Engineer-In-Training/Engineer I

Salary: See Position Description
Location : City of Bellingham, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 24-Engineer-In-Training/Eng I
Department: Public Works
Division: Public Works Engineering
Opening Date: 02/16/2024
Closing Date: 4/1/2024 8:00 AM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: 231
Nature of Work
Are you ready to start your Engineering career in the public sector? The City of Bellingham's Public Works Department is currently hiring for an Engineer-in-Training/ Engineer I.
The Engineer-in-Training/Engineer I is responsible for performing professional level engineering work activities and analysis. These positions support a variety of capital improvement and private development projects and public works construction. Performs or assists in performing the review of designs and plans, gathering and compiling data, tracking and coordinating projects and resolving complaints. Reviews proposals and plans for compliance with federal, state, local and City regulations and codes. Performs technically complex research and makes decisions regarding methodologies that will be used for analysis. This position may periodically rotate among assignments in the Capital and Development divisions.
SALARY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION:
The full salary ranges for each position are:

• Engineer-in-Training: $6,799 - $8,237 per month
• Engineer I: $7,871 - $9,537 per month

NOTE: A person with the requisite experience and training may be hired in at Engineer I level.
Research has demonstrated that salary negotiation can further inequality due to bias across gender and race. To prevent negotiation bias, the City places new employees within the published salary range based on qualifications and professional experience as listed on the application material, in accordance with City policy. This is in line with the City's commitment to accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Candidates who exceed the minimum experience requirements shall be given credit for advanced step placement at the rate of one additional pay step for each two full years of directly related or equivalent professional experience beyond the minimum requirements. Candidates who meet minimum qualifications or have experience that is not directly related or in a lower-level position will be placed at step one in the salary range. For positions that require a bachelor's degree, one additional step may be granted for applicants with a master's degree in a related field when the master's degree is not required to meet minimum qualifications. The City's HR Department regularly evaluates minimum qualifications to provide equitable employment opportunities.
For internal candidates, placement within the range is based on City Pay Placement Procedures.
These positions are represented by a union. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the and City policy.
City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City's 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.
Employees will receive 12 paid holidays in addition to one paid floating holiday each year. At the time of hire, employees will accrue 8 hours of sick leave and 10 hours of vacation per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals are pro-rated if part-time and require employees to be in paid status at least 120 hours/month.
For additional information regarding benefits and compensation information please visit the following:
Closing Date/Time: Mon. 04/01/24, 8:00 AM Pacific Time
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB:

1. Independently performs a variety of professional engineering tasks within the framework of established policies and guidelines and sound engineering practices.
2. Prepares or assists in preparing engineering analyses for the effective planning of projects; performs research related to the financing, technology, environmental impact and legal issues of a program or project.
3. Prepares plans, maps, exhibits, drawings, charts and graphs and provides technical data in support of projects.
4. Performs review of engineering plans, reports and calculations submitted by customers or consultants.
5. Prepares or assists in preparing specifications for structures or projects requiring application of engineering knowledge.
6. Plans or assists in planning, coordinating and monitoring work on uncomplicated capital or private development projects.
7. Assists in preparing and evaluating Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) and Requests for Proposals (RFP).
8. Coordinates with construction inspectors in ensuring conformance with plans and specifications for Public Works projects.
9. Responds to inquiries, complaints, or requests for information from other departments, agencies and the general public; provides information and resolves concerns regarding City requirements and processes.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED:

1. Assists other department staff with the preparation of grant applications.
2. Performs other related work of a similar nature or level.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in an office setting with extensive work at a computer workstation and occasionally outdoors in all weather conditions on City streets and rights-of-ways, in close proximity to roadway traffic, noxious fumes, heavy equipment and occasionally in confined spaces with infrequent lifting of heavy objects. Some travel to professional meetings is expected.
Experience and Training
This job description documents the full range of duties for an Engineer-In-Training/Engineer I at the City of Bellingham. Positions will be filled at the appropriate level based on requisite experience and training.
Incumbents in the Engineer-In-Training position may receive a non-competitive promotion when they meet minimum experience and training requirements for the next level and demonstrate capability to perform the full range of functions independently under general supervision and guidance, provided adequate work and funding is available.
Engineer-In-Training

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Engineer-In-Training certification within 6 months of hire.
• Demonstrated experience in Auto CAD preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Engineer I

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Professional Engineer's license at time of hire required. Must obtain WA State PE License within 6 months of hire.
• Four (4) years of experience in the engineering field required.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to provide the applicant with the knowledge, skills and ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the job will be considered.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Valid Washington State driver's license and good driving record. Applicant must submit a three-year driving record prior to hire.
• Adaptability and flexibility to accept schedule changes as necessary, and willingness to accept "call out" status for emergency situations.
• Employment contingent upon passing a criminal background check (see Fair Hiring Practices below).

Selection Process
As part of the application process, a cover letter is required.
Within the cover letter, please answer the following questions:

1. Please indicate why you are interested in this position, and why this position is the next right step for you in your career.
2. Provide a brief summary of your education, experience and qualifications for this position.

Please ensure your application is complete and all required information has been provided. Standard completeness means all application fields (contact information, personal information, education, work experience, references, and required supplemental questions). Provide as much detail as you believe will fully describe your experience and training.
Interviews for the most qualified candidates are tentatively scheduled for April 19, 2024. Invitations to participate in the interview process will be sent via e-mail on or around April 12, 2024.
Please Note: Candidates will receive updates regarding application status via email. Please be sure to check your email frequently, including your spam folders for messages filtered by your email providers.
Equal Opportunity:
Our environment is characterized by respect for cultural backgrounds, belief systems, and ethnic diversity. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its work force. We do not make decisions on the basis of an individual's race, religion, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, age (40+), disability, retaliation, sexual orientation or gender identity, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking, use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, or any other basis prohibited by local, state, or federal law. All are encouraged to apply for employment.
Fair Hiring Practices

• The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.

There are many good reasons for working at the City of Bellingham. The work is rewarding and you have an opportunity to serve your community. Another good reason is the great benefits that the City offers its employees. See our for additional information.
This position is represented by the Teamsters 231 bargaining unit. Specific benefit information including Holidays, Vacation Accruals, Health, Dental and Vision Plans with cost sharing and Deferred Compensation Match can be found in the
This position is covered by the State of Washington Department of Retirement Systems PERS plan. PERS requires mandatory employee and City contributions. Please visit the for more information on PERS.
01
As part of your application process, a cover letter is required. The cover letter should address the following:

1. Why are you interested in the position, and why is this position the next right step for you in your career?
2. Provide a brief summary of your education, experience and qualifications for this position.

Have you attached the required document?

• Yes
• No

02
Do you have or are you willing to obtain a Washington State drivers license and provide a 3-year driving history prior to hire?

• Yes
• No

03
Are you willing and able to accept schedule changes as necessary, and willing to accept "call out" status for emergency situations?

• Yes
• No

04
Do you have, or are you willing to obtain, an Engineer-In-Training certification within 6 months of hire?
05
Do you have a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

06
If you answered 'No' to the question above, please describe your equivalent combination of education and experience.
If no relevant degree, equivalent years of experience in the engineering field shown in application should equal 4 years of full time work.
07
Describe your education, experience and qualifications that provide you the ability to review plans, specifications, and engineering drawings and compare them to construction in progress.
08
Describe your education, experience, and qualifications in regards to knowledge of basic civil engineering design for streets and utilities.
09
Describe your education and experience in engineering technology, system design, and/or drafting to include any computer software experience.
10
Describe your experience and expertise with technical engineering support duties (for example gathering information, maintaining computerized and manual records, and involvement with transportation, utilities, survey, permit review, inspection, drafting, etc).
Required Question