DESIGN ENGINEER

POSITION TITLE:               Design Engineer

DEPARTMENT:                  Public Works

POSITION STATUS:          Full-time; Non-union

REPORTS TO:                    Public Works Director | County Engineer or Assistant County Engineer

JOB LOCATION:                 Public Works Facility, Center City, MN

The Design Engineer is responsible for providing complex highway and drainage design.  Including assisting, training, advising and guiding engineering technicians in highway design, construction, engineering principles, practices and procedures, determination of data collection needs, geometries, pavement design hydrologic and hydraulic design, signing and striping design, highway plat reviews, interpreting State and Federal regulations, determining right of way needs and providing construction activities with technical support on project plans, specifications, schedule and contract compliance.  Also includes coordinating activities for the County Highway Ditch Program; and performs related duties as required.  Work is done in close collaboration with County Engineer, Assistant County Engineer and Engineering Technicians and is performed independently under general supervision of Assistant County Engineer.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Coordinate and conduct public involvement programs, maintain local & State partnerships and coordinate project needs with utility companies.
2. Provides assistance, training, advice and guidance to engineering technicians in advanced and complex engineering principles, design procedures and practices, accepted industry standards and best management practices
3. Develops and implements standard design procedures, programs and processes.
4. Determines, communicates, monitors and ensures data collection needs for complete analysis during design and implementation in construction contract enforcement.
5. Coordinates plan approval with the State Aid Department, the purchase of right-of-way and the highway construction process with contractors.
6. Performs and reviews complex engineering calculations and designs for County infrastructure improvements, including horizontal and vertical alignments, cross-sections, hydraulics and right of way.
7. Compiles the necessary records for each construction project.
8. Assists with the County Ditch Program; researches data on various county ditches.
9. Determines the original intent of the ditch; provide technical assistance to the Assistant County Engineer and Maintenance Superintendent; performs ditch inspections.

10.       Prepare, review and lead project cost estimates, proposals, specifications and special provisions.  Provide documents required for project letting.

11. Determines project hydrology and designs hydraulic systems.
12. Recommends appropriate drainage procedures to individuals.
13. Assists the Assistant County Highway Engineer with scheduling, compiling information and drafting presentations for public hearings and meetings.
14. Responds to a variety of inquiries and complaints from the public, contractors and other interest individuals or groups.
15. Participate in developing department programs, policies and procedures.
16. Assists in preparing the department budget by preparing engineer’s estimates for construction projects.
17. Reviews, prepares and acquires all regulatory permits and approvals required for project initiation and construction. Meets and confers with permitting officials in the field or office as required.
18. Coordinate and lead preparation of construction plan documents, including lay out, quantities, plan and profile, cross-sections and special items. Process and obtain needed State Aid approvals.
19. Prepares traffic control plans for engineering and maintenance operation projects.
20. Provides technical and professional support for review of construction plans and specifications to field construction technicians on change requests and general activities to ensure project construction will provide desired design results.
21. Responsible for interpretation of construction plans and special provisions to insure adequate inspection and testing for county, State Aid & Federal Aid construction projects.
22. Responsible for interpretation of construction plans and special provisions to insure adequate inspection and testing for bridge construction projects.
23. Identify and resolve field design issues/problems with other staff.
24. Ensure work is designed and performed to meet applicable local, State and Federal guidelines, standards and laws and conforms to acceptable engineering standards and department practices.
25. Coordinates State Aid Needs reporting.
26. Maintain a thorough knowledge, through continuing education, of current construction and design methods and materials required for construction.
27. Designs and prepares Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans
28. Performs other duties as assigned.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:

Personal computer, including Microsoft Outlook, word processing (Word), spreadsheet (Excel), computer?aided design software (MicroStation & GeoPak); surveying equipment including level, theodolite and electronic distance measuring devices, motor vehicle; phone; mobile radio.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed mostly in office settings.  Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various projects, construction sites, or public work facilities.  Hand?eye coordination is necessary to operate drafting instruments, computers and various pieces of office equipment.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to operate, finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific visions abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in the outside weather conditions (approximately 80% inside work & 20% outside work).  The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibrations.

The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet to loud and noisy.

GENERAL STATEMENT:

Applicants for appointment to this position will be required to submit a formal application and may be subject to rating of education and experience, oral interview and/or reference check, criminal history check, background investigation, drug testing, psychological testing.  Job related tests may be required of any applicant.

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

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee as is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

GRADE:   29

REVISED 5/2018