability to articulate the organization’s vision and mission to others.
- You live Customer Service excellence – someone who can build a culture of customer service (internal and external).
- You are a strategic “out of the box” thinker – someone who anticipates and is pro-active.
- You are a direct communicator with superior interpersonal skills.
- You are an efficient manager with great attention to detail.
- You thrive in a fast-paced environment of innovation, collaboration and teamwork.
- You have a track record of exceptional integrity, discretion and ethical behavior in all work situations.
- You have thought of things that we haven’t even mentioned here!
SELECTION PROCEDURE
How do we start the conversation?
The final filing date for this recruitment is: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 @ 11:59 pm PST.
The Port reserves the right to extend the closing date without notice in order to accept additional applications.
To be considered for this opportunity, you must submit a cover letter and a resume (as PDF attachments) reflecting scope of current/most recent organization and responsibilities. Incomplete submissions or those that clearly do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered.
Individuals determined to be most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a work-related assessment to further evaluate candidate qualifications. References will be completed for finalist candidates and an employment offer is contingent on the successful completion of a comprehensive background check.
An Equal Employment Opportunity
If you require an accommodation because of a disability in order to participate in any phase of the application/selection process, please contact (562) 283-7511, or email
The Port of Long Beach is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
The Port of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the Port of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting
The Benefits…
The Port of Long Beach has established an annual salary range of $172,000 – $215,000. Starting salary is based on qualifications. An attractive package of executive level benefits is also included with the opportunity of working in one of the most diverse and dynamic areas of the United States. The Port’s generous benefits package includes:
- Auto Allowance – $450 per month upon approval by Executive Director.
- Retirement – CalPERS 2% @ 62, coordinated with social security. Current member contribution is 8.00% for CalPERS, and 6.2% for social security, paid by the employee.
- Deferred Compensation – City match up to 2% of base salary for all qualified members that are contributing to the 457(b) plan.
- Group Health Insurance – Medical and dental options (HMO and PPO). Free vision coverage.
- Life Insurance – City-paid life insurance policy of $20,000 plus executive insurance benefit equal to three times annual salary up to a maximum of $500,000.
- Disability Insurance – City-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
- Pay for Performance – Pay for Performance is awarded based on employee performance as demonstrated through achievement of individual goals, demonstration of required competencies, and available budget funds.
- Vacation – Vacation is accrued at 3.7 hours per pay period to begin, which is equivalent to two weeks on an annual basis. Vacation can be used after six months of service.
- Sick Leave – Accrued at 8 hours per month. Accruals may be converted upon retirement to cash credit toward health and /or dental insurance premiums or retirement service credits.
- Paid Parental Leave – After six (6) months of City employment, the City pays up to 30 consecutive days (160 hours) for eligible employees to take paid time to bond with child upon birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of 17.
- Executive Leave – 40 hours per year.
- Holidays – 11 scheduled holidays per calendar year and four (4) personal holidays.
- Bereavement Leave – 5 days for death or critical illness of immediate family member.
- Education Reimbursement – Tuition reimbursement available for employees to obtain additional education or training.
- Annual Physical – Eligible to receive an annual physical examination at City expense through the City provided program.
Employee Benefits
The City of Long Beach offers its employees opportunities to grow personally and professionally. As a permanent employee, you are eligible to receive fringe benefits that include:
- Retirement: California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) defined benefit retirement plan, which is coordinated with Social Security. The benefit is 2.5% @55 for “Classic” members and 2%@62 for new members as defined by PEPRA. Subject to employee contribution. Both the City and the employee contributes toward CalPERS retirement contributions. The city also participates in Social Security.
- Health and Dental Insurance: The City offers the choice of HMO and PPO plans. The city pays major portion of the premium for employee and dependents depending on the health/ dental plan selected.
- Life Insurance: City-paid term life insurance policy equal to three (3) times annual salary to a maximum of $500,000.
- Disability Insurance: City-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance.
- Management Physical: Annual City-paid physical examination.
- Vacation: Twelve (12) vacation days after the first year of service; 15 days after four years, six months of service; 20 days after 19 years, six months of service.
- Executive Leave: Forty (40) hours Executive Leave per year. The City Manager has discretion to grant an additional 40 hours each year.
- Sick Leave: One day earned per month; unlimited accumulation; conversion upon retirement to cash credit toward health and/or dental insurance premiums, or to pension credits.
- Holidays: Eleven (11) designated holidays per year, plus four personal holidays to be used at the employee’s discretion.
- Transportation Allowance: $450 per month.
- Deferred Compensation Plan: Optional for employee contribution to a supplementary retirement savings program available through Mission Square Retirement formerly ICMA-RC Retirement Corporation). City contributes 1% of employee’s base pay to the employee’s 401(a) plan; effective September 30, 2022, the City will contribute 2% of employee’s base pay to the employee’s 401(a) account. Employees may opt to contribute up to the IRS annual limits as well.
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Optional election for employees to reduce taxable income for payment of allowable childcare or medical expenses.
- Flexible/Hybrid Work Schedule: Available (subject to City Manager approval).
- Paid Parental Leave: After six (6) months of City employment; up to 30 calendar days (160 hours) of PPL, taken in full-day increments, in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of seventeen (17).
Management positions – Refer to the Job Posting brochure included in the job posting.