City Engineer

Salary: Depends on QualificationsLocation : Newton, NCJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 00246Department: PlanningOpening Date: 08/18/2025Job Details: Salary is commensurate with experience, education, and skills. May be eligible for probationary increases of up to 5% within the first 6 months, depending on performance.Disclaimer: The City of Newton is a tobacco and drug free workplace. Applicants are subject to pre-employment drug and background screening. Equal Opportunity Employer. DescriptionPrimary Reason Why Classification ExistsTo provide professional engineering services and technical assistance to City staff including but not limited to designing, problem-solving, construction project management, and addressing concerns from business owners and citizens.Distinguishing Features of the ClassThe primary function of this classification is to manage and perform top-level professional civil engineering work, providing management and solutions to complex problems that arise in the design, review, and construction of City infrastructure and related development projects. The City Engineer serves as the principal engineering specialist, responsible for integrating services within and among Utilities, Public Works, and Developmental Services functions. The City oversees and participates in design and review of capital improvement development and is responsible for directing major projects, supervising and performing complex engineering reviews, and enforcing legal and contractual requirements. Work is performed under the general direction of the Planning Director, but considerable latitude is granted for independent judgment and initiative. Exercises direct supervision of the Project Coordinator position. Illustrative Examples of Work Plans, organizes, and coordinates the City's engineering activities such as engineering design, contract preparation and review, site suitability studies, and review of legal descriptions of real propertyMonitors work in progress or upon completion for compliance with standards; prepares documentation and improvement plans, and recommend appropriate corrective actionsReviews and approves all capital improvement designs and projects in addition to projects with the City's right-of-way, including oversite and approval of project work from multiple divisions and departmentsReviews and participates in the preparation of environmental assessmentsPrepares highly complex and technical reports; documents policies and procedures; performs researchMeets and confers with developers, contractors, engineers, and the general public regarding City policies, regulations, and proceduresReviews plans to ensure that infrastructure issues are adequately addressed; administers the work of consultants performing capital improvement research, evaluation, planning, design, construction, or maintenanceOversees, and evaluates adequacy of consultant engineering services; prepares requests for proposal and legal notices; participates in the bid and bid award process; coordinates contract activities and provides technical advice and interpretation as neededCoordinates engineering activities with other divisions and departments; represents the City in outside governmental organizations and agencies; provides support to boards and commissions on engineering matters; participates in professional groups and committeesAttends, makes presentations, and facilitates internal and external meetings as needed; represents the City at meetings related to engineering issues; meets with neighborhood groups and commissions, task forces, committees, the City Council, and other as necessaryConducts feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments and provides engineering designs, project timelines, and cost estimates for proposed projects to City departments and divisionsManages construction projects; holds pre-construction conferences; prepares contracts for City Council approval; Monitors construction for conflicts between intent and design and for compliance with scope, budget, and schedule; reviews contractor pay requestsReviews residential and commercial applications for developments, subdivisions, site plans, construction plans, and City specifications for conformance to establish standards, policies, and principlesProvides and enters plan review comments into various reporting systemsProvides technical information regarding engineering projects to consultants, contractors, other departments, and the general publicAssists in coordinating the activities of governmental agencies, private contractors, and others involved with City projectsAssists in planning and coordinating the design and construction of all infrastructure and public services projects including streets, sidewalks, sewer systems, bridges, parks, drainage structures, and office and facility design and retrofittingAssists in determining which projects will be completed in-house and which will be outsourced to achieve the best outcome in a fiscally responsible mannerAdministers the issuance of permits to private individuals and corporations for construction in the public right-of-way to ensure public safety and preclude any liability for negligence on the part of the CityAdministers City bridge inspections to ensure public safety and adequate maintenancePrepares regular and special reports relative to the design, construction, and funding of engineering projects to ensure compliance and fiscal responsibilityManages, directs, and evaluates the work of the Project Coordinator position; participates in the selection process, recommends disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal, conducts performance evaluations, and ensures proper trainingMaintains accurate records and filesPerforms other related duties as assigned Requirements Knowledge of principles and practices of civil engineering and administration as applied to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and inspection of public, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings, maintenance services, streets, water distribution and wastewater collection systems including stormwater, planning and development, etc.Knowledge of principles of general construction, particularly related to municipal improvement projectsKnowledge of principles and practices of subdivision design, urban planning, and municipal infrastructureKnowledge of practices, procedures, and methods of municipal assessmentsKnowledge of principles and practices of land surveying related to civil engineering design and construction and property and easement descriptions and acquisitionsKnowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, as well as industry standards and best practices, recent developments, current literature, and sources of informationKnowledge of principles and practices of municipal and project budgeting, cost estimation, funding, project management, and contract administrationKnowledge of principles and practices of record managementKnowledge of public hearing, review, and approval processKnowledge of methods and materials used in the design, construction, and inspection of various engineering projectsKnowledge of principles and practices of personnel management, supervision, training, and performance managementAbility to perform or oversee professional level engineering design, installation, and maintenance services and programsAbility to analyze and interpret engineering, legal, technical, regulatory, and operational documents, manuals, journals, blueprints, diagrams, and specifications in accordance with design requirements and applicable standards and regulationsAbility to analyze engineering and managerial problems, identify alternative solutions and consequences, and make sound recommendations, and prepare technical reportsAbility to interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, written technical materials, and City engineering policies and proceduresAbility to use computers and software to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation, prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written reports and oral presentations for both small and large groups, distribute information, and to coordinate projects and tasksAbility to use computerized mapping and geographic information systems and associated software related to the field of civil engineeringAbility to independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments with minimal supervision and to make appropriate decisions in the absence of a supervisorAbility to use tact, discretion, and prudence during interactions with individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds in person and over the phone especially when interactions may be confrontational or when relationships may be strainedAbility to select, manage, train, evaluate, and discipline staff according to City policies and proceduresAbility to delegate authority and responsibility in order to organize work, set priorities, and meet critical deadlinesAbility to use independent judgement within general policy guidelinesAbility to establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of workPlease visit our to learn more about benefits offered at the City of Newton.

Created: 2026-04-02