Engineering Technician I: Surface Water Aide (Surface Water Management)

Join our team as a Surface Water Aide, working under the Surface Water and Environmental Engineering Manager. Assist with Public Works programs and projects, supporting the Surface Water Management (SWM) Utility and Maintenance and Operations (M&O) Program.

Responsibilities include database maintenance, inspections, work order tracking, and field / office mapping of the City's storm system.

Serve as a public contact, providing information and education on SWM utility and M&O programs. Apply today to make a difference in our community.

Salary Range : $70,202.64 - $85,345.68 annually. DOE

COMPETITIVE BENEFITS PACKAGE : The City of Des Moines offers a competitive and robust benefits package to include :

• Washington state retirement plan-PERS
• 401(a) tax deferred account and 457 deferred compensation, which includes an employer contribution for both accounts
• P aid vacation and sick leave with up to fourteen (14) paid holidays per year
• Four (4) different medical plan options to choose from
• Employer paid vision and dental plan
• Long term disability, life insurance and much more
• HRA and HRA-Veba plans funded with contributions from the City

Closing Date

Open until filled. First review of applications on July 11, 2024.

To Apply

Complete the online application at attach a resume and cover letter explaining how you meet the requirements.

Nature of Work

The Surface Water Aide works under the direct supervision of the Surface Water and Environmental Engineering Manager. The Surface Water Aide assists in implementing programs and projects in the Public Works Department.

Work assigned involves providing effective office and field operation aid to the Surface Water Management (SWM) Utility and associated Maintenance and Operations Program.

The incumbent is responsible for maintaining database records, completing inspections, and tracking work orders used by the SWM Crew.

The Surface Water Aide also performs field and office mapping of the City's storm system and serves as a point of contact for the public, providing general information or education about the SWM utility and M&O programs.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Engineering Technician I is the entry-level classification for the office and field sub-professional engineering work and reports to an appropriate supervisory or manager-level position.

Incumbents normally perform job duties under close supervision. In some activities, especially as proficiency is developed, work may be performed independently, without immediate supervision.

Positions in this nonprofessional class work perform simple engineering-related support tasks, including researching, managing data, compiling data for reports, completing inspections, and providing engineering information to the public.

Contacts include inter and intra-departmental personnel, other agencies, and the public to exchange information and answer inquiries.

The Engineering Technician I is distinguished from the Engineering Technician II and III by complexity, technical nature of tasks, and ability to work independently.

Essential Functions

• Maintains database records for the Surface Water Management (SWM) Utility.
• Assists the SWM Technician III, as needed, with field inspections of public and private drainage projects.
• Provides support to the SWM Utilities public education and outreach programs.
• Maintains records of inspection and work orders used by SWM Utility maintenance crews. Answers telephone, greets the public, and provides general information about the SWM utility and M&O programs.
• Performs field and office mapping and verification of the City's storm system.
• Performs and assists in locating and documenting the source of pollutant spills, provides public information and spill prevention materials, and coordinates cleanup efforts with maintenance crews and possible enforcement.
• Assists with inspecting all City-owned detention and treatment facilities to ensure they are appropriately maintained.
• Updates or assists in updating the SWM Utility's element of the City's Graphic Information System (GIS), to include updates for new construction and system corrections.
• Keeps and maintains the SWM Utility's maps, plans, and records.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative, effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, and the general public using principles of good customer service.
• Reports for scheduled work with regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned, including but not limited to being assigned to work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, equalize peak work periods, or balance the workload.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of :

• Public works inspection / documentation.
• Street and storm drainage system design and function.
• Construction methods and techniques.
• King County Surface Water Design Manual and its application.
• Computer database programming principles.
• Microsoft Office Suite products with an emphasis on Microsoft Word and Excel.

Ability to :

• Speak, read, and write English.
• Communicate with the public with courtesy and patience.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Physical activities involve walking, sitting, bending, kneeling, climbing, grasping, crawling, and repetitive motions of hands and wrists.
• Ability to organize and maintain computerized work and expense records and to design and produce effective quarterly progress reports.
• Aid engineers in solving complex engineering problems. This includes basic math and the ability to reason and analyze statistics, data, and numbers.
• Problem-solving, making independent judgments, and taking action as necessary.
• Maintain accurate and adequate public documents.
• Perform essential functions of the position under adverse field conditions such as inclement weather, sloped surfaces, heights, or confined spaces.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Associate Degree in Engineering Technology, drafting, environmental science, or computer programming / drafting or related field, OR;
• One year of relevant work experience as an engineering technician, OR;
• A combination of experience and training enabling the individual to perform the position's essential functions may be considered.
• One year of experience in computer database management is preferred.
• One year of inspection experience related to public improvements is preferred.
• Basic engineering hydraulic and hydrology knowledge or experience is desired.

Special Requirements

• Possession of and the ability to maintain a valid Washington State Driver's License throughout employment with a good driving record.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment background and criminal history check.
• Because of the known effects of tobacco use, the City of Des Moines does not hire applicants who use tobacco products.

Working Conditions and Physical Abilities

Environment :

Outdoor and indoor work environment; subject to driving a vehicle to conduct work. Outdoor environments include uneven and unstable walking surfaces, tripping hazards, and inclement weather conditions.

Physical Abilities :

Climbing ladders and working at heights on sloped surfaces; walking, kneeling, standing, or crouching; hearing and speaking to exchange information;

and occasionally lifting objects up to fifty (50) pounds.

Hazards :

Working on or around heavy equipment, ladders, and scaffolding; exposure to various chemicals, fumes, odors, and gases; tripping hazards from construction site debris and unstable walking surfaces;

unrestrained animals; contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The City of Des Moines is committed to hiring a diverse workforce, and all qualified applicants, including those from all ethnic backgrounds and persons with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.

The City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, an employer is obligated to make a reasonable accommodation only to the known limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability.

In general, it is the responsibility of the applicant or employee with a disability to inform the employer that accommodation is needed to participate in the application process, perform essential job functions, or receive equal benefits and employment privileges.

General Information

• The statements herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job classification, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.
• The physical abilities described above are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• The provisions of this job description do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and / or revoked without notice.
• Updated 2024.

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