Job Title: Engineering Technician

Salary range: $65000 - $85000

Location: Othello

Department: City Engineering

Hours: Full Time

Job Description:

CITY OF OTHELLO
ENGINEERING (TECHNICIAN/ AIDE)
JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:                    Engineering (Technician/ Aide)                                      

REPORTS TO:              City Administrator

FLSA STATUS:             Exempt

CLASSIFICATION:        Non-Union

PREPARED BY:            Cameron Williamson, Engineering Technician                   DATE: July 10, 2024

APPROVED BY:           Shawn Logan, City Administrator                                        DATE: July 10, 2024

Position Overview

Othello is hiring a full-time Engineering Technician.  Primary duties include CADD drafting, plan reviews, permit coordination, and construction inspection of street, storm, sewer, water and associated improvements.

The City of Othello’s Vision is to be the most welcoming small town in the State of Washington where families and businesses grow and prosper.

Othello is a growing city of 8,880 anticipating additional residential, commercial, and industrial development in the coming years. Agriculture comprises the backbone of the economy, in the form of several large processing facilities. Othello is also a regional center, as the largest city between Moses Lake and the Tri-Cities going north-south, and Yakima and Pullman going east-west. Othello has contracted for engineering services in the past, but growth in the city and surrounding Adams County has created the opportunity to create this new position. Large engineering projects will continue to be contracted out, and the Engineering Technician will coordinate with the contracted engineering firm but will be responsible for reviewing and inspecting developer projects. The Engineering Technician is part of the Engineering Department, supervised by the City Engineer.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended only as examples of the various types of functions that may be performed.  The omission of specific duties and responsibilities does not exclude them from the position if work is similar, related or a reasonable assignment of the position.

1. Reviews construction plans and specifications for residential, commercial, industrial, and public development projects and land use permits for compliance with local, state, and federal requirements.
    
2. Performs inspections, including private development projects and construction work in City right-of-way and/or on private property. Inspects methods and materials used by contractors to construct all types of public improvements; ensure conformity with plans and specifications and intended results for constructing such improvements. Performs inspections for release of performance and maintenance bonds.
    
3. Prepares daily and final inspection reports; calculates and prepares field note records of contractor quantities and materials installed in the field; takes and files daily photos of assigned projects and monitors contractor operations and traffic control to ensure a safe work area.
    
4. Performs technical duties developing engineering drawings for public works projects using CADD.
    
5. Performs a variety of surveying assignments to obtain geographic, topographic, and other detailed information required for the design and construction of public works projects or private development.
6. Prepares City, state, and federal documents for administration of grants and loans.
   
   
7. Responds to questions from contractors, design professionals, and the public; review and respond to public requests and complaints; investigate issues involved and recommend appropriate actions.
   
   
8. In conjunction with the contracted engineering firm, assists in the preparation of plans and contract specifications for Public Works projects and assists during bidding and bid opening for these projects; monitors project progress and assists in directing of projects as required.
   
   
9. Ensures public is well notified of all public works construction projects prior to the start of work; keep public well notified during work in progress.
   
   
10. Reviews and approves invoices for payment within established timelines.
    
    
11. Reviews plans and inspects development projects for compliance with stormwater management codes and erosion control requirements.
    
    
12. Assists with preparation of easements and confirms legal descriptions are accurate; prepares and secures necessary easements for project construction.
    
    
13. Assists in the acquisition of rights-of-way and easements; understands franchise and right-of-way use permits and works with utility companies to ensure compliance; meets with the public and developers on related issues.
    
    
14. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with City staff, City officials, contractors, developers, other professionals, government agencies, and the public in a courteous and helpful manner sometimes in stressful situations.
    
    
15. Attends department-related meetings and training sessions during and outside of regular work hours. Attends pre-application and pre-construction meetings. Occasionally attends City Council and other meetings, acts as department or City representative, and serves on boards as assigned.
     
16. Coordinates efforts with other departments and the contracted engineering firm to ensure appropriate action and uniformity of interpretation, application and enforcement of regulations, standards, and codes.
     
17. Drives a personal or City vehicle to inspect sites and attend meetings.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Project management techniques and principles
    
2. Principles and practices of civil engineering, field surveying, data collection, computer-aided design and computer-aided mapping
    
3. Working knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local codes, standards, ordinances, rules, and regulations
    
4. Engineering mathematics
    
5. Basic construction techniques and operation and maintenance principles
    
6. Record keeping and inspection of capital projects
    
7. Engineering inspections and documentation, including terminology, principles, practices, methods, and techniques of inspection and implementation of codes, ordinances, standards, and regulations
    
8. Technical aspects of stormwater management principles and field inspection techniques for stormwater management facilities
    
9. Reading and understanding engineered drawings, schematics, specifications, maps, plats, and other related documents
    
10. Good customer service skills, including presenting a positive image to the public using tact, courtesy, and good judgement
     
11. Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships at all organizational levels and with the public and community
     
12. Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and software sufficient to perform assigned duties
     
13. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with a variety of people in varied work situations, including in person, by phone, and in writing
     
14. Ability to speak Spanish is a plus

Work Environment

Work is performed both in an office and in the field. Must drive to construction sites, walk on uneven terrain, and work in all types of weather conditions. Must be able to access structures by crawling in confined spaces, standing, climbing, or stooping for prolonged periods as necessary to conduct inspections. Work occasionally requires being in high places and around machinery and equipment used in construction. Work requires hearing to monitor and hear safety warnings on a building site, visual acuity to read and interpret engineered drawings and blueprints and to use a computer.

This employee must have the ability to work in a fast-paced environment and be able to handle multiple tasks at one time. Must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, citizens, and other agencies and organizations. Attendance at night meetings is occasionally required.

Education, Experience and Other Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma/GED and the equivalent of two years of college-level coursework in civil engineering or related field or Associate Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field, and
• Two years of experience in public works engineering technical support that includes project management, project review and inspection, and permit and application review

Licensing and Certification requirements

 Valid Washington Driver's License or ability to acquire and a driving record acceptable to the City’s insurance carrier.

Obtain flagger certification within six (6) months of hire and maintain for duration in position.

Must be able to pass a background check and drug screening.

Verification of identity and United States work authorization must be completed as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Additional Information

The City of Othello is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Reasonable accommodation will be made as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions of this position.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Sign the job description and fill out the employment application
2. Submit job description, employment application, resume, and cover letter  to the City Clerk.

Submit by:
Email- tmorelos@othellowa.gov 
Drop off at City Hall- 500 E. Main Street Othello, WA 99344
Mail- City of Othello 500 E. Main Street Othello, WA 99344

POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED- FIRST REVIEW OCTOBER 1, 2024

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