Job Title: County Engineer

Reports To: Commissioners’ Court
Department: Engineering
Salary: $144,765
Location: Ellis County
Prepared By: Human Resources
FLSA Status: Exempt
Approved By: Commissioners Court

SUMMARY

Implement and support management decisions of the Commissioners Court related to the engineering needs of the County. Under the limited direction of the Commissioners Court, this position is responsible for providing engineering recommendations and expert advice to the Commissioners Court for road and drainage improvements, capital improvements, and major county projects. The County Engineer ensures County compliance with state, federal, and local employment laws. This role requires extensive knowledge of civil engineering, project management, and public administration, with a strong focus on delivering solutions that meet the County’s needs.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Supervises employees in the County Engineering Department, including:

• 1 Assistant County Engineer
• 1 Department Administrator
• 2 GIS Employees
• 2 Watershed Technicians

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. These duties include:

• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, provides oversight, and evaluates the work of the Engineering Department.
• Sets the vision for the department.
• Works effectively and collaboratively with County personnel, external customers, and elected/appointed officials and stakeholders to coordinate various county projects.
• Assists in developing and maintaining long-range plans related to subdivision development, transportation needs, and infrastructure improvements.
• Directs, implements, and evaluates programs and projects assigned to the department.
• Participates and provides input in development meetings.
• Prepares and oversees the annual department budget.
• Prepares information and makes recommendations for adoption and amendments to Floodplain Orders, drainage, and county infrastructure requirements and standards.
• Serves as the County’s Floodplain Administrator.
• Negotiates solutions or alternatives to county infrastructure problems while ensuring compliance with rules and regulations.
• Regularly attends County Commissioners Court meetings and work sessions to present department activities, recommendations, requests, budgets, and projects.
• Assists Precinct Commissioners with road, drainage, and other county infrastructure projects in their precincts.
• Represents the County at intergovernmental bodies, conferences, and other groups.
• Reviews civil construction plans for subdivisions and other developments to ensure compliance with county standards and specifications.
• Attends professional development workshops and conferences to stay current with trends and developments in the engineering field, especially county infrastructure and drainage.
• Interprets and provides input on potential amendments to County development/engineering regulations and procedures.
• Assesses County infrastructure, including roads, bridges, drainage facilities, buildings, and mechanical systems, and provides recommendations for maintenance, upgrades, and replacements.
• Provides engineering design for bridges and drainage facilities for the Ellis County Road System.
• Serves as the liaison between the Commissioners Court and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and provides input on TxDOT projects in the county.
• Serves as the liaison between the Commissioners Court and TxDOT for the BRINSAP program.
• Provides recommendations for the repair or rehabilitation of NRCS Flood Control Structures jointly sponsored by Ellis County and the Ellis Prairie Soil and Water Conservation District.
• Serves as or supervises the Contracting Officer for NRCS Flood Control Structure repair and rehabilitation projects.
• Collects appropriate survey data for engineering projects.
• Provides engineering design for NRCS Flood Control Structure repair projects.
• Manages department staff in accordance with Ellis County policies and procedures.
• Coordinates with the Department of Development on many development projects.
• Provides input on the County’s Master Thoroughfare Plan.
• Reviews permits for utility right-of-way use.
• Manages contracts with external engineering and geotechnical firms.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Valid Texas driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Keeps regular onsite attendance and maintains professionalism at all times.
• Attends County Commissioners’ Court meetings and work sessions to present department issues, recommendations, requests, budgets, and projects.
• Coordinates annual MS4 reports to TCEQ.
• Performs special assignments, research, projects, tasks, or other duties as assigned by the County Judge/Commissioners Court; these duties may require complete confidentiality.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & LICENSES

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university, with a preference for civil or hydrology; a master’s degree is preferred.
• Must be a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible management experience in civil engineering, with at least 5 years in a Director, Assistant Director, division manager, or equivalent role.
• Certified Floodplain Manager license required or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Valid Texas driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Extensive experience in high-growth areas preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in stormwater management, drainage, and roads.
• Previous government experience preferred.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Intermediate knowledge of computer software programs such as ArcGIS, Microsoft Access, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Word, and related engineering software.
• Excellent communication (verbal & written), intrapersonal, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of program development, administration, project management, and evaluation principles and practices.
• Effective technical report writing, preparation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers, vendors, outside agencies, and the public.
• Understanding of complex drainage systems to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret financial reports and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from the public, regulatory agencies, or business community members.
• Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed styles and formats.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and boards of directors. Bilingual skills are a plus.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages, rates of pay, premiums due, and budget-related information.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra, geometry, calculus, and statistics.

REASONING ABILITY

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills in complex situations.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proficiency in word processing, Excel spreadsheets, and database management.
• A servant heart, devoted to serving Ellis County residents.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to handle or feel, and talk or hear. The employee frequently stands and walks. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Field activities may require walking, climbing, bending, and stooping, and may occur during extreme weather conditions.

NOTICE

The above job profile does not include all essential and non-essential duties of this job. All applicants and/or employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Human Resources Department to review and discuss the essential and non-essential functions of the job. An applicant and/or employee with a disability can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if she/he can safely perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

DISCLAIMER

Job profiles are not intended, nor should they be construed, to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks, skills, efforts, working conditions, or similar behaviors, attributes, or requirements associated with a job. A job profile is not a comprehensive job profile. It is intended to acquaint someone unfamiliar with the position with a brief overview of the position’s general direction and scope.

Application Information

To apply for this position, you MUST submit an Ellis County Employment Application, Resume, and Cover Letter to:

ELLIS COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES
101 WEST MAIN STREET, SUITE B103
WAXAHACHIE, TX 75165

Applications may be downloaded from the website or completed online:

https://elliscounty.cloud9.innoprise.com/citizenaccess/

ELLIS COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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