Engineering Technician - I

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Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

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For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To perform a variety of sub-professional field and office engineering, architectural support services, building system engineering and construction project management work, including construction and drainage inspection, plan checking, contract administration, project monitoring, materials testing, surveying, encroachment permitting, traffic engineering, and transportation planning; to ensure compliance with various laws, regulations, and standards relative to public works projects; and to provide information and assistance to the public in person, by telephone, or in the field.

This is the entry level class in the Engineering Technician series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Receives immediate supervision from professional engineering staff and may receive technical and functional supervision from higher level technical staff.

• Perform support to project management, technical administration and construction inspection of public works and capital improvements projects performed either by County contract 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.
• Compute and check tentative and final subdivision maps, survey maps and other engineering documents; assist in review of minor land division applications; review grading and drainage plans; assist in the preparation of designs, plans, and specifications for construction, alteration and maintenance of public works projects; and verify cost estimates and right-of-way.
• Maintain a variety of project records and files including payments, and labor and equipment usage; prepare and submit progress reports and initiate and process progress payments; perform routine engineering computations and assist in verifying compliance with contract and technical requirements; recommend revisions as appropriate.
• 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; and may collect fees and cash deposits.
• Provide engineering support for projects in the areas of right-of-way research and location, drainage and design, and assist in contacting private property owners in conjunction with these projects.
• Provide support to professional staff for projects in the areas of building systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety systems, low voltage security and alarms, building automation systems, energy efficiency and conservation and related fields.
• 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.
• Assist in conducting traffic counts and speed studies; assist in review of road safety problems and analysis of accident sites; provide assistance to traffic sign and striping crews in designing layouts and sign placements.
• Under supervision, assist in conducting energy consumption analyses, assist in building systems assessments and preparation of reports including life cycle cost analyses, maintenance and operations of building systems and computer-based facility and project management software.
• 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, project 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.
• Explain laws, regulations and requirements to the public; establish and maintain records and record keeping systems; prepare documentation, correspondence, and reports; file mandated periodic reports; perform drafting tasks as required; calculate various fees; and maintain up-to-date databases and accounting records.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

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: No experience is required.

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, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• When assigned to materials testing duties, possession of certification for use of a nuclear gauge; when assigned to State or Federally funded projects, possession of certification to perform required tests.
• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position and in accordance with California Vehicle Code.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of engineering, architectural design and/or construction project management as applied to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of public works projects.
• Basic surveying principles and equipment, depending on assignment.
• Basic principles and practices of drafting, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Building Information Modeling (BIM), depending on assignment.
• Mathematics, including algebra, geometry and trigonometry.
• Computer software including word processing, spread sheet, database, project scheduling and project management applications.
• Record keeping techniques for maintaining technical and accounting data.
• Basic methods and materials used in building construction with an emphasis on commercial applications, depending on assignment.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• Learn to perform a broad range of sub-professional engineering work including construction and drainage inspection, plan checking, project monitoring, materials testing, surveying, encroachment permitting, traffic engineering and transportation planning.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand basic operations, and observe safety rules.  Intermittently analyze work papers, reports and special projects; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve sub-professional engineering activities; identify, locate and operate equipment; understand work assignments; and learn to explain laws, codes, regulations and requirements to individuals less technically knowledgeable.
• Sit at desk for long periods of time; and stand at counter to answer questions from the public. Intermittently, sit while studying or preparing work papers, making computations, working at computer equipment; walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist while performing field work; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; see and hear sufficiently to communicate by visual and auditory signals while working in the field; regularly lift very heavy weight.
• Learn to understand and interpret maps, plans, specifications and contracts.
• Learn methods of financing and allocating costs for public works improvement projects.
• Learn principles and practices of traffic engineering and transportation planning, depending on assignment.
• Make accurate mathematical calculations and solve mathematical problems related to sub-professional engineering work.
• Prepare simple detailing and representations; make sketches and drawings of field conditions/installations.
• Use basic surveying tools and equipment, depending on assignment.
• Learn to use materials testing equipment, depending on assignment.
• Use computer software applications for report writing and record-keeping; learn to use computer software for technical analysis and modeling applications.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interview; effectively handle multiple assignments; work with interruption; and to deal firmly and courteously with the public.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• Drive a light truck and operate a two-way radio; use a camera and basic hand tools.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.