The City of Novato is seeking a knowledgeable and motivated Associate Engineer to join our Public Works Department. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional to play a key role in the planning, design, and delivery of a wide range of public infrastructure projects that directly serve our community.
We are looking for a detail-oriented and collaborative team member who brings strong technical skills and sound judgment to their work. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in engineering principles and practices, including public infrastructure design, construction management, and review of private development plans. Experience with budgeting, environmental compliance, and coordination with agencies, consultants, and the public is highly desirable.
This position offers the chance to manage meaningful capital improvement projects, oversee consultant contracts, and contribute to efforts that enhance the safety, functionality, and sustainability of Novato’s streets, drainage systems, and other critical infrastructure. The successful candidate will enjoy a balance of field work, project management, and community engagement, along with the opportunity to present projects before decision-making bodies such as the Planning Commission and City Council.
Novato values innovation, service, and professionalism. If you’re a dedicated engineer who wants to make a tangible impact through public service and infrastructure excellence, we invite you to apply and grow your career with us.
Additional Benefits
9/80 work schedule, every other Friday off
Accrue vacation at a rate of 80 hours per year, to start
Provided with 40 hours of sick leave upon hire
14 paid holidays per year
Monthly health premium paid by the City up to $2,893.54, depending on enrollment
Free parking on site
Office is within walking distance of terrific restaurants, shopping, and the downtown SMART station
DEFINITION
To perform a variety of responsible professional engineering work involving the planning, permitting, design, and construction of a variety of capital improvement projects and/or private development projects, from conception to completion; to oversee, review and approve the work of outside consultants; to perform professional engineering studies; and to receive, research and respond to inquiries from the public and outside agencies.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the journey level in the professional Engineer series and is distinguished from the Assistant level by the ability to perform the full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unusual or unique situations arise and by the requirement to possess registration as a Professional Engineer.
This class is distinguished from the Senior Civil Engineer in that the latter is the advanced journey and performs the more complex professional engineering duties which includes providing direct supervision to lower level professional and technical staff.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives direction from a Senior Civil Engineer or other assigned supervisor or manager; may provide technical or functional supervision to technical staff.
Example of Duties:
ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS –Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Essential Functions:
Prepare plans and specifications for the design, construction, and maintenance/operation of a variety of public works facilities and projects; provide estimates in connection with the construction or maintenance of a variety of engineering projects to include street lighting, street resurfacing, general street improvements, drainage and other capital improvement and public works projects as assigned; and ensure conformance to City standards and practices.
Research project design requirements and perform related calculations; conduct plan checks to ensure contractor compliance with City and various environmental regulatory standards; prepare time and material cost estimates, especially as related to existing or anticipated project budgets.
Review and process private development plans for subdivisions, commercial, and residential projects; ensure that such plans comply with City standards and requirements; develop project conditions.
Prepare engineering studies and reports; participate in coordinating public works-related activities with other City departments, divisions, outside agencies, citizens, consultants, and developers.
Act as project manager over the administration of apportionment of assessments; prepare and coordinate the Engineers Reports for assessments districts involving private development related activities; and prepare staff report for the annual assessment presentations to the Planning Commission and City Council.
Review and assist with land development plans, construction documents and encroachment permit applications as assigned.
Receive, research and respond to a variety of questions and inquiries from residents, contractors, and developers regarding City procedures, property information and project status.
Represent the department and City at community, local and regional committees, commissions and meetings; respond to questions and provide technical support as required.
Prepare bid documents including Request for Proposals, technical specifications, bid advertisements and draft contracts; assist with the selection and oversight of outside consultants.
Prepare staff reports; make presentations to City Council, Planning Commission and Design Review Commission, as required; attend and represent department at various local, regional and public meetings.
Prepare, review and interpret special engineering analysis and reports.
Coordinate, create, review or assist with engineering plans, charts, diagrams, graphs, tables, sketches, exhibits and staff reports for the Planning Commission, City Council and other uses.
Draft and monitor grants and applications to secure funding; oversee consulting and construction service contracts; conduct field inspections; and ensure project related information is received by appropriate staff, the public or agency in a timely manner.
Investigate field problems and issues affecting property owners, contractors and maintenance operations; develop and recommend solutions.
Perform and provide technical and professional engineering support for a variety of special project and studies.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
Marginal Functions:
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
Typical Qualifications:
Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of professional engineering as applied to a variety of public works, building/facilities construction, traffic, and/or private development projects.
Methods, materials, and techniques used in the design, construction, and maintenance/operation of public works programs and activities.
Terminology, methods, practices, and techniques used in the design, construction, installation, safety, upgrade and maintenance of general engineering, transportation, traffic management and studies, pavement management and drainage operations.
Surveying, drafting, computer-aided design and modeling techniques and technology.
Pertinent local, State, Federal rules, regulations and laws related to area of engineering assignment.
Legal parameters of land development such as Subdivision Map Act.
Principles and practices of traffic engineering and transportation planning.
Project budgeting techniques and capital project management.
Recent developments, current literature and sources of information regarding civil and structural engineering.
Principles and practices of customer service.
Techniques and principles of effective interpersonal communication.
Principles and practices of safety management.
Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment, including use and application of word processing, spreadsheet, database programs and specialized engineering applications.
English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Ability to:
Perform the full range of professional public works engineering duties including preparation of plans, specifications, maps, deeds, legal descriptions, the conduct of special engineering studies, and construction management.
On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policy and procedures.
Interpret and apply City standards and regulations and engineering policies and procedures as well as applicable laws and regulations related to area of engineering assignment.
Prepare accurate estimates of costs, schedules, personnel, materials and other resources related to engineering project responsibilities; make recommendations related to existing or anticipated project budgets.
Work effectively with a variety of internal and external customers to accomplish goals and objectives; deal firmly and courteously with citizens, developers, consultants, and contractors.
Check engineering plans and specifications; prepare and check engineering reports and studies.
Analyze and prepare technical reports.
Obtain information through interview, to handle multiple assignments, to work with interruption, and to deal firmly and courteously with citizens, developers, consultants, and contractors.
Read, understand, analyze, and use blueprints, construction plans, technical drawings, engineering plans and specifications and reports; reduce, interpret and apply field notes.
Perform engineering and mathematic calculations with speed and accuracy; perform other engineering duties; and write technical reports as assigned.
Project and analyze costs; research and write grant drafts; understand and assist with negotiation of contracts.
Attend public meetings in the evening to perform the requirements of the job.
Investigate, analyze and resolve engineering field conditions and issues.
Prepare clear, complete, accurate, timely and concise written correspondence and reports.
Operate a computer using word processing and business software and other office equipment.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective, tactful and positive working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including various cultural and ethnic groups.
Foster and contribute to a work environment that supports and exhibits honesty, diversity, integrity, trust and respect.
Demonstrate teamwork by contributing to the overall success of the organization with flexibility, cooperation, and communication.
Provide high quality and fiscally responsible services to the Novato community, while delivering responsive customer service.
Demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit by generating new, innovative ideas and development of better methods to accomplish tasks and complete projects.
Use principles of effective office safety including use of equipment in a proper and safe manner, use of preventative personal ergonomic techniques, and maintaining safe personal and common workspaces.
Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience:
Two years of progressively responsible experience similar to an Assistant Engineer with the City of Novato.
Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering or related field.
License and Certificates:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license and proof of automobile liability insurance as required by the position.
Current registration and a Professional Civil Engineer as issued by the State of California is highly desirable.
The mission of the City of Novato is to provide excellent services and enrich the quality of life within the community in a fiscally-responsible manner.
The City, incorporated on January 20, 1960 as a general law city, has approximately 194 full-time employees and delivers services to the community through six departments.
The City Council is made up of five members, elected at large, serving four-year terms. The Mayor is selected for a one-year term from among the members of the City Council. The City operates under a council-manager form of government. The City Council appoints the City Manager and the City Attorney.
