HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity EngineerUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: City Engineer
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Supervisor: Public Works Director
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: No
Pay Grade: 32
Job Number: 3201
Job Summary
Manages the operational, financial, and personnel activities of the engineering division. Directs
the conceptualization, design, construction management, and inspection of capital projects,
subdivision review and regulation and enforcement of ordinances. Analyzes the condition,
capacity and expansion of City owned utilities and make recommendations for action.
Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive
or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
• Plans, organizes, directs, and reviews the work of professional and technical employees
performing engineering and architectural work.
• Prepares engineering reports and offers recommendations to the Public Works Director,
City Manager, and City Council.
• Provides engineering and architectural consultation to other City departments.
• Coordinates, reviews, approves, and administers a variety of Public Works projects
involving consulting engineering firms.
• Assures compliance with local, state, and federal laws, regulations and standards.
• Prepares and delivers oral presentations at City Council, commissions, and public
meetings.
• Responds to complaints and information requests from the public.
• Advises and develops solutions for the public, upon request, for problems relating to
public infrastructure.
• Communicates with the public and media regarding capital projects and City programs.
• Assists in the development of the capital improvements program.
• Prepares and administers annual budget, monitors expenditures, and makes
recommendations for modifications.
• Directs the conceptualization, design, construction management and inspection of
capital projects, subdivision review and regulation and enforcement of codes.
• Analyzes the condition, capacity and expansion of infrastructure and makes
recommendations for action.
• Provides information to media through press releases and interviews.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Coordinates, reviews, approves and administers joint projects with Iowa Department of
Transportation, University of Iowa, City of Coralville and Johnson County.
• Establishes and maintains design and construction specifications and reviews new and
innovative construction materials and methods.
• Responsible for division safety and safety policies, oversees policies and procedures for
the Engineering Division.
• Serves as acting Public Works Director in his/her absence.
• Conducts self in a professional manner which demonstrates courtesy and respect for all
community members and coworkers.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and six years of related
experience; or ten years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Degree in Civil Engineering or related. Experience in civil
engineering.
• State of Iowa Professional Engineer license in the field of civil engineering required.
Valid State of Iowa driver's license with satisfactory driving record. National Incident
Management System Training ICS 100, ICS 200, IS 700, IS 800, ICS 300, ICS 400 within two years
of hire. Must be 18 years of age. Must pass criminal background check.
Preferred Education, Experience, Certification/Licensure, Other
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution and eight years of related
experience; or twelve years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience. Supervisory experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual
and practical problems.
• Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical
notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases.
• Ability to effectively perform long and short-term planning and administer projects
within the established deadlines.
• Ability to effectively supervise and motivate employees.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or
complex topics to top management, public groups, commissions, or elected officials.
• Ability to perform mathematical functions in order to perform and review engineering
calculations.
• Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications, blueprints, easement documents,
engineering reports, design manuals and contract documents.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.
• Ability to reliably and predictably carry out duties.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to write reports and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.
• Knowledge of City’s purchasing, financial and personnel policies.
• Knowledge of engineering principles and practice, public works design, and construction
management and inspection.
• Knowledge of financial documents and ability to manage and create budgets and
financial reports.
• Skill in observation, problem solving, oral and written communications, conflict
resolution, negotiations, technical writing, and project management.
• Skill in using computers and applicable software applications (Microsoft Office – Word,
Excel, Outlook).
Supervision
Assists with the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of a program function or unit for
the department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's
policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include supervising direct reports including
interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; writing
and delivering performance reviews; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing
complaints and resolving problems; and terminating employees.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform
the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use
hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally
required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. The employee
regularly lifts and/or move 10 pounds, occasionally will lift and/or move 25 pounds, and will
occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds with assistance. Specific vision abilities required
by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception
and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
duties and responsibilities.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Duties are generally performed in
an office setting with a controlled environment. The job requires sitting for extended periods of
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
time and the work may expose the employee to unpleasant social situations and significant
work pace pressure.
Iowa City is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act as Amended, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with
disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential
accommodations with the employer.
Reviewed/Approved by: Ron Knoche, Public Works Director (4/2024)
I have read and understand the duties and requirements of this job description, and I
agree that I can perform the duties of this position with or without reasonable
accommodation.
Employee Date
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