General Information

The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.

This position may be filled as a Civil Engineer I or Civil Engineer II dependent upon the qualifications of the selected candidate.

Civil Engineer I:
Under general supervision, manages public infrastructure projects from concept/design through construction; prepares, reviews and modifies civil engineering plan specifications for such projects; works with contractors and staff on public works-related topics; responds to general and/or project-specific inquiries from customers; performs engineering and GIS-related analysis, graphics and mapping. Performs related work as required.

Civil Engineer II: 
Under general supervision; performs work of considerable difficulty involved in planning, coordinating, and supervising public works projects proposed by the City, developers, and utility companies; performs related work as required.

In order to be considered for this position, all applicants must submit their online application by the deadline listed on this posting. Your application includes complete responses to the supplemental questions. Please keep in mind that submission of a resume in lieu of work history on your application or answering the supplemental questions is not sufficient.
 
Compensation Philosophy:
 The City of Ames has a compensation philosophy that the starting pay for our merit salary ranges establishes the salary for employees who meet minimum requirements of a position. The median of any merit salary range is for an employee who can reasonably meet all expectations of the position responsibilities without initial extensive training. In order for employees to have an opportunity to grow within their position, we may consider a candidate's education, experience, and skills above the minimum requirements when looking at a salary closer to or slightly above the median. The median for the Civil Engineer I position is $88,615 annualized. The median for the Civil Engineer II position is $107,666 annualized.
 
 Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at:  City of Ames Benefits
 
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program:  The PSLF Program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans. To qualify, the individual must have made 120 qualifying payments while employed by a qualifying employer. For more information, please visit:
  PSLF Program

Examples of Essential Job Functions

Civil Engineer I Examples of Essential Job Functions: 
Completes plans, specifications, contract documents, customer outreach, bid lettings, council reports, project budget management, and construction management under direct supervision of the Municipal Engineer; analyzes civil engineering problems; completes special projects and reports; provides departmental representation, as needed. Responds to public works-related inquiries. Assists the public with inquiries regarding city records and projects. Completes reports required by state and federal government. Utilizes Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other resources to perform analysis of engineering-related data. Prepares staff reports and presentations; assists with oral presentations as requested. Maintains electronic and physical files of engineering information. Mentors, supervises and trains Engineering personnel.

Other Job Functions: Performs field inspections, surveys and studies. Evaluates work flow and makes recommendations for process improvements.

Civil Engineer II Examples of Essential Job Functions:
Supervises the planning, surveying, design, right-of-way acquisition, utility coordination and public notification of public works projects, subdivision development, and utility installation in public right-of-ways; directs and participates in surveying of projects and routine City construction activities; directs and participates in the design of computer aided and/or manual drafting for project designs; reviews, approves and modifies plans and specifications for public works projects; prepares and reviews site development and subdivision improvement plans, preliminary and final plats, easements, water main and sanitary sewer main extension permits, right-of-way user permits, street excavation permits, and permits issued by agencies outside the City; mentors, supervises, and trains Engineering personnel; direct liaison between the City and property owners and contractors; calculates quantities for payment purposes for public works construction projects; supervises the maintenance of maps, records, lists, files, and plans of completed projects; provides information to the general public and contractors; fills in for subordinates as needed. Directs and participates in NPDES Phase II stormwater permit activities, including erosion control on construction sites. Prepares and presents reports to City Council as necessary.

Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; committing to diversity, equity and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment. 

Qualifications

Civil Engineer I Qualifications:
Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field and one year of experience in civil engineering surveying, drafting, design work, and construction management. Licenses and Certification: Possession of an Engineer in Training (EIT) certificate within one year of appointment. Ability to obtain a valid State of Iowa driver's license within one month of appointment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Civil Engineer I: 
Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering; knowledge of methods and techniques used in the resolution of problems in one or more areas of public works and utility design, construction, and operation such as streets, water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewers; knowledge of Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) drafting methods; knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology; knowledge of the principles and practices of drafting and mapping; knowledge of the methods of surveying; knowledge of materials testing; knowledge of local, state and federal regulations concerning the design and construction of public works and or/utility projects.

Skill in the application of engineering theory to complex operational problems. Skill in interpreting, preparing, checking and utilizing engineering details and specifications. Skill in analyzing and interpreting data to reach logical conclusions. Skill in performing mathematical computations. Skill in responding to and resolving citizen concerns and requests for service.

Ability to analyze engineering related information. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner. Ability to organize data and design graphical images that are easily understood by the general public. Ability to convey technical concepts to persons with limited technical knowledge. Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers and other City employees. Ability to effectively interpret and communicate City and departmental policies. Ability to represent the City in a professional manner to citizens and outside agencies.

Civil Engineer II Qualifications:
Education and Experience: Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering degree, and a minimum of five years of experience in civil engineering surveying, drafting, and design work. Some supervisory and project coordination experience or training is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications: Must be a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Iowa, or must be a registered Professional Engineer in another state and can demonstrate the ability to become registered as a Professional Engineer in Iowa within six months of appointment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Civil Engineer II:
Comprehensive knowledge of computer aided drafting concepts and techniques. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques and instruments used in surveying and civil engineering drafting. Comprehensive knowledge of the regulations relating to public works construction by contract. Comprehensive knowledge of construction materials testing in the field and laboratory. Considerable knowledge of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry as related to civil engineering project components. Knowledge of sanitary sewer design principles. Knowledge of zoning and development principles. Some knowledge of plumbing and fire protection standards.

Comprehensive skill in the preparation of contracts, plans, specifications and engineering related estimates. Skill in inspection of construction projects. Skill in advising on problems of construction and contract adjustments.

Comprehensive ability to prepare and interpret drawings, graphs, charts, and maps. Considerable ability to perform difficult mathematical computations. Ability to reduce, interpret, and apply survey field notes. Ability to determine adherence to engineering specifications on a variety of moderate sized construction jobs. Ability to understand and analyze construction problems. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with citizens, supervisors, subordinates, co-workers, other City employees, and contractors. Ability to lead, direct, and supervise the work of subordinate Engineering personnel.

Supplemental Information

Required Physical Activities: Climbing, balancing, reaching, walking, finger dexterity, grasping, talking, hearing, lifting, and repetitive motions.

General Physical Characteristics: The work involves sitting and using a computer 50 percent of the time; standing (but not walking) 25 percent of the time; standing and walking 25 percent of the time; routinely lifting objects under 10 pounds; and infrequently lifting objects over 10 pounds.

Vision Requirements: The minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, extensive reading, visual inspection involving small defects or parts, use of measurement devices or assembly of parts at distances close to the eyes.

Environmental Conditions: The worker is subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions, hazards (i.e. working in high places, exposure to chemicals or electric current, etc.), and atmospheric conditions that may affect the respiratory system. May have occasional exposure to noise, vibration, and extreme cold or heat.

Equipment Used on the Job: A variety of general office equipment, two-way radio, computer hardware, software, and related equipment, automobile or pickup truck, a variety of printed materials, specialized tools and equipment for surveying, drafting and design, hard hat, safety goggles, and safety vest, microfilm reader/printer, ladder, filing cabinets.

**Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.**
Depending on the number of qualified candidates, the City may forego phone interviews.

Veteran’s Preference Points
The City of Ames provides Veteran's Preference Points for Civil Service positions. A copy of your DD214 and, if applicable, proof of disability, must be attached with your application (or faxed to 515-239-5297) prior to the close date of the posting in order to receive Veteran's Preference Points.