Engineering Technician

This is a continuous recruitment to fill one current vacancy. Apply immediately as this recruitment may close without any advanced notice.

The incumbent will enjoy working a 4/10 work schedule (Monday through Thursday) not including overtime or on call shifts. A 5% COLA increase is scheduled for July 1, 2025.

The incumbent will enjoy a family environment and be a part of an enthusiastic work force that has its own spirit committee that facilitates monthly employee events.

The incumbent will thrive working in this small culture environment allowing them to grow their knowledge, experience, resume, and prepare them for advancement by introducing them to a variety of public works related projects and responsibilities.

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Performs a variety of paraprofessional engineering work, including drafting, conducting engineering calculations, research and surveys, and assists in planning and design of street, water, storm drain, sewer, traffic systems and public areas; performs related duties as required.

This is a single position class and is characterized by its responsibility for the performance of technical engineering work of average difficulty. The incumbent is expected to work independently without close supervision while exercising considerable judgment and initiative and reports directly to the Public Works Manager. The incumbent may provide supervision to administration personnel related to technical engineering functions in the absence of the Public Works Manager.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: An original City of La Palma application must be submitted online at www.lapalmaca.gov. The City must receive completed applications, resumes, and supplemental questionnaires by the final filing date and time listed to be eligible for consideration. Facsimiles will not be accepted. Resumes will not, nor will references to a resume, be accepted in lieu of a completed City application. Please note, that the City now notifies all applicants by e-mail. Applicants that indicate a paper notification preference, will still receive paper notices; however, the information contained in those notices will likely be delayed. During the recruitment process, we encourage applicants to check their e-mail account frequently.

SELECTION PROCESS: All applications will be screened and those candidates who present the most relevant qualifications and possess the required licenses and certificates for the position will be invited to continue in the selection process. The selection process may include testing and oral interviews.

A Background Investigation, including a criminal record check may be required. All appointments are subject to the successful completion of a post-offer medical exam (including a drug and alcohol screen).

Should a qualified individual with disabilities need reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the examination process, the City of La Palma must be notified no later than five working days prior to the scheduled examination date.

The City of La Palma does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, marital status, or disability. Equal employment opportunity will apply to all personnel actions, including but not limited to, recruitment, selection, training, transfers, promotions, evaluation, compensation, discipline, layoffs, terminations, and rehires.

NOTE: All employees of the City of La Palma are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health, and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Plans and coordinates activities of designated projects from initiation to completion to ensure that timelines, goals, and objectives specified for projects are accomplished in accordance with prescribed priorities, time limitations, and funding conditions.

Prepares Requests for Proposal and bid packages to solicit bids from consultants, contractors, and vendors, including scope of services.

Analyzes and evaluates bids and recommends consultants for selection.

Prepares staff reports related to assigned projects.

Manages funding for all assigned projects and solicits funding from federal, state, and county governments for new projects.

Reviews a variety of maps, drawings, tracings, notes, and engineering computations and checks for accuracy and format; may review for conformance to established engineering practices, and compliance with state and county laws, ordinances, and regulations.

Provides public counter assistance interpreting and explaining code, permit, and statute requirements, engineering specifications, and other related municipal, state and federal regulations to construction contractors, architects, engineers, builders, public agencies, utility companies, property owners, and the general public; may prepare and issue various Public Works permits; may provide information regarding specific locations within the City such as easements, public right-of-way, property jurisdiction, and utility information.

Assists in the preparation of specifications related to the construction and maintenance of a variety of projects in accordance with City, state, and federal guidelines; assists in the preparation of project cost estimates, quantities calculations, and materials costs.

Provides liaison to contractor representatives in coordinating capital improvement projects; monitors project construction activity; prepares change orders as necessary to recommend alteration of plans and specifications; lays out and calculates quantities and cost estimates for capital improvement projects.

Provides liaison function with other governmental agencies in assisting with the development, planning, design, construction, and administration of cooperatively funded projects and programs.

Makes field check inspections of project sites to become familiar with features and to verify progress; collects, tabulates and analyzes traffic information; may conduct traffic studies that may include observing traffic patterns, taking traffic counts, and turning movements.

Prepares exhibits, drawings, and maps using CAD and other computer applications for reports, presentations, and maintenance work orders. assists in processing related notices, reports and public hearing documents; and assists in project administration.

Prepares a variety of technical engineering reports for other governmental agencies and/or programs and including but not limited to: Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO), and Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS).

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Engineering principles and practices as applied to public works; related federal and state laws, ordinances, and regulations; methods and techniques utilized in the preparation of public works projects, designs, and related plans, specifications, and cost estimates; the principles, methods, and equipment utilized in surveying and materials testing.

Ability to: Perform para-professional engineering work, including project design review, conduct inspections and evaluate construction relative to approved plans and specifications; coordinate the work of others involved in related activities; prepare and maintain records and prepare reports; interpret and apply related laws, ordinances, and regulations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with management, co-workers, the public and others contacted in the course of the work; work effectively with other governmental agencies in the processing of cooperatively funded projects.

Education and/or Experience

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Two years of college level courses in civil engineering or a related field or three years of related civil engineering experience. A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, engineering, urban planning, or a related field is desired.

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is required to talk, to hear at a normal conversational level and smell. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate drafting instruments, computers, and various pieces of office equipment. The employee infrequently lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Work is performed mostly in an office setting with some outdoor work required for the inspection of various land use developments, construction sites, or public works facilities. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.