Engineering Technician

Under general supervision, performs advanced para professional drafting work. Employee must exercise initiative and independent judgment in ensuring that necessary work and accompanying paperwork is performed in a timely manner. Employee must also exercise tact and courtesy in frequent contact with developers, contractors, and the general public. Reports to the Division Manager.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

• Investigates complaints and request from the general public pertaining to departmental services or programs, or refers to appropriate official.

• Assists the general public and consultants with locating file information, maps, etc.

• Assists in creating and maintaining department filing system and maintains accurate and current records for private site and engineering plans, including electronic files.

• Assists consulting/private engineers, land developers and the general public in obtaining information regarding existing or proposed water, sewer, and stormwater and roadway facilities within the City of Suffolk.

• Assists in maintaining a log of department's fixed assets (i.e. accepted sewer and water mains, sanitary sewer pump stations & the land and easements associated with the pump stations and mains, subdivision streets and related infrastructure, as well as stormwater management facilities).

• Assists departmental staff in preparing public presentations to the City Council and community organizations.

• Performs GIS related activities and drafting work for the Public Works Department and other City departments.

• May review and field inspects transportation infrastructure.

• Collects, processes and manages transportation related data through various methods.

• Prepares reports as needed to assist with engineering studies, project evaluation and prioritization, budget preparation, etc.

• Assists with drone operations during data collection.

• Assists with the review of plats and engineering plans.

• Reviews applications for right-of-way permits, special event permits, logging permits, driveway permits, etc.

• Reviews traffic control plans associated with work performed in City right-of-way.

• Performs research, as needed.

• Manages the City's street light program and street light budget.

• Coordinates with local utility companies for establishment of new services and repairs.

Graduation from a two-year college or technical school with major course work in a related field, and 3 to 5 years of experience in traffic, transportation planning, planning, civil engineering, surveying or a related field; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Requires a valid driver's license.

For Traffic Engineering:

• VDOT Intermediate Work Zone certification, or able to obtain within 90 days
• IMSA Traffic Signal Technician level II desired.
• VDOT Paving & Marking certification desired.
• IMSA Sign & Paint Technician level II desired.
• IMSA Traffic Signal Inspector certification desired.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to design and construction of public works and utilities facilities.
• Knowledge of municipal engineering objectives, purposes, methods and practices.
• Knowledge of land and engineering survey systems, methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of federal, State and local laws, regulations and codes governing traffic engineering, work zone design and roadway design.
• Skilled in the use of engineering, drafting and surveying equipment and tools.
• Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
• Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.
• Ability to read a variety of reports, letters and memos, site plans, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats. Requires the ability to speak with poise, voice control and confidence.
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagrammatic form; and to deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including engineering and legal terminology.
• Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry.
• Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
• Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with persons acting under stress.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, blueprints and engineering specifications, and GIS mapping and databases.
• Ability to adapt engineering methods and standards to the design and construction of a variety of public works and utilities facilities.
• Ability to perform moderately difficult computations and prepare engineering cost estimates.
• Ability to prepare technical reports.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative in applying standards to a variety of work situations.
• Ability to exercise considerable tact and courtesy in frequent contact with the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple assignments simultaneously, to include meeting established deadlines.