Placer County

Engineering Technician - Senior (#11838)

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$37.64-$47.01 Hourly / $6,524.27-$8,148.40 Monthly / $78,291.20-$97,780.80 Yearly

DEFINITION

To perform difficult and complex sub-professional field and office engineering, architectural, building system engineering, and construction project management work; to ensure compliance with various laws, regulations, and standards relative to community development and public works projects; to perform field inspection duties; and to provide information and assistance to the public.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey level class in the Engineering Technician series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, and independence of action taken. Employees in this classification perform the more difficult and responsible duties assigned to classes within this series requiring specialized knowledge and abilities, including acting in a lead capacity. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned areas of responsibility.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from professional engineering and/or management staff. May exercise technical and functional supervision over technical and clerical staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Perform difficult and complex technical support work for project management, technical administration, and construction inspection of public works, capital improvements, engineering, and surveying projects performed by the County or through private contracts; review and make recommendations regarding contract compliance; maintain and prepare project records, change orders, submittals, and all required records and reports.
  • Perform complex computations and checks for tentative and final subdivision maps, survey maps, and other engineering documents.
  • Assist in the review of minor land division applications, grading plans, and drainage plans.
  • Assist in the review of plans and specifications for complex Specific Plan projects; estimate construction costs; coordinate, attend, and participate in pre-construction conferences; provide recommendations for acceptance of new municipal roadways and related facilities. 
  • Perform construction inspection duties and site inspections, including land grading operations and complex Specific Plan projects and site inspections during the construction of contracted improvements, including roads, sanitary sewer systems, storm drainage systems, and traffic signal installations.
  • Observe and inspect construction of roadway infrastructure improvements to ensure compliance with approved plans and specifications; notify project manager of potential safety concerns.
  • Coordinate routine materials and field tests to assure quality of materials and work. 
  • Investigate and resolve complaints relating to construction and grading projects. 
  • Assist in the preparation of designs, plans, and specifications for construction, alteration, and maintenance of public works projects; verify cost estimates and right-of-way; perform inspections as needed. 
  • Under supervision, prepare Computer Aided Design (CAD) or Building Information Modeling (BIM) scale drawings such as floor plans, elevations, and sections; prepare project cost estimates and materials lists; obtain samples and catalogs from product manufacturers. 
  • Perform routine engineering computations; assist in verifying compliance with contract and technical requirements; recommend revisions as appropriate. 
  • Provide support to professional staff, conduct building systems assessments, and prepare reports for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety systems, low voltage security and alarms, building automation systems, energy efficiency and conservation, and related projects. 
  • Interpret maps and apply regulatory data in preparing flood zone determinations; investigate drainage and grading complaints; document code enforcement activities and issue permits. 
  • Collect and prepare various construction samples for testing; perform tests in the field and laboratory and perform inspections to determine compliance with construction documents; compile and analyze test data and prepare reports. 
  • Perform field surveying duties; determine lines, bearings, elevations, distances, grades, and cross sections; set slope and grade stakes; maintain field notes and perform mathematical calculations as necessary; make field sketches and drawings; maintain survey instruments; may act as survey chief as required. 
  • Determine, coordinate, investigate, and enforce encroachment permit conditions; perform inspections to ensure against encroachment without permit; issue permits, including permits for extra legal loads; design permits as required for special or one-time situations; collect fees and cash deposits. 
  • Provide engineering support for projects in the areas of right-of-way research and location, drainage, and design; assist in contacting private property owners in conjunction with these projects. 
  • Assist in conducting traffic counts and speed studies; assist in review of road safety problems and analysis of accident sites; assist traffic sign and striping crews in designing layouts and sign placements. 
  • Assist in calculating traffic generation and distribution resulting from projected development activities in accordance with the County General Plan and Zoning Ordinance; assist in the construction and calibration of traffic models and estimate future traffic demands; assist in determining anticipated road network improvements, including use of computer models; prepare project schedules, budgets, computer-based project management, and cost estimates for improvement projects; assist in the preparation of financing plans including cost analyses, fee programs, and implementation ordinances. 
  • Create and maintain a variety of project records and files including change orders, submittals, payments, and labor and equipment usage; prepare and submit progress reports and initiate and process progress payments. 
  • Explain laws, regulations, and requirements to the public. 
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, and the public using principles of effective customer service. 
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both an indoor office environment with controlled temperature conditions and in the field requiring travel to various locations throughout the County in a variety of outdoor weather conditions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Experience: Two (2) years of journey level experience performing duties similar to an Engineering Technician II with Placer County. 

Training: Equivalent to an associate's degree from an accredited college with major course work in engineering technology; architectural design; construction management; project management related to engineering, architecture, or construction; surveying; or a related field. 

Required License or Certificate:
  • May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:
  • Principles and practices of engineering, architectural design, and construction project management as applied to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of community development and public works projects. 
  • Construction materials, methods, techniques, and equipment. 
  • Principles and practices of plan checking. 
  • Field surveying principles, practices, and equipment used in construction and site inspections. 
  • Technical traffic engineering and transportation planning principles.  
  • Principles and practices of work safety and traffic control as applied to community development and public works field inspection activities. 
  • Principles and practices of drafting, Computer Aided Design (CAD), and Building Information Modeling (BIM).
  • Mathematics as applied to land surveying and construction methods and practices. 
  • Methods of financing and allocating costs for community development and public works improvement projects. 
  • Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations. 
  • Record keeping techniques for maintaining technical and accounting data. 
  • Modern office procedures, methods, computer equipment, and software programs, including word processing, spreadsheet, database, project scheduling, and project management applications. 
  • Principles and practices of work safety.
Ability to:
  • On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; read, analyze, understand, identify, recall, interpret, and explain technical and numerical information, work papers, reports, special projects, rules, laws, codes, and regulations; observe and problem solve sub-professional engineering activities and procedures; apply related rules, laws, codes, and regulations; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time; maintain awareness of safety at all times; observe safety rules and identify safety hazards. 
  • On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or in meetings for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, balance, bend, squat, climb, crouch, kneel, reach, push, pull, and twist to reach equipment surrounding desk and to perform field work; perform simple and power grasping and fine manipulation; speak, use telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate; see, hear, smell, and distinguish between colors and shades of colors with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; lift very heavy weight. 
  • Perform a broad range of sub-professional engineering work, including construction and drainage inspection, plan checking, project monitoring, surveying, encroachment permitting, traffic engineering, and transportation planning. 
  • Read, understand, and interpret maps, plans, specifications, and contracts. 
  • Recognize faulty materials, equipment, and workmanship. 
  • Understand, analyze, and interpret maps, plans, specifications, contracts, and reports. 
  • Make accurate mathematical calculations and solve mathematical problems related to sub-professional engineering work. 
  • Prepare detailing and representations; make sketches and drawings of field conditions and installations. 
  • Use basic surveying tools and equipment. 
  • Safely operate a County vehicle and/or light truck in all weather conditions; analyze driving conditions and identify safety hazards. 
  • Operate a two-way radio; use a camera and basic hand tools. 
  • Obtain information through interview; work firmly and courteously with the public. 
  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine proper course of action. 
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. 
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:

All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more. 

Bargaining Unit: 

General 

FLSA Status: 

Non-Exempt
CLASS: 11838; EST: 7/23/2024;