Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Principal Civil Engineer (#20003224)


General Statement

Performs supervisory and administrative professional engineering work in the design, maintenance and construction of sewage collection, flood control and sewage treatment facilities.

Essential Job Functions

Essential job functions are fundamental, core functions common to positions in a classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are designed to be descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents may complete one or all of the job duties listed or tasks of similar kind not specifically listed here.

  • Supervises or participates in the preparation of designs, layouts and specifications for water reclamation plants and related facilities; oversees or participates in the review of contractor submittals for conformance with established criteria; prepares or reviews cost estimates.
  • Plans, directs and supervises the construction of treatment plant, flood control and pumping station facilities; oversees construction and material inspections and assists resident engineers in securing conformity to plans and specifications; provides solutions to problems encountered during construction; reviews and approves progress reports.
  • Supervises the Field Services Section in the conduct of engineering surveys and right-of-way procurement.  
  • Directs the review and processing of permit applications and coordinates adherence to regulatory reporting requirements.  
  • Oversees the conduct of engineering studies, testing and evaluations; investigates and reports on new technologies relative to District facilities.
  • Prepares annual budget projections and reports; monitors expenditures and ensures proper budget utilization.
  • Prepares correspondence and reports on maintenance, repair and operations within area of responsibility; confers with other District personnel, developers and agency representatives to provide technical advice, coordinate efforts or resolve problems.
  • Assigns, supervises and reviews work; ensures staff compliance with district policies and procedures including Personnel Rules and Administrative Procedures; completes performance reviews; addresses employee complaints and grievances; may recommend employment actions such as hiring, transfer, suspension, promotion or discharge.

Other Job Functions

  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Environmental Conditions

May involve exposure to a variety of operating mechanical equipment and loud noise and/or noxious odors.  May include working in all types of weather conditions throughout the plant facility and collection system. Typical office environment.  May use standard office equipment and computer terminals. May involve working in close proximity to or in conjunction with construction activities and heavy equipment, and may require exposure to a variety of weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Extensive knowledge of professional civil engineering criteria as it applies to the construction, operation and maintenance of sewage treatment plant facilities, sewage collection systems and flood control systems.
  • Extensive knowledge of engineering design principles, especially hydraulic, hydrologic and soil considerations. 
  • Thorough knowledge of the supervisory principles involved in directing professional and sub-professional engineers.
  • Thorough knowledge of the proper surveying techniques necessary to assure the legality of right-of-way and other real property requirements of the District. 
  • Thorough knowledge of recent developments, current literature and sources of information in civil engineering.
  • Considerable knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of wastewater engineering.
  • Ability to supervise and direct administrative functions such as cost analysis, contract records and payments, and materials procurement and control.
  • Ability to understand and interpret details of civil engineering design criteria and specifications.  
  • Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
  • Ability to develop detailed specifications, reports and designs from general outline assignments.

Absolute Requirements

Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from a four-year accredited college or university majoring in chemical, civil, environmental, sanitary, or structural engineering and  six years of full-time, post-degree civil engineering experience.  Four years of this experience must have been in work related to the District's activities, and one year of experience must have been in the supervision of degreed engineers.

Substitution

Full-time graduate study in the designated fields of engineering may be substituted for the required non-supervisory experience on a year-for-year basis to a maximum of two years.

Promotional Requirement

  • One year of service with the District as a Senior Civil Engineer or Senior Structural Engineer; or, possession of a bachelor’s degree in chemical, civil, environmental, sanitary or structural engineering and one year of service with the District as a Senior Engineer, Senior Electrical Engineer, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Senior Process Control Engineer, Senior Environmental Research Scientist or Senior Environmental Specialist. 
  • Civil service status in one of the foregoing classifications.

CLASS: 20003224; EST: 1/1/1900; REV: 5/1/2023;