ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - ENGINEERING DESIGN

THE PORT OF LONG BEACH IS SEEKING AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DESIGN

(This is an at-will position)

 Salary Range: $190,000 - $235,000

ABOUT US

The Port of Long Beach, one of the world's busiest seaports, is an international gateway for the reliable, efficient, and sustainable movement of goods and is a leader in environmental stewardship. Credited with moving approximately $200 billion in trade, the Port serves as a critical hub for international commerce and is a major transportation center. East Asian trade accounts for the bulk of Long Beach shipments. Port-related international trade has a wide-ranging economic impact, supporting millions of jobs that benefit the region and the entire country.

THE TEAM

The Engineering Services Bureau includes the following divisions: Construction Management, Project Controls, Program Management, Survey, Maintenance, and Engineering Design. The Engineering Design Division delivers quality engineering design services for the Port's infrastructure and assets through collaboration and innovative technology, setting a standard of excellence for now and into the future.

Reporting to the Director of Engineering Design, the Assistant Director of Engineering Design takes the helm with unwavering enthusiasm. With minimal guidance, they lead and synchronize the vibrant team within the Engineering Design Division. This dynamic group is at the forefront, spearheading investigations, pioneering developments, and crafting cutting-edge engineering designs. Their realm encompasses a vast spectrum, spanning municipal, harbor, engineering, and building projects. As the driving force behind the investigation, development, design, plan review, and construction processes, the Assistant Director is a beacon of inspiration, ensuring that every endeavor reflects the pinnacle of excellence and creativity. The future of groundbreaking projects is in the capable hands of the Assistant Director of Engineering Design, where ingenuity knows no bounds.

CANDIDATE CONNECT (INFORMATION SESSION)

To learn more about this exciting career opportunity and the Port of Long Beach, please join our virtual information session on Thursday, March 21, 2024, @ 5:00 pm PDT via MS Teams. This is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand about the position, speak directly with hiring leaders, ask questions, and learn why the Port of Long Beach is your employer of choice! Candidates are not required to be on camera. To join audio only, call 1 323-451-1087, Phone Conference ID: ID: 123 769 188#  Click here to join the meeting. 

HOW YOU GET TO CONTRIBUTE:
 

• Provide leadership and direction to the Engineering Design Division staff on civil, structural, electrical, and traffic engineering solutions, terminal development, structures, water systems, storm drains, sewer systems, street improvement, geographic information system (GIS) and Computer-Aided Draft and Design (CADD) support for the Port of Long Beach.
• Perform strategic planning of short- and long-term infrastructure management programs to include directing and performing condition assessment of existing infrastructure.
• Direct and oversee Capital Improvement Programs to include maintenance recommendations to manage the Port’s infrastructure efficiently. 
• Review preliminary engineering studies, project scopes, budgets, project and master schedules, cost estimates, and contract documents.
• Procure professional engineering and construction services and oversee the administration of these contracts.
• Provides technical review on submittals including reports, calculations, plans, specifications, and estimates.
• Monitors project progress, consultant invoicing and payments, contract amendments and change orders.
• Oversee public bidding documents and processes.
• Provide support services to the Construction Management Division in the negotiations of contractor claims and corrective action measures and oversee construction support services including Requests for Information (RFI’s).
• Prepares, review and implement Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and Requests for Statements of Qualifications (RSOQs) to hire consultants to complete assigned projects.
• Oversee the preparation and update process of design standards and specifications to ensure standards are readily accessible to in-house staff and outside consultants.
• Direct and perform Quality Assurance/Quality Control of the engineering design in conformance with regulatory standards and policies to make recommendations for improvement and ensure incorporation of corrections.
• Review status reports received from all Engineering Design groups, verify all pertinent information provided, and forward weekly and bi-monthly reports summarizing project status, activity, and issues to the Division Director.
• Prepare and present technical and non-technical presentations to industry leaders, local community groups, and Commissioners. 
• Represent the Port and the Engineering Design Division at professional functions, senior staff meetings, and Board of Harbor Commissioner meetings. 
• Manage the day-to-day administrative approval functions for the Division, including time off requests, electronic time cards, and cash reimbursements. 
• Approve invoices, purchase orders, and blanket purchase orders through the City’s financial/accounting system.          
• Establish and monitor file management and record-keeping functions.       
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related engineering field.
• Registration as a Professional Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Structural Engineer or Registered Architect in California.   
• 7 years of increasingly responsible engineering experience as a registered professional engineer working with Port/Harbor, transportation, or related projects of similar scale and complexity. Qualifying experience must have been attained after successful graduation with a degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field OR after passing the Professional Engineers (P.E.) examination.
• 3 years of experience directly supervising a minimum of two registered professional engineers (overseeing the work of consultants while working for a public entity does not count towards this experience).
• Experience in project management and/or technical design.
• A history of successfully designing and managing Public Works projects, including overseeing design teams.
• Must have a valid California Driver’s License to perform work-related duties.

DESIRABLE:

• A Master’s degree or advanced coursework in disciplines related to Port Engineering design or management is desirable, or professional certifications.
• Prior Port, public transportation agency, or municipality experience.
• Experience with ESRI (ArcGIS), Hydraulic Modeling, MicroStation, AutoCAD, In-Roads, Civil3D, ProjectWise, or other engineering applications or scheduling programs.                 
• Knowledge of maritime, construction, government, and engineering terminology.
• Experience contracting with, and managing consultants.
• Public Works Master Plan/Capital Improvement Program Management experience.

TECHNICAL SKILLS NEEDED:

• Thorough knowledge of civil engineering design and construction theories, principles, and practices.
• Wide knowledge of design and construction practices related to Port infrastructure and municipal public work projects.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, and everyday materials and equipment used in engineering project design, construction, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of components of construction plans and specifications.
• Knowledge of project management methods and practices for planning, budgeting, scheduling, monitoring project performance, and evaluating results. 

To thrive, you will need strong negotiation skills, political savviness, excellent client/customer relations skills, and exceptional public speaking/presentation skills. You must also be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various employees, vendor representatives, officials, and Port management.

If you require accommodation because of a disability to participate in any phase of the application/selection process, please call (562) 283-7500 or email Ari.Mirhosseini@polb.com.

The Port of Long Beach will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You are not required to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until you receive a conditional job offer. If the Port of Long Beach has concerns about a conviction that is directly related to the job after making a conditional job offer and conducting a background check, you will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide evidence to mitigate concerns or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/fair-chance-act or https://www.longbeach.gov/hr/about-us/talent-acquisition/the-fair-chance-act/.

The final filing date for this recruitment is Sunday, March 31, 2024 @ 11:59 pm PDT.  

 To be considered for this opportunity, please submit a cover letter and resume with your application in PDF format.  Incomplete applications (without a cover letter and resume) will not be considered.   

Individuals who are most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a work-related assessment to further evaluate candidate qualifications. First and second-round panel interviews are scheduled for Thursday, April 4, 2024 (virtual) and Wednesday, April 10, 2024 (in-person). Candidates should ensure availability on both dates. The successful candidate will be appointed shortly thereafter. References will be completed for finalist candidates; an employment offer is contingent on conducting a comprehensive background check.

The Port reserves the right to extend the closing date without notice in order to accept additional applications. Those individuals determined to be most qualified for the position will be invited to participate in the selection process.  

THE BENEFITS:

The Port of Long Beach has established an annual salary range of $190,000 - $235,000 (placement depends on qualifications). An attractive package of executive-level benefits is also included, with the opportunity to work in one of the most diverse and dynamic areas of the United States. The Port’s generous benefits package includes:

• Auto Allowance – $550.00 per month
• Executive Leave – 40 hours per year.
• Retirement – CalPERS 2% @ 62, coordinated with social security. Current member contribution is 8.00% for CalPERS, and 6.2% for social security, paid by the employee.
• Pay for Performance – Pay for Performance is awarded on a yearly basis, based on employee performance as demonstrated through achievement of individual goals, demonstration of required competencies, and available budget funds. 
• Deferred Compensation – The City matches up to 2% of the base salary for all qualified members contributing to the 457(b) plan. 
• Group Health Insurance – Medical and dental options (HMO and PPO). Free vision coverage.
• Life Insurance – City-paid life insurance policy of $20,000 plus executive insurance benefit equal to three times annual salary up to a maximum of $500,000.
• Disability Insurance – City-paid short- and long-term disability insurance.
• Vacation – Vacation is accrued at 3.7 hours per pay period to begin, which is equivalent to two weeks on an annual basis. Vacation can be used after six months of service. 
• Sick Leave – Accrued at 8 hours per month. Accruals may be converted upon retirement to cash credit toward health and /or dental insurance premiums or retirement service credits. 
• Paid Parental Leave – After six (6) months of City employment, the City pays up to 30 consecutive days (160 hours) for eligible employees to take paid time to bond with the child upon birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child, up to the age of 17. 
• Holidays – 11 scheduled holidays per calendar year and four (4) personal holidays.
• Bereavement Leave – 5 days for death or critical illness of immediate family member.
• Education Reimbursement – Tuition reimbursement allows employees to obtain additional education or training. 
• Annual Executive Physical – Eligible to receive an annual physical examination at the city's expense through the city-provided program. 
• Public Student Loan Forgiveness – As the Harbor Department of the City of Long Beach, a governmental agency, the Port of Long Beach is a qualifying employer for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• 529 college savings plan – The ScholarShare529 plan is an account that allows employees to invest specifically for future education expenses through the Long Beach City Employees Federal Credit Union. Funds can be used from your 529 savings plan to send your grandkids, kids, or even yourself to any accredited public or private U.S. college or university – or two-year technical or vocational institution. 

 The Port of Long Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 

 www.polb.com