Engineering Assistant

Salary : $66,810.00 – $81,208.08 Annually

Location : Tulare, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 2023-34

Department: Engineering & Project Management

Division: Engineering

Opening Date: 08/28/2023

Closing Date: 9/10/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Position Description

RECRUITMENT OVERVIEW:

Thank you for your interest in our Engineering Assistant position. We look forward to the opportunity to consider you as an applicant.

We are currently recruiting to fill one immediate vacancy and an eligible list will also be established to fill future vacancies in this classification for a period of up to six months.

The City of Tulare is a vibrant and steadily growing community with a population of 67,834 located in the heart of California’s Central Valley. The city provides a full-range of services to our citizens. The organization, staffed with 381 full-time employees, enjoys a culture of fiscal conservatism, collaboration, teamwork and dedication to public service and our community.

TheEngineering Department provides project design, surveying, inspection, and construction management for capital improvement projects; reviews plans and inspects construction of new developments to ensure compliance with applicable laws and ordinances, City standards, specifications, masterplans, and sound engineering design methods; provides Traffic Engineering planning and design to assure the safe and efficient movement of people and products; provides long range planning for the City’s streets, utilities, and drainage infrastructure; and building permitting.

To be considered for this outstanding career opportunity applicants must submit a detailed application with detailed information in each section of the application: Education, Work Experience, Certificates and Licenses, and Skills.

In addition to submitting a detailed application, applicants are required to respond to the supplemental questions associated with the application. Responses to the supplemental questions will be used to help us evaluate applicants’ qualifying knowledge, skills, and abilities. Resumes may be attached but will not be accepted in lieu of a complete, detailed application or in lieu of detailed responses to the supplemental questions.

Applicants that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to interview for the position.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Under general supervision, performs a variety of specialized paraprofessional engineering field and office duties in support of professional engineering staff; researches engineering topics and prepares basic engineering calculations; provides technical advice to the public; coordinates plan submittals; issues permits; maintains plan files and engineering records; prepares reports; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Senior Civil Engineer. No supervision of staff is exercised.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a journey-level classification responsible for performing a wide range of paraprofessional field and office engineering duties including receiving and responding to inquiries and complaints, maintaining engineering records, performing basic engineering calculations, performing field observations and surveys, researching engineering topics and updating maps and drawings. Incumbents are expected to work independently exercising initiative and judgment with general direction. This class is distinguished from the Senior Civil Engineer in that the latter is the highest-level class in the professional engineering series with managerial responsibility for various functions and activities of the Engineering Division.

Examples of Essential Functions

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) Management reserves the rights to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Prepares or assists in the preparation of and/or interprets specifications, plans, estimates, and reports pertaining to the construction, maintenance, and operation of a variety of engineering, land development, utility, and other capital improvement projects, including conducting a variety of surveys for creation of sidewalks, utility lines, and topography maps, collecting all pertinent information to create useful maps, issuing permits and work orders required for construction activities to public clients, and evaluating building plans for compliance with public works standards.
• Drafts plans, specifications, and other contract documents (i.e. special provisions, timelines, etc.) for a variety of engineering projects such as sewer, water, and storm drain pipelines and ponds, and street and alley reconstruction; calculate the quantity and cost of materials used for various projects.
• Reviews bond requirements, responds to inquires from bonding companies, tracks status of bonds, releases bonds by filling out a Notice of Completion and files Notice to Proceed, and assists in processing progress payments.
• Reviews engineering construction plans and calculations for conformance with City standards and specifications.
• Reviews single and multi-family, commercial and industrial building permits for conformance with City codes, standards, and specifications.
• Reviews grading plans and site plan, conducts field review, and lists improvement requirements and additional right-of-way; reviews conditions with other City departments, property owners, developers, engineers, architects, and other government agencies.
• Conducts field inspections of sites and prepares engineering considerations for design review, conditional use permit, parcel maps, and tentative subdivisions.
• Calculates Development Impact Fees for new development, and estimates on proposed development; reports collected fees and account numbers to the Finance Department.
• Checks parcel and subdivision maps for conformance with the Subdivision Map Act and local ordinances; checks closures, calculates fees and bond amounts, and prepares agreements.
• Maintains files and records regarding assigned duties including all sites and plans reviewed and permits issued on sites; provides accurate information to other departments and programs as required.
• Performs special engineering studies and reports, performs special assignments on engineering problems as necessary, and prepares specific studies for other City staff.
• Provides support to developers, builders, contractors, and the general public pertaining to City engineering requirements and fees; processes a variety of permits including building, encroachment, and overload permits.
• May participate in a variety of field and survey work; records and documents information; files reports as appropriate.
• Maintains computerized records of payments, refunds and credits paid to developers; prepares account balances and reports of account balances; examines and corrects accounting transactions to ensure accuracy.
• Prepares various reports on operations and activities; compiles data for special projects, rate analysis, and other reports including engineering service fees, annual cost analysis report, and annual road and street mileage report.
• Assists in the preparation of refund agreements for oversize and benefit districts.
• Establishes and maintains complete files and records related to assigned functions; participates in the maintenance of various computer files and records; inputs and retrieves a variety of fiscal information using a computer terminal.
• Assists in the preparation of legal descriptions and draws corresponding exhibits.
• Draws and updates maps to show tract additions, divisions, existing and proposed improvements, and adjoining lots; draws, updates, and maintains maps and map books; maintains digitized map and atlas files.
• Prepares graphics, plans, maps and specifications for displays, signs, and poster exhibits; drafts and colors a variety of charts, tables, graphs, and other graphical devices.
• Establishes and maintains complete and accurate databases, records and files; maintains elements of the database including City right-of-way, water, sewer, and storm drain layers.
• Receives and responds to information requests from the public, consultants, engineering firms, developers, title companies, public works inspectors and staff; retrieves plans, reports, permits, and files as necessary to comply with requests; responds to complaints from the public and resolves conflicts between owners, contractors, developers, utility companies, and others.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications / Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Civil engineering principles, practices, and methods applicable to office and field work involving the design, construction, and maintenance of public works projects.
• Basic design and construction practices and methods of streets, underground facilities, and related public works infrastructure.
• Engineering plan types, review practices, and permit filing and approval procedures.
• Principles and practices of technical civil engineering drafting and surveying support.
• Drafting and surveying equipment, computers, principles, problems, techniques, and practices.
• Modern developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding engineering.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations (e.g., State Subdivision Map Act), including administrative and department policies and procedures.
• Technical engineering mathematics including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry and uses of construction materials.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment.
• Computer applications related to the work, including computer-aided drafting concepts and applications.
• Technical report writing practices and procedures.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for dealing effectively with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff, in person and over the telephone.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to public and City staff, in person and over the telephone.

Ability to:

• Prepare a variety of plans, specifications, maps, graphic materials, cost estimates, and technical engineering reports.
• Modify engineering drawings, topographic maps, improvement plans, and illustrative graphics using Computer-Assisted Drafting (CAD) software.
• Perform responsible technical engineering support work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
• Read and interpret engineering plans, technical drawings, specifications, and subdivision maps.
• Perform basic engineering design under professional engineering supervision.
• Make mathematical calculations and accurate engineering computations and drawings.
• Make and record accurate field engineering observations.
• Use engineering, drafting, and surveying instruments and equipment.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Apply technical research methodologies and write technical reports.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by college-level coursework in civil engineering, drafting, surveying, mathematics, or related field, and three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in sub-professional civil engineering or drafting with special emphasis on land surveying, development, design, and construction.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California’s driver’s license.

Additional Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle; and to visit and inspect various City development sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification, although the job involves field inspection work requiring frequent walking at inspection sites to monitor performance and to identify problems or hazards; standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, typewriter keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects necessary to perform job functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions; but may occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

• Members of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). In accordance with the California Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), the City of Tulare will offer the following retirement benefit (2.0% at 62) to new PERS members beginning January 1, 2013 with three (3) years final compensation. Existing PERS members with no break in service will receive the 2.5% at 55 formula with single highest year.
  
• City pays a portion of the employee and dependent coverage costs of group medical, dental and vision insurance. An opt-out plan is also available.
  
• Life insurance – $20,000 coverage.
  
• 10 working days vacation per year. Additional days based on years of service.
  
• 12 days sick leave per year.
  
• 15 holidays annually: 12 city observed holidays, plus birthday credit and 2 in-lieu holidays.
  
• Flexible benefit program – IRS Section 125 Plan.
  
• Deferred compensation plan – 457 Plans available.

01

Do you have three (3) or more years of increasingly responsible experience in sub-professional civil engineering or drafting with special emphasis on land surveying, development, design, and construction?

• Yes
• No

02

Have you completed college level course work in civil engineering, drafting, surveying, mathematics, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

03

Please describe your experience preparing a variety of plans, specifications, maps, graphic materials, cost estimates, and technical engineering reports.

04

Please describe your experience using various engineering, drafting, and surveying instruments and equipment.

05

Please describe your experience and level of proficiency using Computer-Assisted Drafting (CAD) software.

Required Question