Engineering Civil Works Specialist

Introduction

The City of New Haven is seeking a qualified and motivated professional to serve as an Engineering Civil Works Specialist within the Engineering Department. This position plays an important role in supporting the planning, inspection, and construction oversight of the City's infrastructure projects. The Engineering Civil Works Specialist works closely with the City Engineer, contractors, developers, and other stakeholders to help ensure that work performed in the public right-of-way and on City construction sites meets applicable engineering standards, regulations, and safety requirements. This role offers an opportunity to contribute directly to the delivery and long-term quality of New Haven's infrastructure and capital improvement initiatives.

PRIMARY FUNCTIONS

This is responsible professional work pertaining to the inspection, supervision, and construction management of civil infrastructure within the City of New Haven. The position ensures that work performed in the public right-of-way, on City construction sites, and by outside developers complies with applicable engineering standards, municipal regulations, project specifications, and safety requirements.

The Engineering Civil Works Specialist performs technical field inspections; reviews permits and project documents; coordinates with contractors, consultants, utility companies, and other City departments; and assists with project scheduling, materials testing, documentation, and reporting. The role supports the City Engineer in maintaining accurate project records, monitoring progress and quality, and contributing to the successful delivery of the City's infrastructure and capital improvement programs.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Reviews permit applications from outside developers for compliance with City standards as part of the Engineering Department's regulatory workflow.
• Coordinates with applicants, contractors, utilities, and City staff to ensure proposed work meets applicable engineering and safety requirements.
• Assists in managing City infrastructure construction projects as assigned.
• Coordinates the testing of construction materials with outside laboratories to ensure conformity with City, State, and Federal standards.
• Measures quantities of infrastructure items for review by Project Manager(s).
• Supervises project teams, interns, and contractors as assigned.
• Performs and documents field inspections on City construction projects, including daily and progress reports.
• Inspects work performed within the public right-of-way as assigned by the City Engineer or designee.
• Observes field conditions to verify that construction activities follow approved plans, specifications, permits, and safety protocols.
• Documents field changes on plans for accurate project record keeping.
• Maintains organized inspection notes, reports, and related project documentation for departmental and regulatory use.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the City Engineer or designee.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Civil or Engineering Technology, Public Works Administration, Environmental Engineering, Urban/Environmental Planning, Geology, or a closely related field;

and 1-2 years of experience in civil engineering, construction management, infrastructure project management, or another discipline applicable to the work of this role.

In lieu of a degree, an additional five years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering, construction management, infrastructure project management, or a related technical or administrative discipline may be substituted.

Relevant technical training or certifications (such as OSHA 10/30, ATSSA/MUTCD traffic control, materials testing, or NICET certifications) are desirable.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Knowledge of basic civil engineering practices, including materials testing, inspection criteria, and the methods and tools used for civil engineering inspection.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans, specifications, permits, and construction documents.
• Knowledge of industry safety requirements, including work zone protections and standard construction-site precautions.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, with particular focus on Microsoft Project and Planner for infrastructure scheduling, tracking, and project delivery.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and the ability to learn and use multiple web-based applications.
• Ability to organize, analyze, and track project data-especially schedule data-using digital tools and collaborative platforms.
• Capability to perform field inspections or information-gathering work in various seasonal and weather conditions.
• Ability to monitor construction activities for compliance with plans, specifications, safety requirements, and City standards.
• Skill in documenting field observations clearly and consistently for departmental records.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and collaboratively with co-workers, technical experts, contractors, and the public.
• Ability to present facts and express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, including the ability to create effective communication materials for the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department heads, other city officials, contractors, and the general public.
• Ability to organize tasks, maintain accurate records, and follow brief general instructions from supervisors.
• Ability to work calmly and efficiently under pressure, meet deadlines on short notice, and work occasional evenings or weekends as needed.
• Capable of performing field inspection or information gathering work in various times of the year as required.
• Ability to supervise assigned project teams, interns, or contractors and contribute effectively to project management and departmental studies.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must possess and maintain a valid Connecticut Driver's License.
• May occasionally be required to attend public meetings and construction sites during evening or weekend hours.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements

Amount of Time

Working Environment

Amount of Time

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Stand

X

Wet / humid conditions (non-weather)

X

Walk

X

Work near moving mechanical parts

X

Sit

X

Work in high, precarious places

X

Touch, handle, or feel

X

Fumes / airborne particles

X

Reach with hands & arms

X

Toxic / caustic chemicals

X

Climb or balance

X

Outdoor weather conditions

X

Stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl

X

Extreme cold (non-weather)

X

Talk or hear

X

Risk of electrical shock

X

Taste or smell

X

Work with explosives

X

Risk of radiation

X

Lifting or force to be exerted?

Vibration

X

How much and

how often?

Amount of Time

Utilizes computer workstation

X

None

Under 1/3

1/3 to 2/3

Over 2/3

Customer / employee interaction (face-to-face)

X

Up to 10 pounds

X

Field work (seasonally variable)

X

Up to 25 pounds

X

Wears PPE at worksites

X

Up to 50 pounds

X

Up to 75 pounds

X

Up to 100 pounds

X

More than 100 pounds

X

SALARY, BARGAINING UNIT & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a General Fund, Civil Service tested position.

This position is included in a collective bargaining agreement with Local 3144, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Bargaining agreements available to review HERE.

General Funded hires into this class shall not be covered by Social Security but rather the City pension, contributing 10% of salary.

The City of New Haven does not sponsor employment visas. All applicants must have current authorization to work in the U.S. without employer-sponsored visa support.

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of: (1) a pre-employment background check, (2) a pre-employment physical examination, including pre-employment drug screening accordance with the City's Drug Free Workplace Policy*, and (3) a 90-day probationary period. Instructions and information on this pre-employment process are included in Conditional Offer of Employment.

Pursuant to the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, The City of New Haven has a adopted a Drug Free Workplace Policy. The City of New Haven requires a pre-employment drug test, which includes screening for marijuana.

Selection Plan

Applications will be reviewed by the Department of Human Resources. Applicants must demonstrate within their submission that they meet the minimum requirements as listed within the job description; failure to do so may result in disqualification. Applicants meeting minimum requirements may be invited to participate in a Civil Service exam process at a later date.

It is critical that you complete the application thoroughly, as the information you provide will be used to ascertain if you are eligible to move forward in the selection process. Your application and resume should indicate that you meet the minimum requirements as listed. This information may be used to determine the eligibility list. As such, this job announcement should be considered the exam announcement, and submissions may be evaluated prior to the posted closing date.

Information regarding the employment and selection process can be found HERE.

Please note that the only method of communication with applicants for this position will be by email. You must provide a valid, working email address and you will need to monitor your email, including spam/junk folders, for correspondence from the New Haven Human Resources Department.

We reserve the right to extend an application deadline or close a job posting early to ensure we can attract and identify the best candidate(s) for a position.

Conclusion

To apply for this opportunity:

• Complete your User Registration. You are encouraged to save your Applicant Profile for future use.

• You MUST click on the job posting you are interested in, and click Apply or Apply Online from within that posting.

• MAKE SURE the job you are applying for is named at the top of the page as you review your application!

• Review or modify your application for that position

• Click "Ready to Send App" or the "Send" tab; read page and click the attestation

• Click "Send to City of New Haven"

• You will be redirected to "CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION SUBMISSION"

• You will also receive an email and text, if a number was provided, confirming your submission

• If you do not receive this confirmation in the next 24 hours, your application has not been submitted - please contact us at NHJobs@newhavenct.gov

Please Note, your Profile is NOT an application for an open position. After you create your Applicant Profile, you must still click on a Job Title and complete the application as instructed for each position.