Associate Engineer I/II

EMWD’s mission is to deliver value to our diverse customers and the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, economical and environmentally sustainable services.

EMWD is a leader in sustainability efforts that provide long-term benefits to the environment and establishes EMWD as an industry front-runner in adapting to climate change. We have invested in solar energy programs that provide significant environmental benefits, are modernizing our fleet vehicles to be further reliant on clean energy, and have a long-term strategic priority to further reduce our carbon footprint while reducing financial impacts to customers.

We value our talented employees, and whenever possible strive to help one of our associates grow professionally before recruiting new talent to our open positions. If you think the open position you see is right for you, we encourage you to apply!

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Job Description

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this position.

Positions at the Associate Engineer I level may perform some of these duties and responsibilities in a learning capacity.

• Prepares and develops in-house project design work; develops complex designs, engineer’s estimates, construction schedules, technical specifications, and special conditions.
• Prepares letter correspondence, Board letters and related documents or exhibits; prepares presentations and graphic displays for project stakeholders.
• Coordinates engineering design projects with other departments and agencies; reviews and analyzes construction projects planned by other agencies for potential impact on District operations; confers with personnel from other departments and agencies regarding current and proposed construction projects; identifies and resolves problems in compatibility between other agency systems and the Districts system; coordinates with consultants, other agencies, and developers to communicate District policies and requirements for project initiation and development.
• Reviews, responds and/or prepares a variety of technical and administrative documents including engineering reports, design plans, and specifications for consultants and contractors and responds to questions; provides recommendations to improve, add, revise, or otherwise implement solutions to existing or proposed facilities; performs field verifications and refinements of design and project scope; documents information required by consultants and holds evaluation meetings to discuss project-specific concerns or issues that need to be addressed; participates in creating/revising District standards and guidelines for the design and construction and maintenance of District facilities.
• Performs project engineer tasks on various capital improvement, maintenance, and development projects and/or planning studies; serves as point of contact among project stakeholders including District staff, consultants, contractors, and external agencies; establishes project scope of work including schedules and cost estimates; coordinates and conducts project meetings and presentations; responds to requests for information; reviews proposed change orders; requests necessary permits; ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and interagency agreements; discusses status of projects and solutions with supervisor and other senior engineers or higher-level staff; evaluates and recommends solutions to project/engineering problems.
• Utilizes District hydraulic models to simulate and analyze the water, wastewater, and recycled water systems, and hydraulic/hydrologic or various types of engineering calculations such as simple structural design, water pressure, sewer capacity, mass balance, material take-offs, water resources, basic electricity, elementary survey, and other pertinent models.
• Develops and uses simulation models and tools to evaluate alternative facilities, recommend capital improvement projects, identify water supply strategies, and evaluate the impact of new regulatory proposals and requirements, interagency agreements, and administrative policies.
• Performs a variety of complex engineering designs and calculations including, but not limited to, pipeline capacities, structural capacities, hydraulic pressure, pipe and open channel flows, groundwater flows, and related topics in support of projects and technical studies.
• Prepares Requests for Proposal (RFPs); prepares project-related documents; prepares project status, schedule, and budget updates; assists in establishing selection criteria; reviews proposals based on technical merit and cost and provides recommendations; assists in contract negotiations; reviews contract documents and agreements and provides feedback/comments.
• Performs research and data gathering of technical datasets, historic information, and current projects to provide technical support and fulfill reporting requirements in response to requests from internal and external groups.
• Provides supervision and management over consultants; approves invoices; provides review comments and discusses project scope; coordinates progress meetings and workshops; conducts project workshops and meetings to seek comments and feedback from project stakeholders; assesses equipment and materials; reviews material submittals and shop drawings to ensure conformance with project-specific requirements during construction.
• Provides engineering assistance during construction; monitors construction progress and performs on-site investigations; reviews and provides engineering support for contractor requests for clarification and/or construction change orders; attends construction progress meetings; coordinates and/or conducts start-up and performance testing for project facilities.
• Provides regular project updates to internal stakeholders and executive staff regarding the planning, preliminary design, final design, and construction of complex or politically sensitive capital and development projects.
• Assigns routine research, design, hydraulic modeling, and drafting tasks to technical subordinates; reviews submittals/shop drawings; assists in the solution of difficult problems; review plans for adherence to District standards; answers contractors’ requests for information.
• Performs technical research, project forensics, as-built and archival information research to provide information required by consultants for project completion; performs field investigation and inspection to identify operation problems, verify facility/equipment field conditions, and to address maintenance issues and/or equipment replacements or upgrades.
• Provides technical support in answering design questions for walk-in customers, phone calls, emails, and other District departments and staff.
• Prepares CIP and OFA project budgets, including annual spending forecasts.
• Observes and complies with all District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Positions at the Associate Engineer I level may exercise some of the knowledge and abilities statements in a learning capacity.

Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles, and practices of engineering design and construction.
• Principles and modern techniques and equipment used in the design, construction, and maintenance of water, wastewater, and recycled water utilities projects.
• Hydraulic system analysis applicable to engineering including hydraulic calculations.
• Civil, mechanical, electrical, chemical, structural, and instrumentation design concepts and principles specific to water, wastewater, and recycled water facilities.
• Physical design, economic, environmental, and/or social concepts which impact the planning design, procurement, and construction processes.
• Application of land use (development patterns and processes) concepts and implementation of zoning and other municipal ordinances.
• Public utility governance, oversight, regulations, and land development and zoning requirements.
• Methods used in developing information for Master Plan modifications.
• Land surveying principles.
• Principles and practices of project management including the management of resources and budgets.
• Objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, and information sources of public works facilities planning.
• Construction management principles and practices, including the strengths of material, properties, and uses of construction materials.
• Concepts of physics as they relate to engineering.
• Advanced mathematical principles.
• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations in assigned areas of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of technical report and business correspondence preparation.
• Research principles and practices.
• District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Prepare and present engineering calculations, data analysis, modeling, and other complex engineering plans, specifications, and legal contracts.
• Prepare and evaluate engineering studies of large projects; research, analyze, and summarize data; perform accurate engineering calculations and cost estimates.
• Interpret and explain design criteria, policies, ordinances, and procedures.
• Review and assess studies or reports prepared by consultants and utilize information for project completion.
• Evaluate potential construction and operational risks, materials and project costs, and provide recommendations for mitigation measures.
• Serve as project manager as assigned.
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate technical reports, drawings, maps, notes, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Understand and apply those aspects of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards pertaining to assigned areas of responsibilities.
• Research and analyze complex engineering and mathematical problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend effective courses of action.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience:

Any combination of experience and education that provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, along with the specific licenses/certifications as outlined below:

• Associate Engineer I: Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience providing professional support to an engineering program, preferably in a public utility environment; or two (2) years of experience as a registered engineer at the Assistant Engineer level with the District.

• Associate Engineer II: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience providing professional support to an engineering program, preferably in a public utility environment; or three (3) years of experience as a registered engineer at the Associate Engineer I level with the District.

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil, chemical, mechanical, structural, electrical engineering or related engineering discipline.

Licenses/Certifications:

• A valid license as a Professional Engineer in Civil, Chemical, Mechanical, Structural, or Electrical Engineering issued by the State of California.
• A valid California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s Vehicle Insurance Policy.

The ideal candidate will be a skilled technical professional and project manager with experience in facility planning, development conditioning and recycled water. They will demonstrate the ability to coordinate / manage complex projects and programs with multiple internal and external stakeholders addressing a wide range of challenges. The ideal candidate will be self-driven, thoughtful, discerning and illustrate ownership and pride in their work. They are willing to take on new challenges and proactively and creatively work to solve them. They will demonstrate the ability to collaborate with land use and regulatory agencies to advance EMWD's mission through implementation of programs and projects to allow 100 percent utilization of recycled water for the highest beneficial and sustainable uses possible.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various District sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various District sites; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

FLEX REQUIREMENTS

Positions in the Associate Engineer class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the Associate Engineer II level are normally filled by advancement from the Associate Engineer I level; progression to the Associate Engineer II level is dependent on (i) management affirmation that the position is performing the full range of duties assigned to the classification; (ii) satisfactory work performance; (iii) the incumbent meeting the minimum qualifications for the classification including any licenses and certifications; and (iv) management approval for progression to the Associate Engineer II level.

This job description has been reviewed and approved by all levels of management in cooperation with the union (if applicable).

Eastern Municipal Water District

Recognized as a leader in the water industry throughout California and nationally, the Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) is the water, wastewater, and recycled water service provider to nearly one million customers living and working within a 600-square mile service area in Western Riverside County. It is California’s sixth-largest retail water agency.

- 2,476 miles of water transmission and distribution pipeline
- 1,819 miles of wastewater collection pipeline
- 86 active water pumping plants
- 4 operating regional water reclamation facilities (RWRF)
- 2 potable (drinking) water filtration plants
- 3 groundwater brackish desalination (reverse osmosis) plants

Headquartered in Perris, California, employees enjoy a rural atmosphere. Its location permits easy access to large metropolitan areas, as well as the beach, mountains and deserts for recreation.

Our guiding principles are Safety, Integrity, Transparency, Community, Innovation, Leadership, Respect, and Accountability.