Design Engineer jobs in Tallahassee, FL

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES 
This position performs supervisory and professional engineering design work and is a leader in the production of the design of projects and in the accomplishment of many necessary actions to bring a project to construction.

NOTE:   The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.  The Job Description Questionnaire (JDQ) reflects a more detailed description of the position.  Neither the job description nor the JDQ constitutes an employment agreement.  Both are subject to change as the needs of the County and requirements of the job change.
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Supervises technical staff in the design and preparation of engineering projects.  Initiates and/or recommends personnel actions including hiring, promoting, transferring, and disciplining staff.  Monitors efficiency, ensures harmonious relations, training and other aspects of staff performance, providing for improvements where necessary.  Conducts employee performance evaluations.  Enforces County policies.  Instructs and educates staff in engineering design, theory, and practical application.

Plans, organizes, coordinates, and implements Capital Improvement Projects through consultants, City, County, State Federal Agencies to ensure that all assigned projects to meet the goals including the public interests, County policies, regulatory requirements, and engineering standards.  Develops Scope of Services for contracted-out design projects in coordination with Survey/Right-of-Way, Stormwater Engineering, Operations, Mosquito Control and Stormwater Maintenance, and Construction Management.  Coordinates permitting with regulatory agencies. Reviews proposed Scope of Services from consultants and makes recommendations for approval. Reviews phase submittals and invoices from consultant, provides comments and/or recommends for approval. Prepares agenda Items for submittal to the Board of County Commissioners as required.  Coordinates with consultants to meet with the public and special interest groups to discuss concerns and make presentations on proposed and/or current project status updates.

Designs Capital Improvement Projects and Minor Projects, processes permits, and prepares contract documents.  Develops and/or directs the development of engineering design plans, calculations, specifications, and project schedules based on scope and direction from the Chief of Engineering Design.  Prepares City, County, State and Federal Permit Applications packages.  Prepares construction documents for bids including cost estimates.  Provides engineering expertise during Right-of Way/Easement acquisition and construction phases.  Prepares and certifies environmental compliance reports, record drawings, and operating permit applications.
 
Reviews construction plans for conformity to accepted design standards, applicable  local codes, ordinances, County policies, and other applicable standards.  Reviews outside agency plans and specifications that affect County maintained roadways to ensure engineering design, and compliance with County policies and regulatory requirements.  Formulates response letters to outside agencies. Attends meetings as needed to ensure County interests are conveyed.
 
Evaluates routine operational or maintenance problems within the County street and drainage network, and develops solutions for small projects.  Meets in the field with operational personnel and the public to discuss corrective solutions for relatively minor problems.  Prepares engineering studies including research, data collection, evaluation and final reports. Prepares drawings and other documents for reference to field crews in correcting operational or maintenance problems.  Prepares and processes permit application documents necessary for maintenance.

Performs financial oversight and acts as a back-up to the Construction Project Engineer. Reviews contractor pay requests for accuracy and compliance with bid specifications. Prepares payment request forms in compliance with the prompt payment act. Assists field inspectors to verify/track contract quantities/overruns for compliance with budget. Prepares change orders for time and money as necessary. Reviews bids for balance and completeness prior to award

Performs miscellaneous tasks as assigned by the Chief of Engineering Design, Chief of Engineering Coordination, Director of Engineering Services, or Public Works Director.  Prepares agenda items or provides engineering expertise for their development.  Prepares opinions of probable cost for various projects.  Assists in the review process for new site plans. 
 
OTHER IMPORTANT OR MARGINAL DUTIES                    
None.
 
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Professional knowledge of the theories, principles, and techniques of civil engineering.  Knowledge of using computer software programs to perform engineering design such as design calculations and design plans, and to develop evaluation and design reports.  Skilled in applying basic engineering data gathering methods. Ability to make sound engineering-based field decisions in an expedited manner. Skilled in effective written and oral communications.  Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor while dealing with hostile or angry individuals. Must Possess a high degree of human relations skills to persuade or influence the behavior of others. Ability to maintain good rapport with other agencies, consultants, contractors, and citizens by being courteous, cooperative, and conscientious.  Ability to track project status and citizen inquiries.  Knowledge of Stormwater Engineering.   
 
COMPLEXITY OF WORK
The work supervised consists of complex technical assignments, and projects, often in difficult situations, requiring thorough understanding of civil engineering principles and issues to make engineering sound judgments.  Planning is conducted on a long-range basis in preparing for large design projects, and on a short-term basis in meeting recurring assignments and work flow. The work is affected by frequent changes in priorities and occasional changes in local, state, and federal guidelines, or programs.  The work consists of a wide variety of complex management, environmental, engineering, and road maintenance tasks.  The work is made difficult by the high degree of coordination required, the wide scope and diversity of services provided, and the volume of public demand for services.
 
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CUSTOMER CONTACT
Employee has internal and external customer contact for the purpose of instructing and  motivating technical staff to complete assignments; coordinating construction plans reviews, and providing professional engineering services; working with staff to resolve drainage complaint issues; coordinating with regulatory agencies for permit applications, engineering design, and drainage complaints; explaining and interpreting County policies/procedures; coordinating utility relocations with project design; meeting to review new products and applications; coordinating safety and access issues; et cetera.
 
EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED
Equipment and tools used include a personal computer; word processing, spreadsheet, and specialized computer software programs such as Stormwater Engineering and Utility Engineering Design Related Software, and the following Engineering Design Related Software: AutoCad Civil 3D, Auto TURN or similar, Syncro, HEC-2, HEC-RAS, EPA SWMM, Pond Pack or ICPR, Flow Master, Culvert Master and ArchMAP, ICPR, Hydro Flow; adding machine; scientific calculator, and vehicle.
 
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is performed mainly indoors at a desk.  Some field work is imminent with potential exposure to adverse weather conditions and pests.  
 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and five years of experience in civil engineering design/construction or project management after professional engineer registration, one year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.
 
Necessary Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid Florida Driver's license and favorable driving record. 
Must be a Florida licensed Professional Engineer.
An FDOT Advanced Maintenance of Traffic Certificate is preferred.
 
Selection Guidelines:
Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, reference check, and drug testing.
                                                                                                                                   
FLSA STATUS:  Position currently meets the administrative/professional  exemption.  Position meets the salary test and acts with discretion and independent judgement in the performance of work assignments. Position requires a certification as a professional engineer and a degree as a civil engineer, where work involves preparing engineering designs.  Position also performs administrative work that involves supervision, planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing engineering projects.
 
Revision Date:  03/17/00; 04/25/03; 4/16/08; 8/20/08; 11/30/18.