City and County of San Francisco

The Engineer/Architect/Landscape Architect-Senior is distinguished from the journey level classes in the particular discipline by its higher level management and policy making responsibility on technical matters. This class is distinguished from the principal level classification in the corresponding discipline by the latter's administrative and management responsibilities for the activities of a major section or group of units within a major engineering, architecture or landscape architecture operation.

For the Engineering specialty, the focus is on highly technical and administrative functions in connection with the engineering design, construction, operation and maintenance of projects and systems.

For the Architecture specialty, the focus is on architectural design and related activities necessary for the construction, inspection, and maintenance of public buildings.
For the Landscape Architecture specialty the focus is on large-scale landscape architectural design and construction of major landscape projects in connection with City streets, parks, benches, and historical monuments.

Supervises professional and sub-professional engineers/architects/landscape architects, technicians, inspectors, surveyors, and other related personnel by assigning, monitoring, and evaluating work assignments. This senior level classification may manage the personnel of an entire engineering, architecture, and/or landscape architecture unit or work group.

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this class(es) and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Directs, supervises and coordinates the design of complex engineering/architecture/landscape architecture projects, ensuring that codes, standards, and project requirements are met; plans and develops projects, budgets and staff for a wide variety of design activities.

2. Interviews, selects, trains, monitors, and evaluates departmental staff and consultants to ensure that work methods and work flow are effective; assures that written performance goals and objectives are prepared for employees; monitors the work of and evaluates, counsels and disciplines subordinate staff as necessary; and reviews and approves technical training programs for staff.

3. Plans, organizes and directs the administration and management of contracts; reviews, evaluates and makes recommendations for and/or approves contracts, contract modifications, specifications, related documents, and the settlement of claims.

4. Directs, supervises and reviews the preparation of complex construction contract and construction documents by establishing priorities, assigning tasks, allocating resources and monitoring progress to assure quality and cost effective performance of design work. Prepares and supervises the preparation of difficult and complex design drawings, specifications, and quantity and cost estimates.

5. Establishes and implements departmental policies, procedures and administrative directives in accordance with applicable laws, ordinances, codes, standards, rules, regulations, and legislative policies and procedures by interpreting, explaining, monitoring, and evaluating the functional activities of the organization.

6. Manages projects through planning, scheduling and monitoring critical milestones to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

7. Directs, reviews and supervises the review of shop drawings by contractors and other work of professional consulting firms employed to design various projects. Checks and reviews specifications, estimates and computations prepared by consultants and subordinate staff                 members.

8. Supervises field inspection staff working on projects under construction and proposed projects to assure conformance with plans and specifications and initiates new projects. May participate in field inspections when necessary.

9. Coordinates all activities between a unit and other sections, bureaus, departments, outside agencies, and consultants and/or contractors.

10. Consults with technical staff, public officials, and others to resolve differences among professional personnel; identifies problems, develops and compares alternatives and makes decisions or recommendations for effective problem resolution.

11. Conducts meetings and makes presentations to Boards, Commissions, committees, approval agencies, staff and the general public for the purpose of providing accurate information, explaining policies, and providing recommendations and/or solutions.

12. Represents the City and consults with government officials, business and civic organizations in connection with specific departmental issues.

13. Writes, and/or reviews and approves letters, reports, memos, recommendations, routine correspondence and other documents.

14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Principles and practices of engineering [civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, sanitary, environmental, or transportation (traffic)], architecture, or landscape architecture including Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, codes, standards, rules, and regulations applicable to the planning and design, construction, operation and maintenance work of projects and systems; and principles of organizational/team management, personnel management and supervision.

Engineering positions require comprehensive knowledge of engineering design, construction, site development and techniques of drawings.

Architecture positions require comprehensive knowledge of architectural design, building construction and site development, graphic arts, and the techniques of drawings.

Landscape architecture positions require knowledge of landscape architecture, design, and landscape construction methods; trees, shrubs and plants both native and cultivated, best adapted to landscaping in various parts of California; California soil conditions; problems encountered in streets and building locations; and soil preparation, planting and pruning techniques and tree surgery.

Ability to: Plan, schedule, direct, motivate, train, monitor and evaluate the work of professional and technical personnel; apply sound engineering, architectural or landscape architectural theory to practical design problems; budget for staffing and for capital and major maintenance projects; oversee complex projects, studies and processes; ensure adherence to established policies and procedures; train and develop subordinates in professional and technical areas and procedural changes; utilize resources, such as staff, budget and contractors, to resolve problems and expedite project goals; interact tactfully and courteously with co-workers, subordinates, department heads, members of Boards, Commissions, agencies and the general public to promote and maintain productive working relationships; handle difficult and sometimes hostile situations; convey technical ideas and information in a clear and concise manner to be understood by listeners with varying ability to understand technical language; consult with or make presentations to department personnel, officials, consultants, committees, clients and community groups; read, review, evaluate and interpret technical materials, research reports, and scientific studies; organize written information in a logical sequence to prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, contracts and other documents to support project activity; analyze and investigate complex design problems and determine an effective course of action for resolution; gather, review and analyze information from a variety of sources; establish sound conclusions or logical recommendations with consideration of the ramifications and impact of decisions; and prepare clear and concise professional and technical evaluations, correspondence and reports.

Skill in: Driving a motor vehicle.

Engineering Specialty:
Experience: Seven (7) years of verifiable professional engineering (e.g. civil, mechanical, electrical, sanitary/chemical/environmental, or transportation /traffic) work experience of which four (4) years of that experience must be as a licensed professional engineer. Two (2) of the seven (7) years must be equivalent to the City and County of San Francisco class 5241 Engineer.

Architecture Specialty:
Experience: Eight (8) years of verifiable professional architecture work experience of which four (4) years of that experience must be as a licensed professional architect. Two (2) of the eight (8) years must be equivalent to the City and County of San Francisco class 5268 Architect.

Landscape Architecture Specialty:
Experience: Eight (8) years of verifiable professional landscape architecture work experience of which four (4) years of that experience must be as a licensed professional landscape architect. Two (2) of the eight (8) years must be equivalent to the City and County of San Francisco class 5274 Landscape Architect.

All Specialties:
Training: Requires possession of a baccalaureate degree with major course work in engineering, architecture and/or landscape architecture.

All positions require possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Engineer, Architect or Landscape Architect in the State of California.
Most positions require a valid driver's license.

Substitution: A Master's Degree in Engineering, Architecture or Landscape Architecture may substitute for one-year work experience. A Ph. D. in Engineering, Architecture or Landscape Architecture may substitute for two years work experience.

Notes:
Engineering Specialty:
Engineering certification must be in one of the following disciplines: Civil, Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Environmental, or Transportation (Traffic). A Grade Four Certificate in Water/Wastewater Treatment Operation (CA) may substitute for one year of non-licensed work experience in the Sanitary specialty. Some engineering positions may require possession of a certificate issued by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), International Code Council (ICC) or an equivalent certifying body. 

Some positions may require additional special engineering licensing and/or work experience in areas such as Construction Management, Structural Design, Corrosion, Fire Protection, Geo-technical Engineering, Environmental, or Instrumentation and Control Systems. Additional specialty areas may be determined at a later time.