Sr. Engineering Technician

DESCRIPTION

Performs paraprofessional and technical engineering work in assigned area of responsibility including, but not limited to, drafting, filing, and retrieval of information; engineering design, land development, traffic engineering, utility engineering, and capital improvements; provides technical assistance to engineering personnel and direction to contractors, consultants, developers, and the public regarding City standards and applicable laws, rules, and regulations; and performs field engineering work involving surveying and inspections as requested.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Senior Technician

Positions at this level perform the most difficult duties; possess a specialized technical or functional expertise. Incumbents are assigned significant responsibilities above the advanced journey level, possess specialized knowledge, abilities, skills and experience, and exercise independent judgment and initiative in the performance of their duties. Positions in this class may be flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Engineering Technician II class.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Draft maps, engineering plans, charts, diagrams, graphs, tables, and sketches for engineering division and departmental projects.
• Update and revise engineering drawings detailing sewer, water, storm drain, street lighting, and traffic systems.

• Review and prepare legal descriptions related to grant deeds and lot line changes.

• Prepare a variety of maps and exhibits for the Planning Commission, City Council and other occasional meetings.

• Maintain drafting records and files.

• Provide City staff and the public with information as requested including legal descriptions of parcels, address verification, property ownership, assessor's parcel numbers, zoning designations, easements, flood zone status, public right-of-way, property jurisdiction and assessment districts as able.

• Perform a variety of special projects involving graphic design and illustration for maps and exhibits.

Engineering Technician II/Senior

• Perform professional and technical engineering work relative to assigned area of responsibility, including but not limited to, design, traffic, land development, and/or capital improvements.

• Design and prepare routine to complex plans and specifications for public works projects including pumping stations, streets, storm drains, sewer lines, and related projects; research project design requirements; perform calculations and prepare estimates of time and material costs.

• Develop revised design and construction standards for public works structures and appurtenances.

• Investigate field problems affecting property owners, contractors, and maintenance operations; resolve problems or refer as appropriate.

• Administer contracts and project requirements and standards; define and negotiate contract changes; coordinate and review the work of outside consultants; apply project management principles to ensure projects are completed in accordance with established schedules, funding source requirements and budgets review and recommend all payments and billing for contracted services related to assigned projects.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE & TRAINING / LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Engineering Technician Sr.

Six years of increasingly responsible and varied paraprofessional engineering experience, three years of which are comparable to an Engineering Technician II with the City of Palmdale.

Training:

Engineering Technician Sr.

Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college with major course work in civil engineering or a related field.

Licenses/Certifications/Other Requirements:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license and the ability to be insured with the City's insurance carrier is required.

Possession of an Engineer-In-Training Certificate issued by the State of California is highly desirable.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Terminology, methods, practices and techniques of drafting.
• Principles of algebra, geometry and trigonometry and their application to engineering.
• Cartographic methodology; scale representation on maps.
• Surveying techniques and practices.
• Applicable equipment and instruments used in drafting and surveying.
• Office equipment used for reproducing maps, charts and other graphics.
• Engineering maps and records.
• Modern office methods and practices.

Engineering Technician II - In addition to the requirements for the Engineering Technician I

• Principles and practices of engineering as applied to public works, utilities, transportation or land development.
• Terminology, methods, practices and techniques used in technical engineering work.
• Applicable laws and regulatory codes relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in engineering construction.

Engineering Technician Sr - In addition to the requirements for the Engineering Technician II

• Applicable laws and regulatory codes relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Learn and understand City engineering policies and procedures.
• Methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of public works and utilities projects.
• Modern standards of alignment, grade, and compaction of streets.
• Topographic and construction surveying.
• Strengths, properties and uses of engineering construction materials.
• Principles and practices of data collection, interpretation and presentation and technical report writing.
• Principles and practices of project cost estimating and project management.
• Modeling techniques.
• Principles and practices of reviewing plans and specifications to ensure compliance with pertinent local, State and Federal laws, regulations and codes.
• Basic engineering hydraulics as used in sewer and storm water facilities.

Ability to:

• Perform routine engineering and mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy.
• Perform routine engineering drafting work.
• Reduce, interpret and apply field notes in performance of drafting duties.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions and sketches.
• Read, interpret and check plans, specifications and legal property descriptions.
• Learn to read, interpret and apply property descriptions.
• Use and care for drafting, surveying, and mechanical instruments, tools and equipment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Engineering Technician II

• Prepare plans and drawings neatly and accurately.
• Calculate engineering design computations and check, design, and prepare engineering plans and studies.
• Learn and understand City engineering policies and procedures.
• Learn applicable laws and regulatory codes applicable to areas of assigned responsibility.
• Prepare reports encompassing raw technical data; make effective cost estimates and recommendations.

Engineering Technician Sr

• Administer contracts and coordinate and review the work of outside consultants.
• Design common engineering structures and facilities.
• Use drafting and surveying instruments to prepare maps, plans, cross-sections and profiles.
• Prepare quantity and cost estimates and write contract specifications.
• Prepare legal descriptions and complete accurate and concise plans, specifications and cost estimates.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Physical Demands:

Mobility: frequent standing for long periods of time; occasional walking on uneven terrain; frequent bending and squatting; use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing.

Lifting: frequently up to 50 pounds; occasionally up to 75 pounds.

Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental: frequent exposure to noise; occasional exposure to chemicals, fumes, and other environmental substances.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is often performed in an outdoor construction environment with year-round exposure to varying weather conditions. Work is subject to construction site noise and environment including exposure to loud equipment and machinery.

Positions may require occasional overtime, weekend work and travel is rare.

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home."

Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS: Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION: The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance division.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

CREDIT UNION: F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.

INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

*Benefits can change at any time.

Closing Date/Time: 12/9/2024 12:00 AM Pacific

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• City of Palmdale

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