Assistant City Engineer at City of Columbia Heights – Columbia Heights, Minnesota

Under general direction of the Director of Engineering and Facilities/City Engineer, the Assistant City Engineer is responsible for administering the Engineering Department’s programs and general operation through the planning and directing of engineering functions and by performing complex engineering work in the design of public improvement projects. Provides supervisory, administrative, and technical oversight in the planning, construction, maintenance, operation, repair and replacement of City streets, alleys, sidewalks, trails, parking lots, traffic control, storm sewer systems, and day-to-day administration of public improvement projects. This position supervises employees, schedules maintenance, and manages personnel and overall operation of the Engineering department.

Essential duties listed below are intended only to illustrate the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Responsible for general operation of the Engineering department:

1. Supervises and participates in the investigation, development, design, and construction of a variety of engineering projects; monitors projects through the review of reports, conferences, and inspections.
2. Supervises, directs, disciplines, and evaluates assigned staff. Has authority to recommend the hiring, transfer, suspension, promotion, discharge, assignment, rewarding, and adjustment of grievances of employees under suspension. In the exercise of this authority, the use of independent judgment is required.
3. Supervises the maintenance of engineering digital and paper files, including master plans of the City’s transportation system, storm sewer collection system, sanitary sewer collection system, and water distribution system.
4. Administers the Municipal State Aid Street (MSAS) program for the City.
5. Examines and recommends the approval, rejection, or modification of various proposed plans and plats submitted to the City.
6. Prepares the annual department budget, monitors expenditures for compliance with budget, and leads efforts on major department purchases. Contributes to short-term and long-term capital improvement programs.
7. Prepares various reports, agendas, correspondence, and memorandums as required.
8. Prepares City Council letters and attachments for projects from inception (feasibility study) to completion. Attends City Council meeting in the absence of the Director of Engineering and Facilities/City Engineer.
9. Attends Sustainability Commission meetings as staff liaison in the absence of other Engineering staff.
10. Attends meetings when public improvement activities are considered and/or other meetings when requested to do so.
11. Confers with and provides technical engineering advice to other City departments; advises staff concerning technical engineering matters.
12. Develops, recommends, and administers policies, practices, procedures, and records for the Engineering department.
13. Maintains compliance with all applicable regulations and codes, oversees record systems, and ensures reporting to various agencies at Federal, State, and local levels.
14. Coordinates activities within the Engineering Department; meets with City Council, City Commissions, or associations as required.
15. Acts as an internal consultant to other departments.
16. Coordinates emergency response and participates in incident command for Engineering department.
17. Coordinates with GIS staff to maintain computerized data, records, and inspections.
18. Identifies departmental needs and assists in purchasing, designing, and modifying equipment; oversees the purchase of supplies and materials; and develops annual budgets.
19. Assists in the creation of capital programs for the Engineering department.
20. Acts as the Director of Engineering and Facilities/City Engineer in the absence of the Director of Engineering and Facilities/City Engineer.
21. Performs other work as required.

Required Qualifications:

A combination of training and experience substantially equivalent to the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, or a closely related field, from an accredited college or university.
• Registration as an Engineer-In-Training (EIT) in the State of Minnesota. Ability to obtain license as a Professional Engineer in the State of Minnesota within one (1) year of employment.
• A minimum of four years of experience in Civil Engineering or related work.
• One year supervisory experience.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software.
• Possession of a valid driver's license.

• Licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Minnesota.
• Four to ten years of experience in Municipal Engineering work.
• Three years supervisory experience.
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D, ArcMap, Cartegraph, GIS, and surveying equipment.