Architecture & Civil EngineeringTransportation Engineering, Water Resources Engineering
Company Does Not Provide H1B Sponsorship
About the job
Requirements
A bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.
Three years of civil engineering design experience are required for the Design Engineer 2 position; at least six years of technical civil engineering design experience are required for Design Engineer 3.
A Washington State Professional Engineering license is required for Design Engineer 3.
A valid Washington State driver's license is required.
Knowledge of civil engineering principles, practices, and standards; public works project design, engineering, construction, and municipal construction techniques; advanced mathematics; municipal government policies and applicable laws and regulations; engineering research, analysis, and problem-solving methods; the technical aspects of the field; civil engineering trends and legislation; oversight of construction drawings and specifications; surveying principles and techniques; communication skills; English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; and modern office practices, procedures, equipment, and related word-processing and spreadsheet software.
Skill in using civil engineering design methods, equipment, and materials; interpersonal communication using tact, patience, and courtesy; oral and written communication; preparing and delivering oral presentations; telephone techniques; preparing business letters; analyzing, preparing, and reviewing technical engineering plans, drawings, specifications, and estimates; maintaining records; and preparing reports.
Ability to train and provide work direction to others; design public works projects within budget limitations and safety standards; design streets, storm and sanitary sewers, water mains, and other municipal engineering projects; perform mathematical and engineering computations accurately; read, understand, and interpret engineering plans, drawings, and specifications; prepare clear and concise project plans; establish cooperative working relationships; analyze situations and choose effective action; plan and organize work to meet schedules; use computers and necessary programs; interpret technical journals, financial reports, manuals, periodicals, and government regulations; compose, proofread, and edit correspondence and technical materials; operate the described machines, tools, and equipment; review complex designs; and coordinate engineering projects and resolve conflicts with agencies and organizations.
The physical requirements include regularly using hands, talking, and hearing; frequently sitting, typing, and reaching; occasionally standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; and occasionally lifting or moving up to 30 pounds. The role requires close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
Must be able to operate a City vehicle. The work may involve driving within the City, outdoor weather, potentially irate or hostile individuals, and loud noise at field sites.
Responsibilities
Oversee and coordinate the design of streets, levees, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water mains, and other civil municipal engineering projects in accordance with safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness standards.
Analyze project requirements, physical locations, and other relevant data; evaluate existing engineering drawings, maps, and survey data; and determine the materials and information needed for design.
Prepare and review quantity calculations, cost estimates, and engineering calculations for assigned projects.
Ensure project designs comply with applicable federal, state, and city laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations governing construction projects.
Prepare, review, and approve project plans, specifications, and permits; define project size, scope, limits, and intent; and assign related work to Engineers 1 and 2.
Provide engineering mentorship and guidance to Design Engineers, troubleshoot design issues with them and supervisors, and ensure timely design reviews with clear, actionable comments at each stage.
Communicate and coordinate with managers, supervisors, designers, consultants, city departments, other agencies, and the public to exchange information, facilitate work, and resolve conflicts; communicate with developers, contractors, property owners, City personnel, and agencies to incorporate special requirements into City construction projects.
Coordinate with the legal department on agreements with agencies, businesses, and property owners.
Work with engineers to maintain cooperative relationships with the public, utility companies, property owners, and engineering consultants; resolve concerns, issues, and complaints.
Determine right-of-way acquisition requirements, coordinate acquisition with right-of-way staff, and review right-of-way drawings for public rights-of-way and easements.
Prepare and review excavation, embankment, and other construction quantity calculations; establish roadway and utility grades and alignments.
Prepare information, requests, and recommendations for resolutions and ordinances; compile and review materials for public hearings and City Council meetings; and present project-related items at public hearings.
Attend hearings and meetings concerning Public Works projects and answer questions from contractors, bidders, developers, and the public.
Prepare and review federal, state, and other agency grant applications; obligate and manage awarded grant funds; coordinate with Public Works accounting staff and grant agencies to spend funds; and prepare preliminary grant cost estimates.
Recommend expenditures of public funds and manage project scope and budget.
Evaluate and select consultants, prepare documentation to hire them, and review their scopes of work, contracts, reports, and plans; manage consultant budgets, timelines, and scopes; and ensure timely design reviews with clear, actionable comments at each stage.
Evaluate candidates and participate in the employee hiring process.
Represent the City on technical advisory committees for other municipalities.
Support and follow the department's and City's vision, mission, values, and goals.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Come work at a place where you have a direct impact on the quality of life for Kent residents, business owners and visitors alike!
Are you an experienced civil engineer interested in impactful public infrastructure projects that shape a growing community? The City of Kent is seeking a skilled and collaborative professional to join our team as a Design Engineer 2 or Design Engineer 3, depending on qualifications. In this role, you’ll assist in the planning and design of streets, levees, sanitary and storm sewer systems, water mains, and other municipal public works projects.
You’ll be involved in project development from concept through design review, coordinate with multiple departments and outside agencies, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. This position offers the opportunity to engage in complex engineering work and help deliver safe, efficient, and cost‑effective infrastructure for our residents.
The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field. Three (3) years of civil engineering design experience is required for the Engineer 2 position, while an Engineer 3 will have at least six (6) years of technical civil engineering design experience and a Professional Engineering license.
If you thrive in a dynamic environment, excel at problem‑solving, and enjoy transforming technical vision into real‑world improvements, we’d love for you to apply.
This is a full-time, benefited position that is not represented by a union. All City of Kent employees and external candidates are eligible to apply.
**Please note that you must attach your cover letter and resume to your application for your application to be considered complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact our office Monday-Friday, between 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM at (253) 856-5270 and we will do our best to assist you.**
The selection process for this position will include at least one panel interview.
The position is open until filled.
SALARY:
If placed in the Design Engineer 3 position: $10,767.00- $13,113.00 per month, depending on experience
If placed in the Design Engineer 2 position: $9,763.00-$11,982.00 per month, depending on experience
The job description below is for the position of Design Engineer 3.
GENERAL PURPOSE:
Under the direction of the Engineering Manager or Engineering Supervisor, oversee the design of project plans and preparation of specifications for streets, levees, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water mains and other municipal public works projects.
Work is characterized by a variety of professional-level engineering duties involved in the preparation of designs, cost estimates and construction plans for public works improvement projects; analyzing system requirements; coordinating the preparation of appropriate drawings and specifications with assistance from engineers, technicians and consultants. Incumbent is also required to coordinate work with outside utility companies to resolve conflicts between their facilities and City facilities and occasionally visit construction sites to inspect work progress and coordinate communications with the construction engineer during construction.
Work is performed under limited supervision. The manager or supervisor sets the overall objectives and resources available. The incumbent and the supervisor work together to develop deadlines and determine work to be completed. Incumbent is responsible for the work, plans and carries out the assignment, resolves most conflicts that arise, coordinates work of the engineers, designers and others, and interprets policies on own initiative in terms of established objectives. Incumbent keeps manager and supervisor informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications. Work is reviewed in terms of feasibility, compatibility with other work, or effectiveness of results.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversees and coordinates the design of streets, levees, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, water mains and other civil municipal engineering projects in accordance with established standards of safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Analyze project requirements, physical location and other pertinent data; evaluate existing engineering drawings, maps and survey data; and determine appropriate materials and information required for design purposes.
Prepare and review quantity calculations, cost estimates, and engineering calculations for assigned projects.
Assure that project designs are in compliance with a variety of federal, state, and city laws, codes, ordinances and regulations governing construction projects.
Prepare, review and approve project plans, specifications, and permits as needed; delineate project size, scope, limits and intent; and related work assigned to Engineers 1 and 2. Provide engineering mentorship and guidance to Design Engineers. Troubleshoot and problem solve project design issues with Design Engineers and supervisors during the design and plan preparation. Ensure that the design review process for Design Engineering work product is conducted in a timely manner with clear, actionable comments provided at each design stage.
Communicate and coordinate work with manager, supervisor, designers, consultants, city departments, other agencies and the public to exchange information, facilitate work processes and resolve conflicts; communicate in person, in writing, and on the telephone with developers, contractors, property owners, City personnel and other agencies to incorporate special requirements within City construction projects.
Coordinate with legal department on agreements with various agencies, businesses or property owners.
Work with other engineers to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with the public, utility companies, property owners and engineering consultants; resolve concerns, issues and complaints as necessary.
Determine any right of way acquisition requirements and coordinate with ROW staff to acquire necessary property rights. Review right-of-way drawings involved in the acquisition of public rights-of-way and easements.
Prepare and review computations of excavation, embankment and other quantities for the construction of projects; establish the appropriate grade and alignment of roadways and utilities.
Prepare information, requests and recommendations concerning resolutions and ordinances; compile and review information and other materials for public hearings, and City Council meetings. Present various project related items at public hearings.
Attend hearings and other meetings concerning Public Works projects; answer questions from contractors, bidders, developers and the general public.
Prepare and review Federal, State and other agency grant applications. Obligate and manage project for awarded grant funds. Coordinate with Public Works Accounting Staff and various grant agency staff to successfully spend grant funds. Prepare preliminary grant cost estimates.
Make recommendations to manager and supervisor regarding expenditures of public funds. Manage project scope and budget.
Evaluate, select and prepare documentation to hire consultants as needed for projects.
Review consultant’s scope of work, contracts, reports and plans. Manage project consultants including budget, timeline and scope of work. Ensure that the design review process for consultant deliverables is conducted in a timely manner with clear, actionable comments provided at each design stage.
Evaluate candidates and participate in employee hiring process.
Represent the City in technical advisory committees for other municipalities.
Actively support and follow the vision, mission, values, and goals of the department and the City.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform related duties as assigned.
SUCCESSFUL INCUMBENTS FOR THIS POSITION WILL:
HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE OF:
Principles, practices and standards of Civil Engineering
Design, engineering and construction of Public Works projects
Advanced mathematics including trigonometry, geometry and algebra
Municipal Public Works construction techniques
Municipal government policies, procedures and structure; applicable local, state and federal laws, regulations and ordinances
Engineering research, analysis and problem solving methods
Technical aspects of field of specialty
Trends, legislation and other developments in the field of Civil Engineering
Oversight of preparation of construction drawings and specifications
Surveying principles and techniques
Oral and written communication skills
Correct usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary
Modern office practices, procedures and equipment including personal computers and related software such as word processing and spreadsheet programs
BE SKILLED IN:
Using methods, equipment and materials in Civil Engineering design
Demonstrating interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy
Communicating effectively both orally and in writing
Preparing and delivering oral presentations
Using proper telephone techniques and etiquette to assist a diverse assortment of individuals and inquiries
Preparing business letters
Analyzing, preparing and reviewing technical engineering plans, drawings, specifications and estimates
Maintain records and prepare reports
HAVE THE ABILITY TO:
Train and provide work direction to others
Design Public Works projects in accordance with budget limitations and established safety standards
Design streets, storm and sanitary sewers, water mains and other municipal engineering projects
Make extensive mathematical and engineering computations accurately
Read, understand and interpret engineering plans, drawings and specifications
Prepare clear and concise project plans
Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others
Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines
Effectively use computer and necessary computer programs.
Read, analyze and interpret technical journals, financial reports, operating and procedure manuals, general business periodicals, professional journals, government regulations, etc.
Compose, proofread and edit correspondence, technical journals, engineering rules and regulations
Operate machines, tools and equipment as described below
Review and understand complex designs and interpret engineering plans
Coordinate engineering projects and resolve conflicts with other agencies and organizations
SKILLS FOR THE POSITION MAY BE GAINED THROUGH EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, RELEVANT JOB EXPERIENCE or a COMBINATION, SUCH AS:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field; and
Experience: Six (6) years of technical Civil Engineering design experience.
LICENSES AND OTHER INFORMATION:
Valid Washington State driver's license
Washington State Professional Engineering License required
MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED:
Typical business and engineering office machinery and equipment including, but not limited to, personal computer, telephone, copy machine and calculator.
Will be required to operate a City vehicle.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk; and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit for extended periods of time; type on a keyboard and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to; stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is performed in a typical engineering office environment, subject to driving to various locations within the City to inspect or review public improvement projects. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outdoor weather conditions; and may be exposed to individuals who are irate or hostile. The noise level in the office environment is usually moderate, while the noise level in the field may be loud.
The City of Kent is an Equal Opportunity Employer.