HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior EngineerUpdated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
CITY OF IOWA CITY – JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Senior Engineer
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Supervisor: City Engineer
FLSA: Exempt
Civil Service: Yes
Pay Grade: 29
Job Number: 2909
Job Summary
Leads a project team in the development, design and construction inspection of capital
improvement projects. Coordinates, monitors and administers capital projects involving
engineering consultants. Directs and monitors engineering review and construction inspection
of all developments.
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.
• Serves as senior civil engineer and project manager for design, bid and construction
administration for capital improvement projects.
• Oversees project team members relative to the design, surveying and inspection of
capital improvement projects and certifies the plans.
• Coordinates and directs the engineering review and construction inspection of all land
and building developments, and performs engineering review, when necessary.
• Administers public works contracts, coordinates relocation of utilities, reviews pay
estimates, resolves constructions conflicts and technical issues, coordinates with
contractors, surveyor and City’s inspector through final close out.
• Provides technical guidance and reviews the work of support staff.
• Directs, monitors, coordinates and reviews work of other design professionals and
construction contractors hired by the City.
• Receives complaints and inquiries from the public and provides information.
• Instructs and advises support staff with respect to policies and procedures.
• Assists in the development of the capital improvements program, identifies projects and
prepares cost estimates.
• Monitors project expenditures during the year and makes recommendations for budget
modifications.
• Administers and directs the preparation of legal documents and negotiates property
acquisition for capital improvement projects.
• Provides engineering assistance to other City departments, as requested.
• Prepares and delivers oral presentations at City Council, University and public
neighborhood meetings.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Manages and updates the storm water utility fee and storm water enterprise fund.
• Develops and implements new City ordinances pertaining to the storm water
management program.
• Provides regulatory and engineering consulting and coordination required for operation
of City owned landfill, City storm water permitting program, University right of way
agreements, University construction project coordination and railroad improvements.
• Coordinates and administers bridge rating, traffic signal, pavement marking, street
pavement maintenance, bridge maintenance, creek maintenance, curb ramps and sewer
maintenance programs.
• Assigns addresses to new lots for subdivisions and site plans.
• Represents the City of Iowa City on various statewide technical and regulatory advisory
committees.
• Communicates with media regarding projects and programs.
• 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 three to five years of
related experience; or seven to nine years of related experience and/or equivalent
combination of education and experience. Degree in Civil Engineering. Experience in
public works and engineering design.
• State of Iowa Professional Engineer License in the field of civil engineering. National
Incident Management System Training ICS 100, IS 700 within two years of hire. Valid
State of Iowa driver's license with satisfactory driving record. 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 six years of related
experience; or ten years of related experience and/or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to bring teams together to work on projects.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to effectively perform long and short-term planning and administer projects
within the established deadlines.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or
Council.
• Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or
diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to perform mathematical functions in order to perform and review engineering
calculations.
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
• Ability to perform technical engineering calculations.
• Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications, blueprints, easement documents,
engineering reports, design manuals and contract documents.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from the public, staff, regulatory
agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to work with contractors and vendors on implementation issues.
• Ability to write reports and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and
format.
• Knowledge of engineering principles and practice, public works design, and construction
management and inspection.
• 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) and various engineering design software.
Supervision
Involves leadership role such as regularly guiding, training, and providing direction to
permanent staff in completing daily tasks and assignments. May perform additional supervisory
duties at the direction of the Department or Division Head to include disciplinary action,
assisting with hiring or firing, and writing or delivering performance reviews.
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 moves 25 pounds and will occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
with or without 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving
mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock,
vibration, and traffic hazards. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather
Updated: August 2025 (Admin Review)
conditions, dampness, direct sunlight, dust, pollen, insect stings, and animals. The noise level in
the work environment is usually loud. Involves some exposure to stress due to the work
environment and/or crisis situations.
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)
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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