Senior Engineer

St. Johns County residents enjoy a healthy quality of life with many perks including one of the top rated public school systems in the State of Florida, miles of beach shoreline, peaceful estuary scenery of the St. Johns River, long established agriculture and equestrian scene, and the nation’s oldest city, historic St. Augustine. In 2019 St. Johns County was ranked the 10th fastest growing county in the United States showcasing that there is truly something for everyone in St. Johns County! 

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is seeking a Senior Engineer for our well-estabished Utility Department whose headquarters are located in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida.

The St. Johns County Utility Department is responsible maintaining 65,000+ service connections across the entire county, consisting of both Potable and Reuse Water.  This position is responsible for performing advanced level technical engineering work throughout St. Johns County.

Employees work in a team-oriented environment in a variety of divisions with two common goals in mind: to provide the best services to our citizens and to be the best public utility in North Florida. The work consists of varied advanced engineering duties. Strict regulations and guidelines contribute to the complexity of the position. The purpose of this position is to support the department’s engineering development process. Success in this position contributes to the provision of project to area residents

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties and functions are intended to be representative of the type of tasks performed within this classification. They are not listed in any order of importance. The omission of specific statements of the duties or functions does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Consults with assigned staff to review work requirements and status of work, develops solutions to common issues or situations; provides direction, advice, and technical expertise to assigned staff.

• Meets with directors and other officials to review activities, provide recommendations, resolve problems, and receive advice/direction.

• Coordinates work activities with those of other County departments, contractors, consultants, outside agencies, or others as needed.

• Assists in the review, permitting, and inspection of new construction, assists with the review of plans improvement projects; manages construction projects; and prepares project construction schedules.

• Coordinates procurement of equipment and contracted services; researches new products, systems, and materials; obtains pricing from contractors and suppliers; prepares specifications for materials, equipment, and services; writes, prepares, and reviews bid documents/specifications; recommends award of contracts; ensures contract compliance for all contract specifications, requisitions, purchase orders, and invoicing.

• Compiles or monitors various administrative and statistical data pertaining to departmental operations; performs research as needed; makes applicable calculations; analyzes data and identifies trends; prepares or generates reports; maintains records.

• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, operational and regulatory reports, change orders, specifications, permit applications, budget documents, performance appraisals, agenda items, and other documents.

• Receives, reviews, prepares, and/or completes various forms, correspondence, engineering drawings, maps, plans, reports, contract documents, change orders, specifications, permit applications, codes, blueprints, maps, reference materials, budget documents, performance appraisals, agenda items, and other documents. Forwards or retains as appropriate.

• Responds to complaints and questions related to department operations; provides information, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution.

• Attends County Commission meetings or other meetings; serves on committees as needed; presents information and presentations to community and other outside customer groups.

• Maintains current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; and attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

• Maintains a full-time presence on the job.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Electrical, Civil engineering, or closely related field.

• Must possess and maintain a State of Florida Professional Engineering (PE) Certification.

• Minimum of eight (8) years of experience in electrical or civil engineering, or closely related field, specifically pertaining to utilities.

• Minimum of two (2) years of experience managing complex design and construction projects.

• Must possess and maintain the Project Management Professional (PMP) ® certification from Project Management Institute, Inc. or equivalent.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license and any other endorsements necessary to legally operate vehicles used while assigned to this position.

• Must be able to operate a computer.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Advanced knowledge of engineering and construction principles, practices, methods, and techniques relevant to the appropriate planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance projects.

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of rules, regulations, procedures, and reporting requirements relevant to the operations and maintenance required by Department or field of expertise.

• Advanced knowledge of design standards for infrastructure, results of AutoCAD plans and Profile Drawings, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and modeling.

• Skill in conducting field inspections for engineering compliance as specified in County, State, and Federal codes, ordinances, resolutions, regulations, standards, specifications, policies and procedures.

• Ability to create and convey presentations in a clear, accurate and concise manner.

• Ability to prepare and complete accurate and thorough written records and reports.

• Ability to read and understand plans and specifications and determine engineering compliance, as specified in

• County, State, and Federal codes, ordinances, resolutions, regulations, standards, specifications, policies and

• procedures.

• Ability to effectively communicate and maintain harmonious relationships with administrative superiors, employees, other County departments, contractors, engineers, utility companies, vendors, outside agencies, the public, and any other involved individuals needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange

• information, or resolve problems.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

• Working Conditions may include some exposure to environmental changes (e.g., outdoor weather and/or field conditions, warehouses, garages, etc.), extreme noises, odors, heights and/or dust.

• Physical Activity may include sitting, walking, lifting heavy objects up to 25lbs, kneeling, crouching, reaching, or standing.

TO PROMOTE CAREER ADVANCEMENT OPPORTUNITUES, THE UTILITY DEPARTMENT HAS A CAREER PATH PROGRAM FOR THIS POSITION. THE FOLLOWING CAREER PATH ADVANCEMENTS MUST BE MET TO ADVANCE TO CHIEF ENGINEER:

• Possession of the Professional Engineering (PE) Certificate.

• Twelve (12) years of experience in electrical or civil engineering, or closely related engineering field.

• Four (4) years of experience managing complex design and construction projects.

• Two (2) years of experience supervising engineering and construction staff.

• Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification from Project Management Institute, Inc. or equivalent.

• Internal County candidates must receive a recommendation from the Department Director.

Salary Range:

Compensation Grade:

Department:

Location:

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners is a drug free workplace and equal opportunity employer. All employment actions are taken without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, handicap, disability, marital status, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

An applicant eligible for Veteran's Preference who believes he or she was not afforded employment preferences in accordance with Florida law may file a complaint requesting an investigation with the Florida department of veterans affairs. Veteran's Preference Coordinator, 11351 Ulmerton Road, Suite 311, Largo, FL 33778. A complaint must be filed within 60 calendar days from the date that the notice of hiring decision is received by the applicant or within three calendar months of the date of the application is filed within the employer if no notice is given. If no notice is given, it is the responsibility of the preferred applicant to contact the employer to determine if the position has been filled.