Consulting Engineer - Planning & Project Development

About This Position

Austin Energy's Corporate Support Services Division, Planning and Project Development Section, seeks a Consulting Engineer to manage a diverse portfolio of vertical and horizontal construction projects, facility improvements, and space reconfigurations that support mission-critical utility operations. Under limited supervision, this position directs projects through all phases of development, including planning, design, budgeting, procurement, contract administration, permitting, construction oversight, and post-construction services. The role collaborates with engineers, architects, consultants, contractors, vendors, regulatory agencies, and internal stakeholders to deliver projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contract requirements.

The successful candidate will apply expertise in City of Austin Building Technical Codes, International Building Codes, and Land Development Code requirements to guide project development and ensure regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include developing project scopes, contract documents, and design exhibits; overseeing multidisciplinary design and construction activities; managing space planning and interior renovation projects; and representing Austin Energy before City leadership, community stakeholders, boards, commissions, and other public agencies. This position requires strong technical, project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, as well as the ability to conduct site visits and field assessments at multiple Austin Energy facilities and project locations.

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under nominal direction, this position is accountable for interpreting, organizing, executing, and coordinating assignments. This position plans and develops engineering projects concerned with unique or controversial problems which have an important effect on major City programs or projects. This position serves as technical expert in a related area.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Develops or oversees development of technical specifications and standards by applying knowledge of the principles and practices of discipline engineering including the methods, materials, equipment, and techniques used. Reviews, analyzes, and interprets plans, specifications, contracts, and other related documents.
• Manages and coordinates programs or projects by reviewing and monitoring projects or programs, including the review of plans and development proposals for impacts related to project or program.
• Plans, research, designs, and implements engineering studies and projects or program areas by applying advanced technical knowledge of engineering discipline.
• Manages and negotiates contracts by reviewing monthly progress reports, verifying final quantities and costs, compiling requisite documentation, reviewing change orders, and auditing as-built records. Acts as a liaison among consultants, contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, fabricators, or suppliers and the City. Negotiates problems of changes, errors, or deficiencies and ensures compliance with project specifications and requirements.
• Interacts with internal and external customers to ensure requirements and needs are satisfied.
• Reviews plans and provides recommendation changes, solutions, or implementation.
• Monitors projects for regulatory compliance by providing consultation and determinations in matters involving application and interpretation of regulations and policies.
• Manages or leads teams of technical personnel including assigning and monitoring tasks. Provides advanced technical training to staff and field personnel by reviewing business needs, evaluating personnel, creating and applying training documentation, and presenting and analyzing training.
• Develops and monitors budget of projects. Assists in developing, managing, and submitting proposed budget forecast planning for short- and long-term City planning.
• Provides a high level of engineering and technical advice and direction. Possesses ability to troubleshoot advanced technical problems. Possesses ability to perform advanced engineering design.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of diversified, fundamental scientific and civil engineering concepts, phenomena, and relationships and utilize such changes in solution of theoretical or practical civil engineering problems.
• Knowledge of advanced mathematical techniques such as trigonometry, calculus, and coordinate geometry.
• Knowledge of modern methods, materials, and techniques of assigned discipline.
• Knowledge of one or more of the following disciplines: Civil, Environmental, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical or Electrical engineering terminology and techniques.
• Knowledge of City of Austin budget planning, purchasing, and contract policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicability of established engineering principles and methods and solutions.
• Knowledge of phases of the plans review and inspections processes.
• Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within Local and State ordinances and laws.
• Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
• Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
• Ability to perform more complex engineering computations, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry rapidly and accurately.
• Ability to communicate and provide direction to peers and assigned personnel.
• Ability to organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate scientific civil engineering problems and provide practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Ability to observe, compare, or monitor objects and data to determine compliance with prescribed operating or safety standards.
• Ability to use graphic instructions such as blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, or other visual aids.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to engineering, plus eight (8) years of engineering experience acquired before and/or after licensing as a professional engineer.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, must have the ability to obtain a Texas P.E. license within six (6) months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced professional experience appropriate to the role’s technical and managerial responsibilities. 
• Licensed Engineer specializing in Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical or Plumbing Engineering.
• Ability to design, draw (2D and/or 3D), and sign drawings and specifications for permitting Austin Energy projects.
• LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) w/ specialty and/or WELL AP credential.
• Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (PMI-CAPM), or ability to obtain one of these or other acceptable designation within six (6) months of employment.
• Strong proficiency in AutoCad, Revit, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Adobe Photoshop, SketchUp, etc.
• Recent experience actively designing, drafting/modeling, and permitting construction drawings and specifications using AutoCad and/or Revit software.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage and monitor multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Current and previous recent experience in horizontal and/or vertical new construction, interior design and renovation projects.
• Current and previous recent experience with building & site planning, schematic design, design development, contract documents (drawings & specifications), construction administration, and post-construction services.





Compensation Range:

The annual hiring range for this position is $118,900.00-$152,200.00



Notes to Candidate:

Salary is commensurate with experience and the approved salary range.

Location: 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin Texas 78723

Schedule: Flexible schedule, mandatory 40% in office, additional time depends on business needs.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. 
• Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
• Responses to supplemental questions regarding experience should also be clearly documented in the ‘Experience’ section of the main application.
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
• To ensure a thorough evaluation of your qualifications, please answer all applicable questions in the questionnaire section completely. Incomplete, brief, or one-line responses may not provide enough detail and could impact your eligibility to move forward in the selection process.
• Current City of Austin employees must submit their application through ‘Job Hubs’ in Workday to be considered.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution
• This position may require a criminal background investigation.

Good Standing Employees

Employees, in Good Standing, who are candidates within the department/division that the position resides in and who meet the minimum and all of the preferred qualifications (if any) of the position will be included in the initial interview. Department/division employee must remain in Good Standing through the Top Candidate Selection phase at which time the Good Standing status will be re-verified. 

Travel: If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Critical:

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Assessments:

Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing.

Candidates selected for interview(s) may be required to complete an assessment(s) approved by Municipal Civil Service process, Rule 4.

Fair Labor Standards Act:

This position is considered FLSA Exempt. Exempt employees are salaried and, except as provided, are not eligible for overtime compensation.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system" at the end.

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JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

 

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.

• Value and Innovation: Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.

• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.

• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.

• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.

• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.

• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.

• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

 

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

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EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.