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Job Description
Description
Are you ready to make a lasting impact on the future of natural gas infrastructure? If you're eager to contribute your expertise to a forward-thinking, locally owned utility committed to sustainability and community service, this is the opportunity for you!
The City of Palo Alto Utilities is the only city in California that offers a full range of utility services to its citizens and businesses. This gives the City a unique opportunity to collaborate with the Palo Alto community, providing homegrown, reliable, and environmentally focused utilities. With over 100 years of successful public utility operations, Palo Alto continues its tradition of delivering safe services, local decision-making on policies, utility rate-setting, environmental programs, and tailored solutions for the community. Join the City as a Project Engineer, where you'll shape safety standards, lead innovative projects, and ensure the efficiency of vital gas systems for our community!
Career Opportunity
The Project Engineer reports to the Principal Engineer of the Gas Group within the Water-Gas-Wastewater (WGW) Engineering and Operations Division. In this role, you will manage public contracts, oversee Capital Improvement Projects for natural gas distribution facilities, and assist with safety inspections conducted by state and federal regulators. You'll also contribute to the development of WGW Utility Standards, support Engineering and Operations staff, and create engineering designs for natural gas distribution system improvements using programs such as AutoCAD, GIS, and Synergi Gas. Additional responsibilities include researching as-built information, recording data, and collecting GPS survey data for existing facilities.
The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:- Strong technical background in natural gas distribution or transmission engineering principles
- A B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution
- At least 10 years of experience in natural gas distribution or transmission
- Experience with interpreting and applying the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically Title 49, Parts 190, 191, 192, and 199
- In-depth knowledge of natural gas distribution or transmission operations and maintenance procedures
- Proficiency in AutoCAD and other industry-standard drafting tools and techniques
- Strong foundational drafting skills
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
Embark on this rewarding career. Apply today!
Benefits: The City offers a fantastic benefits package that includes affordable healthcare plans, generous retirement packages, paid parental leave, convenient commuter programs and more !
Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan. To learn more, clic k here .
Schedule: 9/80 work schedule (with every other Friday off).
This is a continuous recruitment and may remain open until filled.
The initial review of applications will take place on April 7, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union position (SEIU).
Essential Duties
Positions allocated to this level in the Utilities Gas Engineering Section may additionally perform the following duties:- Provides gas distribution technical guidance to Engineers, Engineering Associates, and Engineering Assistants, as well as other departments and outside consultants on major projects.
- Implements gas distribution CIP projects and other safety improvements by working with contractors, consultants, other City departments, and Federal and State agencies.
- Performs field checks on in-progress and completed in-house and contract construction work to assure results.
- Conducts field inspections on CIP projects to ensure Utility Standards and project plans are adhered to by contractors.
- Develops utilities materials standards, equipment specifications, and operating procedures.
- Uses hydraulic models as a tool for gas distribution system planning and recommends system improvements.
- Assures that the efforts and activities of private consultants are utilized efficiently and effectively.
- Handles complaints and/or inquiries about projects in a professional manner.
- Writes, reviews, and edits Staff Reports to City Council and engineering reports.
- Other duties as assigned.
For full job description, click here .
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:- Bachelor of Science degree in civil, mechanical, or other approved engineering curriculum and equivalent to four years increasingly responsible engineering experience.
- PE Certificate or Master's Degree in Engineering may be considered in lieu of one year of experience.
- Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California, or ability to obtain registration within one year of appointment to the classification; or registration as a professional architect in the State of California.
- Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Supplemental Information
The Selection Process:- Candidates may be considered for the Engineer or Associate Engineer role based on qualifications. This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy.
- Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text (please enroll in text alerts when applying).
- Updates can also be found on your governmentjobs.com account.
- The selection process for this position may include questionnaire, virtual interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
For technical issues applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government.
We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
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