Engineer I/II/III

The City of Suffolk offers an in-person Engineer I/II/III role for engineers who want to apply their technical skills to real-world capital improvement work and private development review. This position manages complex engineering projects, programs, and engineering reviews with minimal supervision, reporting to the Utility Engineering Manager. The role includes environmental management, compliance and enforcement, public support, and significant involvement in division operational and policy decisions. Salary range is USD 68,941 - 133,130 per year (Hall, WA onsite).

Responsibilities

• Provide recommendations to interdepartmental staff to support Planning Commission and City Council actions, helping ensure City requirements and special needs are met.
• Coordinate with interdepartmental teams to support updates to the City’s comprehensive plan related to growth and water and sewer infrastructure needs.
• Investigate and resolve complex, highly technical issues connected to private development and related operational problems to keep review procedures and design tasks on schedule.
• Manage efforts to meet drinking water and wastewater federal, State, and City regulatory program requirements, including developing internal staff work plans.
• Develop design requirements for rehabilitation of existing infrastructure, including pumping stations and other drinking water and sanitary sewer design elements.
• Conduct private development and capital project design reviews using the City’s project review software.
• Provide project management for complex capital improvement efforts involving streets, drainage, utilities, and/or facility improvements, including administering contracts, managing design, and performing site inspections as needed.
• Monitor expenditures and financial status of assigned projects and serve as a liaison between the City and other agencies.
• Prepare and monitor project correspondence, contract bid documents, project meetings, and utility relocations; develop schedules; and provide support for other CIP staff.
• Coordinate inspection staff activities to enforce City codes and programs; manage utility relocations; resolve conflicts between plan data and field conditions; and monitor right of way acquisition.
• Coordinate engineers, contractors, surveyors, consultants, and other professionals for project design and construction, including meetings with developers/engineers on City policies and standards.
• Oversee preparation of contract specifications and bid documents, conduct public bid openings, support award recommendations, prepare certification of funds, and oversee contract execution.
• Review project plans, change orders, and payment requests; review material submittals for compliance.
• Review complex or politically sensitive private development plans and plats for compliance with City, State, and Federal codes and engineering standards.
• Provide supervision, guidance, and leadership for departmental projects (including serving as a plan review coordinator where assigned).
• Supervise/coordinate inspection services for City capital improvement and private development projects and coordinate inspection work with department objectives.
• Coordinate permitting and compliance with other agencies (including Army Corps of Engineers, EPA, VDOT, VDH, HRSD, DEQ, ODCR, and/or VMRC).
• Review and approve bond estimates, issue permits, coordinate inspections, and cite violations as appropriate.
• Respond to citizen questions, concerns, or complaints related to drainage, erosion, traffic, utility systems, and departmental services; investigate, confer, and initiate resolution.
• Provide public information, education, and technical assistance; meet with local businesses and citizen groups impacted by City projects.
• Coordinate property/easement acquisition for City projects, including appraisals, plat preparation, and deeds of easement or transfer.
• Update the Public Facilities Manual for standard operating procedures and assist with policies related to new regulations, standards, required fees, and engineering functions.
• Perform quantity takeoffs and cost estimates for proposed projects and economic development initiatives.
• Research new construction methods, materials, and procedures and make recommendations for City use.
• Prepare and/or complete reports, correspondence, designs/drawings, spreadsheets, presentations, and other documentation.
• Attend meetings, serve on committees, and support grant writing and monitoring of grant fund expenditures and reimbursements.
• Update computer databases and monitor funding availability; update staff billing time sheets.
• Assist citizens in reviewing plans for proposed City/State construction projects.
• Perform general/clerical tasks, which may include answering calls, typing documents, copying standard documents and blueprints, handling faxes, filing, and processing mail.

Requirements

• Engineer I: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or closely related field required, plus 5 months of prior experience and/or training involving engineering plan review, project management, computer-aided engineering design, or personal computer operations.
• Preferred: Virginia Engineer-in-Training certification (Engineer I).
• Engineer II: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or closely related field and 3 years of project management experience for design/construction, engineering plan review, computer-aided engineering design, or closely related work (or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience).
• Engineer II: Must possess and maintain a valid Virginia Engineer-in-Training certification and a valid driver’s license.
• Engineer III: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or closely related field plus 6 years previous experience or training and 10 years in project management for design/construction, engineering plan review, computer-aided engineering design, or closely related experience (or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience).
• Engineer III: Requires a valid driver’s license and must possess and maintain a valid Virginia Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.

Technologies

• City’s project review software
• Computer databases
• Spreadsheets
• Blueprints