Engineer III, Floodplain Services Modeling

The Snohomish County Department of Public Works, Surface Water Management Division is seeking highly motivated/qualified applicants to fill positions in the River Capital/Floodplain Services program. The SWM River Capital/Floodplain Services program uses unique approaches within river reaches to work with natural river processes and coordinate with local stakeholders to improve salmon habitat, protect infrastructure and property, resolve river issues and manage floodplains.

The program will function as a team to provide a proactive and practical approach to the analysis of river processes as well as to the design and construction of river projects. Another key element of the program involves close coordination with stakeholders, including local landowners, tribes, grant agencies, permit agencies, consultants, and other interest groups.

Position Overview: 

Well-qualified applicants will have direct field experience with projects in large rivers or streams, will excel at project management and communication, will have high professional standards, will be highly productive, will work well in a team environment, and will be willing to be mentored.

This position provides hydrologic and hydraulic modeling of river and large stream systems, floodplain analysis, and project-specific modeling. The position will act as a project manager, and, as such, may manage consultant contracts, grant contracts, and projects completed in-house by County staff.

This position acts as a technical expert for hydrologic and hydraulic modeling of rivers and streams. The preferred candidate will be expected to be proficient in the use of a variety of sophisticated river hydrologic and hydraulic models as well as experience working with FEMA-related flood mapping and modeling. The preferred candidate will have field experience with river flooding or emergency flood response as well as experience with flow gages.

The preferred candidate will have good speaking and writing skills, will have high professional standards, and will be a good team player. Additional desirable experience and/or qualities include design experience for river or stream habitat projects, grant writing experience, watercraft skills, experience coordinating river surveys and geomorphic analyses. This position requires a Professional Engineering (PE) license. If the PE license is from another state, the applicant must demonstrate that they can obtain comity within one year.

Job Duties: 

To perform professional engineering assignments in design, construction, or program development, which require advanced expertise in a specialized area of engineering or in multiple engineering related functions. To act as resource to engineers on complex projects or manage projects or project components.

Statement of Essential Job Duties: 

• Project management, analysis, and design of major improvements and modifications to public works structures; produces design reports and plans, specifications and cost estimates for construction of public works facilities such as surface water systems.
• Reviews engineering design work to ensure proposed designs meet project needs, engineering specifications and cost regulatory requirements.
• Conducts or directs the preparation of major planning or design engineering studies by identifying and researching needs and problems in the area of specialization; monitors the collection of field data and the technical evaluations used to develop recommendations.
• Manages the selection and administration of engineering consultants performing work for planning and reports, plans, specifications, estimates, and on call engineering services.
• Prepares requests for proposals for professional engineering, consulting, and environmental services; reviews requests from consultants for changes in scope of work and recommends appropriate action.
• Acts a technical resource in a specialized area of engineering to resolve complex design and construction problems.
• Conducts field trips to inspect project sites during planning and design phases, and during construction for compliance with specifications and plans.
• Provides technical support and acts as engineering liaison between public works, consulting engineering firms and other governmental agencies; reviews agency documents preparing and presenting comments on behalf of the department.
• Coordinates the location, notification and preparation of presentations at public meetings for assigned projects and assists in other project manager's public meetings. Provides technical testimony at Public Hearings or Meetings.
• Provides technical assistance, guidance, and training to engineering staff.
• Assigns, leads, and evaluates the work of subordinate employees as required; advises assists and trains subordinates as necessary. Participates in the selection of new employees, and makes recommendations regarding hiring.
• Reviews and approves all plans and contract documents before they are used in the public bidding process for county construction projects.
• Develops recommendations for mitigating measures to reduce or provide for environmental impacts. 

Statement of other Job Duties:   

• Performs related duties as required.   

Minimum Qualifications:   

• A Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering or related field, and four (4) years of civil engineering experience, three (3) of which are in the area of specialization;
• OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
• Must pass job related tests.  

Knowledge of:

• Engineering mathematics applied to area of specialization;  
• Engineering principles and practices and the materials and
  equipment applicable to the area of specialization;  
• The current codes, trends, and developments in the field of
  engineering specialization;  
• Principles of project management, organization and administration; and
• Laws and regulations applicable to the area of assignment. 

Ability to:

• Direct and inspect the work of consultants and contractors on
  civil engineering studies and projects;  
• Prepare and manage project activities, including monitoring
  budgets, work schedules, grant requirements and progress reviews;  
• Plan, direct and coordinate the work of subordinates;  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with
  other county employees, representatives of other agencies and with the general public; 
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of engineering studies and
  plans.  

Special Requirements: 

• A Professional Engineer's License or ability to obtain one by demonstrated training or experience is required. 
• A valid Washington State Driver's License.   

Additional Information: 

Supervision:   

Employees report to and receive direction from an engineering supervisor. Employees may lead full-time or temporary employees. A high degree of independent judgment and action is exercised in planning projects and programs and resolving administrative and technical problems within the framework of established codes, policies, budgetary limits and sound engineering practices. 

Working Conditions:

The work is performed in an office environment with frequent field trips to locations throughout the county to make site visits, attend meetings, or coordinate work activities. Meetings or project requirements may involve working evenings, weekends or holidays as necessary.

The selection process will be: 

• On-line only application and supplemental questionnaire; 
• Minimum qualification screening; 
• Supplemental questionnaire scored; 
• Applicants with the highest supplemental scores that qualify for an interview will be interviewed; 
• Criminal background check; 
• Reference check - if you are invited to an interview please bring a list of your references including current and former supervisors and internal clients; 
• Credential verification - copies of your diploma and/or certificates will be required if you are invited to an interview and you have listed on your application any education beyond high school; and
• Top candidates may be invited to a second interview. 

Compensation: $5,852.95 - $7,110.69 monthly / $70,235.40 - $85,328.28 annually. 

To Apply:

Please click below: "Apply Here!" to begin the application process.

Closing Date/Time: 07/12/13 5:00 PM Pacific Time.  

~ Snohomish County is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive, multicultural workplace. ~