Principal Engineer- Watershed Restoration Group

Salary : $72,975.00 - $113,112.00 Annually
Location : Durham, NC
Job Type: Full time with benefits
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 23-04478
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 09/01/2023
Closing Date: Continuous
Position Description
Work. Serve. Thrive. With the City of Durham
Advance in your career while making a real difference in the community you serve.
Hiring Range: $72,975.00 - $113,112.00
Hours: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Top-notch management, highly qualified, competent staff and opportunities for career advancement and professional success make the City of Durham's a great place to work. We create the foundation on which Durham is built, using innovative methods that support the City's growth and enhance our quality of life. If growing professionally while serving your community is for you, bring your skills to Durham!
This position will work in the Stormwater Division of the Public Works Department and will serve as an Principal Engineer in the Watershed Restoration Group. The primary purpose of this position is to manage and implement water quality improvement projects for Watershed Improvement Plans, stormwater retrofits, green stormwater infrastructure, and stream restoration. Knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, and stormwater control measures through education and/or experience is required. Strong verbal and written communication skills are needed for coordination with other City departments, public involvement, and contractors. Solid organization and administrative skills are required to track multiple projects and document project status. Working knowledge of databases (Excel/Access) and ArcGIS is needed in the fulfillment of job duties. Other duties include providing administrative support, technical support, contractual support, attending meetings, and other duties as assigned.
Devoted to providing engineering support, inspection, and professional civil engineering for a variety of public works, utilities, and storm water projects in the Public Works Department Stormwater Division Watershed Restoration Group. Perform fully proficient advanced engineering work in planning, design, construction, contract development and coordination of projects requiring independent evaluation and analysis of issues and the exercise of judgment. Decision-making includes selecting the method to address a problem or issue, subject to the constraints established by management objectives and direction. As assigned, work may include providing professional engineering work in the management and coordination of public works and infrastructure projects, stormwater projects (including but not limited to retrofits, green stormwater infrastructure, and stream restorations), GIS mapping systems, grading and erosion control projects.
Responsible for administering contracts; managing projects and tasks; assisting with the coordination of, and attending public meetings; completing special projects; researching, analyzing and compiling information to recommend engineering solutions and prepare reports and presentations; overseeing data-gathering and data analysis; assisting with grant applications and management; reviewing development plans; drafting agreements; drafting ordinances and council communications; performing field inspections; developing technical specifications; coordinating procurement processes; and maintaining records.
Duties/Responsibilities

• Manages projects, programs, and assigned department operations; develops and administers contracts; develops operational policies and procedures; establishes project and unit goals; develops project scope, budgets, and schedules; trains staff; improves safety and operational processes; and assists with preparing applications for and managing grants.
• Oversees data collection and analysis; conducts engineering studies; creates work plans and processes, identifying locations/areas requiring improvement; recommends and implements engineering and safety solutions; and tracks post-implementation project progress and requirements.
• Performs field inspections and monitors operations to ensure compliance with safety and other applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Prepares, reviews, and analyzes engineering plans and bids, drawings, reports, contracts, agreements, presentations, specifications, request for proposals/qualifications, and other documentation; drafts ordinances and City Council communications; coordinates the review of and/or reviews design submittals from internal and external staff; develops technical specifications; and maintains records, logs, and databases.
• Assists with the coordination of and/or attends public meetings; provides technical expertise and consultation to City departments and external agencies; and provides training.
• Designs, implements, and evaluates special projects; may create drawings and plans as required.
• As assigned, an incumbent may serve as a lead worker, assigning work and monitoring work completion, or supervise paraprofessional and support staff, to include conducting performance evaluations; coordinating training; and implementing hiring, discipline, and termination procedures.
• Managing watershed planning project for water quality improvement.
• Perform stream restoration and stormwater control measure (include green stormwater infrastructure) retrofit evaluations and designs.
• Manage stream restoration, stormwater control measure and green stormwater infrastructure projects.
• Apply for and manage stormwater grants.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a directly related field.
• Five years of professional engineering experience in the area of assignment.
• A North Carolina Professional Engineer Registration or equivalent as determined by the City.
• A valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record acquired within a time frame established by the City.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Two years of experience in the development and management of watershed plans and the implementation of those plans is preferred.
• Experience in or with municipalities is preferred.
• Experience reading and interpreting complex engineering plans.
• professional or technical experience in watershed planning or stormwater retrofits.
• Experience with design, construction and maintenance of stormwater control measures, green infrastructure or stream restorations.
• Proficient in MS Excel.
• experience level with Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience with data entry software such as MUNIS, OnBase, Microsoft Access, or similar software preferred.

Benefits - General Full-Time Employees

• 11-12 paid holidays per year
• 12 standard work days of vacation per year
• 12 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
• 2 weeks paid military leave per year
• Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
• State and City retirement plans
• Short and long term disability plans
• Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
• City contribution of 10.15% into the N.C. State Retirement System
• Paid funeral leave
• Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
• Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
• 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
• 4 hours parental leave each year
• Workman's Compensation Insurance
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plans

Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan

Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period)

• 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
• State retirement plan
• Health Insurance

01
Where did you first hear about this opportunity?

• City of Durham Website
• Walk in
• Job fair
• Employee referral
• Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***
• Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***
• Craig's List
• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• GlassDoor
• governmentjobs.com
• Monster.com
• Indeed.com
• Employment Security Commission
• Magazine/Newspaper
• Other

02
If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03
Please select your highest level of COMPLETED education.

• Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
• High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• PhD or Juris Doctorate

04
Please indicate the academic focus/concentration of your degree (bachelor's or advanced): If no degree, please put N/A
05
Do you hold a Professional Engineer License?

• Yes
• No

06
If you answered yes to the question above, please provide your license number and state. If no license, please put N/A.
07
How many years of related engineering and/or project management experience do you have?

• No related experience
• Less than 1 year of related experience
• 1 year but less than 3 years related experience
• 3 years but less than 5 years related experience
• 5 or more years related experience

08
How many years of experience do you have with data entry software such as MUNIS, OnBase, Microsoft Access, or other similar software? (if other, please include on resume or cover letter).

• No related experience
• Less than 1 year of related experience
• 1 year but less than 3 years related experience
• 3 years but less than 5 years related experience
• 5 or more years related experience

09
How would you rate your skill level with reading and interpreting complex engineering plans?

• No experience
• Beginner Level - Can perform quantity take offs, discern symbols and annotation
• Intermediate Level - Can perform at beginner level and additionally can evaluate plans for completeness and correctness
• Advanced Level - Can perform at Intermediate level and additionally can suggest plan changes to optimize costs, schedule, and efficiency.

10
How many years do you have of professional or technical experience in watershed planning or stormwater retrofits?

• No related experience
• Less than 1 year of related experience
• 1 year but less than 3 years related experience
• 3 years but less than 5 years related experience
• 5 or more years related experience

11
How many years do you have of design, construction and maintenance of stormwater control measures, green infrastructure or stream restorations?

• No related experience
• Less than 1 year of related experience
• 1 year but less than 3 years related experience
• 3 years but less than 5 years related experience
• 5 or more years related experience

12
How would you rate your experience level with Excel?

• No experience
• Beginner level
• Intermediate level
• Advanced level
• Expert level

13
How would you rate your experience level with Geographical Information Systems (GIS)?

• No experience
• Beginner level
• Intermediate level
• Advanced level
• Expert level

14
How many years of supervisory experience do you have?

• No supervisory experience
• Some supervisory experience but less than 1 year
• 1 year experience but less than 3 years
• 3 years experience but less than 5 years
• 5 or more years supervisory experience

Required Question