Principal Engineer and Utility Designer

Job Description

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NATURE OF WORK

Utility specific industry and organization-recognized, independent professional performing advanced technical engineering work requiring knowledge and application of the latest advancements in the field.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS

Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under general supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from higher classes by its lack of managerial responsibility and from lower classes by its emphasis on the application of intensive and diversified knowledge and advanced engineering skills and coordination of engineering staff to complex and novel projects.

Provides technical guidance on unusual, non-typical, complex problems and projects requiring a high degree of creativity, foresight, mature judgment in anticipating and solving unprecedented engineering problems.

Note: It should be understood that the job competencies, duties and requirements of the Engineer IV / Utility Designer IV are inherently included in this position.

EXAMPLES OF WORK**

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Depending on area of assignment:

Prepares or coordinates the preparation, review, and approval of engineering analyses, specifications, and reports for complex projects.

Plans, organizes, and supervises the work of engineer(s), utility designer(s), engineering technician(s) and/or consultants. Evaluates progress and performance of the staff and results obtained, and recommends major changes to achieve overall objectives. May involve performance management responsibilities.

Initiates and maintains extensive contacts with key engineers and officials of other organizations, requiring skill in persuasion and negotiation of critical issues. Requires guidance by management in addressing customer requirements.

The individual contributor may serve as a resource or guide by advising others on how to use processes within a system or as a member of a collaborative problem-solving team.

Represents the organization in conferences to resolve important questions and to plan and coordinate work.

Develops and modifies engineering theories, precepts, practices, and procedures. Formulates operating policies.

Keeps abreast of new scientific methods and developments affecting the organization for the purpose of recommending changes in emphasis of programs or new programs warranted by such developments.

Develops and evaluates plans and criteria for a variety of projects and activities to be carried out by others.

Serves as the technical expert for the organization in the application of advanced theories, concepts, principles, and processes. Devises and develops new approaches to problems encountered.

Carries out complex or novel assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures or carries out projects that involve a number of engineering disciplines. Work typically results in the development of new or refined equipment, materials, processes, products, and/or scientific methods.

Serves as the technical specialist for the organization in the application of advanced theories, concepts, principles, and processes for an assigned area of responsibility (i.e., subject matter, function, type of facility or equipment, or product).

Applies knowledge of engineering economic analysis to projects or systems; compares alternatives using appropriate economic analysis. Reviews and approves the economic analysis and engineering recommendations prepared by others and interprets results to support policy, ratemaking or budgeting.

Provides guidance, assistance, and interpretation to others. Guidance relating largely to overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts, and policy matters.

Designs and evaluates engineering projects and activities with internal departments, outside consultants, and contractors on complex projects.

Interprets, organizes, executes, and coordinates assignments.

Initiates and maintains extensive contacts with key engineers and officials of other organizations, uses skill in persuasion and negotiation of critical issues, including the initiation and maintenance of extensive contacts with these parties.

Develops and makes technical presentations.

Develops, implements, and maintains an annual work plan and annual budget.

Attends work on continuous and regular basis.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

May coordinate major areas of engineering activities.

May act in absence of supervisor.

May be responsible for enforcing the drug policy.

Will be required to respond under emergency conditions.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Bachelor of science in engineering degree from an ABET accredited educational institution and eight (8) or more years of experience in the area of assigned engineering responsibility. Appropriate co-op time and/or an advanced degree in engineering, business or other relevant courses of study may substitute for up to one year of experience.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES

Valid State of Florida Professional Engineer license may be required.

Must meet the FBPE requirements as defined in Chapter 471 of the Florida Statute and obtain and maintain “Professional Engineer” Licensing as required by Water/Wastewater Engineering, Public Works, Energy Delivery and Principal Engineers assigned to the water/wastewater, and special projects areas of Strategic Planning.

Valid Florida Driver License required.

NOTES

May require supervisory experience.

Work may require performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions.

May work at heights of over 100 feet on open grating or from aerial device.

Work may require physical strength and agility sufficient to safely perform all essential functions.

Work may require use of personal protection equipment including hearing protection, eye protection, foot protection, hand protection, and head protection.

Work may require exposure to hazardous conditions and noxious chemicals.

Work may require performance of tasks in extreme heat and confined areas.

SELECTION FACTORS/JOB COMPETENCIES

Depending on area of assignment:

Demonstrated proficiency with MS Office Suite and a proficient knowledge of specialized software utilized in the engineering discipline as required by the individual department.

Ability to make decisions and recommendations that are recognized as authoritative and have an important impact on engineering and other activities.

Ability to receive supervision and guidance that relate largely to overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts, and policy matters.

Ability to devise new approaches to problems as encountered.

Ability to exercise sufficient professional experience and subject matter expertise to assure competence in the specific engineering discipline.

Ability to assume full technical responsibility for interpreting, organizing, executing, and coordinating assignments.

Ability to plan and develop engineering projects concerned with unique or controversial problems which have an important effect on major programs.

Ability to apply complex and most current industry engineering theories, practices, and techniques to atypical challenges encountered in the organization.

Ability to exercise judgment, sensitivity, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental and/or subjective criteria, as opposed to criteria that are clearly measurable or verifiable.

Ability to resolve a variety of complex problems such as conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of standard materials, and coordination of personnel.

Ability to perform in a high-level individual-contributor position that may provide limited supervision or coordination of work among one or more engineer/designer I, II, III or IVs, engineering technicians, consultants and other support personnel who assist in specific assignments.

Ability to work effectively with elected officials, charter officers, department heads, and representatives of other agencies, other city employees, and the general public.

Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills including persuasion, consensus building and negotiation of critical issues.

Ability to perform involved mathematical and engineering computations.

Human Resources Department: Signed Original on File at Human Resources/ 10-8-09

Date

** This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position. The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job.

REVISION DATE: 12/01/1994; 08/04/1997; 06/21/2001; 05/21/2007; 10/8/2009

Note:

May Require Assessment(s).

May fill multiple positions.

May establish an eligibility list.

Come join our team! The City of Gainesville offers a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.

All ‘regular’ employees are eligible for traditional benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, paid leave, 11 paid a holidays a year, a pension plan and a deferred compensation plan, but we also offer great things like on-site fitness centers, tuition reimbursement, on-site medical staff and a wellness program to keep you healthy and happy.Please note; benefits are not available for temporary employees.

Equal Opportunity

The City of Gainesville is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in hiring. Minorities, women and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Individuals with a disability, who require special accommodations during the selection process, should notify the Human Resources Department at 352-334-5077 or TDD/TTY at 352-334-2292.

Veterans' Preference

Veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ Preference ensures that veterans and eligible persons are given consideration at each step of the selection process. However, preference does not guarantee that a veteran or other eligible person will be the candidate selected to fill the position. Section 295.07, Florida Statutes (F.S.) specifies who is eligible for Veterans’ Preference. State of Florida residency is not required for Veterans’ Preference.

If you are unable to apply online due to a disability, contact recruiting at or by calling 352-334-5077.