Temporary Project Engineer

Note: This position is temporary with an anticipated end date of 12/31/2027 with funding through 12/31/2026. Continuation of the assignment/project in 2027 is subject to funding.

Who We're Looking For

Kirkland Public Works is seeking to fill a 3-year (2025-2027) limited term, full-time position to serve as the City's liaison with WSDOT on I-405 development projects (85th BRT Inline Station and Brickyard to 527).

This WSDOT Coordinator will report to the Deputy Director - Engineering, Planning, and Development Services and will be responsible for attending weekly meetings related to transportation, stormwater, construction impacts, utilities, and communications; relay information internally; coordinate internal stakeholder meetings; and serve as primary point of contact for WSDOT and in relaying official information between agencies.

We are seeking a highly skilled, dynamic, proactive critical thinker to join our fast-paced team. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced project manager or engineer who is familiar with contracts, ability to grasp and understand high-level technical detail and jargon, and ability to read plans. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional skills in communication, diplomacy, and organization; be tech-savvy; and have the ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining a high level of professionalism and discretion. The right candidate will be a quick thinker, able to anticipate needs before they arise, and take initiative in finding solutions to challenges.

The position works at Kirkland City Hall and may be considered for a limited hybrid work schedule after 6 months. A typical schedule is Monday - Friday business hours with occasional evening and weekend work as needed.

About Public Works

The Public Works Department ensures the City's infrastructure remains safe, functional, and sustainable. It oversees vital services including stormwater management, transportation, water and wastewater systems, maintenance of streets and grounds, and capital improvement projects.

As the City's largest department, we are committed to the City's vision and the Department's mission. We play a vital role in making Kirkland livable, sustainable, and connected. We are City employees who take pride in being trusted stewards of the public's resources, infrastructure, environment, and quality of life.

We have a One Team approach, strive for excellence and attract, value, and keep diverse, talented employees.

Why Kirkland?

Administers and manages municipal capital improvement projects (CIP), requiring expertise in the performance of complex engineering and administrative functions, including the negotiations and management of design consultant contracts, the implementation of right-of-way acquisition procedures, the adherence to environmental permitting policies and regulations and the regular observance of construction contract compliance on multiple street, water, sewer, traffic signal, and storm drainage projects.

Principal Accountabilities

Projects assigned to the Project Engineer vary in scope from sidewalk improvements to major arterial widening and bridge projects, including overhead utility to underground conversions and traffic signal installations; from gravity sewer systems to sewer pump stations, including the structural facility, pumps, and electric controls; from water main installations to pressure reducing valve installations and master metering stations; and from gravity storm drains to storm retention systems. Individual project budgets range to $5 million in scope. This position also assists in developing master plans with respect to the above type of facilities.

Position oversees and directs the work of the following positions:

Construction Inspectors (Consultant):

The person or persons who provide inspection of construction sites for compliance with project plan and specifications.

Engineering Assistants:

The person or persons who provide general engineering duties and technical assistance on projects such as drafting, data gathering, inspection, survey, and mathematical computations.

Depending upon assignments, one to five individuals receive direction from the Project Engineer.

Essential Duties

• Assists in the development of the Capital Improvement Program and the master planning of facilities, which may include developing a model of the demands and deficiencies of the existing systems, an inventory of the current facilities to satisfy the demands, conceptual design of improvements to correct identified deficiencies, and development of cost estimates for the proposed improvements.
• Receives assigned projects for development of the scope of the project and carries the project through to final construction and acceptance. Tasks include gathering all necessary information and documentation, preparing grant applications (when applicable), securing approval of necessary grant contracts with outside agencies, and performing the in-house design of the project or selecting, in consultation with the Capital Projects Manager, a consultant to perform the design, developing a consultant scope of work, scheduling the project, and serving as the contact person between the City and the consultant in the development of the design and contract documents. Responsibility also includes creating and tracking critical path schedules for each project from the initiation of engineering activities to project close-out.
• Provides oral and written information to a variety of audiences including City Council, the general public, adjacent departments, outside agencies, and others. Communications may be related to the project scope, technical design elements, operational features, the resolution of resident complaints and problems, property impacts, and/or construction issues that arise; communications also include facilitating neighborhood meetings related to the assigned projects.
• Responsible for the identification and completion of various required environmental permitting procedures and requirements working through City, County, State and/or Federal requirements and guidelines, as required.
• Initiates and coordinates right-of-way procedures, assessing impacts and determining needs for easements and/or acquisitions, while complying with funding source or audit procedures and requirements.
• Responsible for the construction contracting and construction management of all assigned projects. Tasks include coordinating the public bidding process, securing inspection and testing services as required, developing contract progress payments, maintaining project status reports for current budget and expense reporting, schedule monitoring/tracking, community relations, construction conflict resolution, coordinating field design changes and initiating/negotiating construction change orders as necessary to accommodate actual field conditions, collecting private funding (when applicable), assimilating required final project documentation, and transmitting record drawing information for mapping.
• Provides technical expertise and engineering assistance to the Public Works field crews for improvements, maintenance, or construction which is being performed by the crew. This service also involves assistance to other City departments upon request which may include testing, surveying, inspection, and design of projects within the jurisdiction of other departments.

Peripheral Duties

• In the event of a civic or civil emergency, position will provide assistance as determined by the City's emergency operations program.

• Understand and be able to apply principles and practices of civil engineering and construction project management as they apply to the planning, design, inspection, and construction of public works projects.
• Possess effective written and oral communication skills and the ability to work with the public, public officials, other department heads and staff, consultants, other agencies and contractors in a knowledgeable and professional manner.
• Position often requires construction conflict resolution with the ability to rapidly analyze technical and/or legal implications in decision making working directly with the City Attorney and Washington Cities Insurance Authority when necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent directly related education.
• Four years of municipal engineering experience
• Professional Engineer registration or the ability to obtain within six months of date of hire.
• One year computer experience with CPM, database, spreadsheet, and word processing applications.
• Valid Washington State Driver's License

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Ability to design and layout public work plan sets as well as develop project specifications. Work for this position may also include using AutoCAD for preliminary design options, conceptual layouts, and bid documents.

Working Conditions
The position involves monitoring work at construction sites under varying weather conditions. Potential hazards at construction sites include vehicular traffic, construction equipment, and uneven terrain. The position may require climbing ladders, scaffolding, and working in trenches or other confined spaces.

Selection Process

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.