Ventura County

Description

WHAT WE OFFER

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package that includes:

• Educational Incentive - An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a graduate's degree.
• Bilingual Incentive - Proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level II), or $1.32 per hour (Level III).
• Annual Leave Accrual - New regular, full-time employees in this classification will earn 208 hours per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service.
• Annual Leave Redemption - An employee may elect to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of vacation accrued in the same year after using 80 hours of vacation in the preceding 12 months. 
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3.00% match on your 401(k) contributions. 
• Health Plans - Full time employees are afforded a flexible credit allowance for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans: Tier one for employee only is $497 per biweekly pay period, tier two for employee plus one is $678 per biweekly pay period and tier three for employee plus family is $825 per biweekly pay period.
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Choice of participation in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase spending power through reimbursement of pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses. 
• Pension Plan - Both the County and employees contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security. If eligible, reciprocity may be established with other public retirement systems, such as PERS.
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.

The PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY employs Engineering Manager I/II/III in four (4) Departments:

• Engineering Services Department is responsible for a range of engineering services to clients in the County of Ventura organization and the public. The Department is comprised of three (3) sections, Engineering, Land Development and Survey. Services include capital program and project management, consultant services contracting, land development, grading, and land surveying.
• Roads & Transportation Department is responsible for planning, designing, funding, building, operating and maintaining the County Road System, approximately 542 centerline miles of roadway, bridges, drainage and related transportation facilities, and coordination of unincorporated area public transit needs.
• Water & Sanitation Department operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to serve the public and is responsible for the administration, customer service, billing, operation, maintenance, design, construction, and inspection of water and sewer systems: specifically four potable water systems, seven sewer collection systems, three wastewater treatment plants, and one recycled water system. The Department is also responsible for program management and administration of the County’s solid waste programs.
• Watershed Protection District operates and maintains 216 miles of improved channels, 55 dams, 4 coastal pump stations and 148 rain and stream gauges with a $2.7B current replacement value; and is responsible for planning, design (hydrology and hydraulic and structural), and construction of flood conveyance assets, and permitting authority for 950 miles of jurisdictional watercourses. The Department also provides staff to the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency.

THE POSITIONS 

The Engineering Manager (EM) I/II, under direction, manages a major section of an engineering department or is responsible for major engineering or surveying program(s) or projects; assists in the planning, organizing, directing and coordinating of the varied activities within a division or section within the Public Works Agency; and performs related duties as assigned.

The Engineering Manager III, under general direction, plans, organizes, integrates and directs the activities and work of a major engineering division within the Public Works Agency or has significant engineering responsibilities, which include supervising a broad range of employees; represents the Agency in matters relating to divisional responsibilities; and performs related duties as assigned. 

There are currently 9 (nine) Regular vacancies; three (3) Regular vacancies (2 EM III and 1 EM I) within Engineering Services; two (2) Regular vacancies (1 EM III and I EM I/II) within Roads and Transportation; two (2) Regular vacancies (EM I/II) within Water and Sanitation; and two (2) Regular vacancies (1 EM III and 1 EM II) within Watershed Protection. 

The Engineering Manager I & III vacancies within Engineering Services (ES) are responsible for managing work within various disciplines including engineering, geology and surveying. The work includes capital program and project management, consultant services contracting, land development, geologic hazards, grading and land surveying.

The Engineering Manager III & I/II vacancies within the Roads and Transportation Department (RTD) are responsible for managing public works projects that involve a variety of major and minor transportation improvements, including, but not limited to, design and construction of new roads, intersection and signal modifications, road widenings, pavement overlays, bike paths, and emergency storm damage repairs; and other related duties. 

The Engineering Manager I & II vacancies within the Water and Sanitation Department (W&S) perform duties under the direction of the W&S Engineering Manager III and are responsible for managing W&S public works projects that involve a variety of water, recycled water and sanitary sewer system improvements, including but not limited to, design and construction of pipelines, reservoirs, booster and pump stations, wells and treatment systems, asset management and wet utilities for land development; and other related duties.

The Engineering Manager II & III vacancies within the Watershed Protection Department (WPD) performs duties under direction of the Director-WPD. One position assists in the administration of the WPD which operates and maintains 216 miles of improved channels, 55 dams, 4 coastal pump stations and 148 rain and stream gauge telemetered flood warning system with a $2.7B current replacement value; and is responsible for planning, design (hydrology and hydraulic and structural) and construction of flood conveyance assets; serves as the permitting authority for 950 miles of jurisdictional watercourses; and one position serves as the Groundwater Manager; implements the County’s Well Ordinance and is the lead staff manager for servicing the Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS 

The Engineering Manager I differs from the Engineering Manager II in that the latter classification is characterized by increased budgetary responsibility, number of staff supervised including supervision of professional engineers, surveyors, technical, and/or clerical employees; complexity of the technical engineering responsibility; and impact of their decisions. The Engineering Manager II differs from the Engineering Manager III in that the Engineering Manager III is more totally accountable for a significant part of departmental operations and may supervise a broader range of management, professional, technical, maintenance and/or clerical staff. 

APPROXIMATE SALARIES

Engineering Manager I: $3,970.82 - $5,559.70/biweekly

Engineering Manager II: $4,340.34 - $6,077.07/biweekly

Engineering Manager III: $4,807.57 - $6,731.26/biweekly

Engineering Manager I, II, III are Management classifications and are not eligible for overtime compensation. Incumbents in this classification are eligible for benefits at the MB3 level.

Examples Of Duties

Duties for Engineering Manager I/II may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Manages a major engineering program, project, or a section’s daily activities including scheduling staff and assignments; setting work priorities; overseeing work; providing technical support; coordinating section’s work with other Public Works sections, County departments/ agencies, and external governmental agencies.
• Researches, analyzes, and interprets information and data necessary to manage projects and implement requirements.
• Acts as project engineer or project manager from initial design to completion, including preparing standards and budget; determining feasibility; assessing environmental impact; negotiating with consultants and various governmental agencies; administering contracts; ensuring federal, state, and county standards and requirements are met; and closing out completed projects.
• Reviews and/or approves plans and specifications, survey records, and environmental documents submitted by contractors, consultants, and other governmental agencies; issues or helps to obtain appropriate permits.
• Assists in the development, implementation and achievement of goals, objectives, policies, engineering, and/or surveying standards and priorities; researches and identifies funding sources for projects.
• Reviews or ensures public safety in design, construction, maintenance, and/or operation of public works related projects and facilities or in the operation of the flood warning system.
• Sets-up, maintains, and utilizes databases and other specialized public works computer systems.
• Inspects project sites to assist in resolving difficult problems; develops and interprets specifications and standards; and initiates and reviews change orders.
• Prepares, coordinates, and monitors budget for assigned area and may develop and write proposals for grant applications; administers grants; and prepares documentation for reimbursement of federal and state funds.
• Represents the agency/department at meetings and conferences with other governmental agencies, the public, community leaders, special interest groups, contractors/consultants, and private organizations; may serve as Agency information officer during and following storms.
• Assists with or supervises, hires, trains, counsels and evaluates assigned staff; recommends or imposes management or disciplinary action.
• Responds verbally and in writing to inquiries from developers, contractors, consultants, staff, members of the Board of Supervisors, other governmental agencies and the public.
• Conducts analyses and develops plans associated with projects.
• Analyzes data; prepares or directs the preparation of records, correspondence, reports, responses to outside claims, and/or property surveys, legal descriptions, corner records, etc.
• May visit sites and perform field review of facilities and infrastructure and direct repairs subsequent to disasters and emergencies; may investigate complaints from the public to resolve issues and concerns; may testify in court and at hearings and participate in depositions; may supervise and assist in the planning and implementation of in-service programs and make oral presentations; and may take responsible charge of surveying projects requiring a professional license.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Duties for Engineering Manager III may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Responsible for all activities of the division while planning, directing, and supervising divisional resources.
• Coordinates activities with other divisions, departments, state, federal and local agencies, property owners, developers, or private engineers.
• Directs the preparation and administration of annual budgets; identifies needs and makes or approves purchases for necessary supplies, materials, and rentals to accomplish divisional assignments.
• Acts as project engineer and manages projects from initial design to completion, including preparing standards and budget; determining feasibility; assessing environmental impact; negotiating with consultants; administering contracts; ensuring federal, state, and county standards and requirements are met; and approving completed project.
• Supervises the preparation of special written engineering reports, specialized studies, and contract documents.
• Supervises, hires, trains, counsels staff; recommends and imposes management and disciplinary action; evaluates professional, management, technical, and/or maintenance staff; supervises subordinate staff in the assigned work unit including preparing major disciplinary actions.
• Directs the review of work performed by private engineering firms under contract.
• Reviews and recommends departmental policies on technical standards and specifications.
• Supervises and directs the negotiations and preparation of joint powers agreements with other agencies; conducts negotiations with developers, contractors, consultants, and other service or product providers.
• Evaluates existing or proposed legislation as to its operational or financial effects on departmental activities.
• May visit sites and perform field review of subdivisions, facilities and infrastructure construction; direct repairs subsequent to natural and man-made disasters.
• May conduct field investigations or complaints from the public and resolves issues and concerns.
• May assist County Counsel, testify in court, and participate in depositions.
• May handle direct negotiations and agreements with developers, consultants, etc.
• May represent the Agency before the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors or other governing or advisory bodies.
• May schedule and conduct citizen advisory committee meetings.
• May oversee enforcement of a variety of County ordinances and includes fines, fees, recording of legal notices, hearings, and educating the public to facilitate compliance.
• May oversee the collection of fees for water, sewer, and other services.
• May review and approve maps and sign and seal maps as Professional Land Surveyor; oversee the preparation of geodetic and property surveys and the maintenance of legal records.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING and EXPERIENCE

Engineering Manager I and II: Completion of a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, or equivalent AND a minimum of four (4) years (Engineering Manager I) to six (6) years (Engineering Manager II) of progressively responsible professional civil engineering experience including at least one (1) year of public works project management experience. 

Engineering Manager III: Progressively responsible experience related to the specific program assignment which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically obtained by completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Surveying AND two (2) years managing an engineering or surveying section at a level equivalent to an Engineering Manager II. 

Equivalency for the Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering may include: 

• California certification as an Engineer-in-Training (Fundamentals of Engineering) AND four (4) years' civil engineering related experience; OR
• Possession of a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, related engineering, physical science or mathematics AND three (3) years' civil engineering related experience; OR 
• Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California. 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (all levels)

• Must possess and maintain a valid California driver's license; 
• California registration as a:
• Professional/Civil Engineer in the branch appropriate to the assigned position;
• Land Surveyor; 
• Professional Geologist; OR
• Professional Hydrologist with the American Institute of Hydrology.
• Ability to walk on rough or uneven surfaces; and withstand exposure to dust, noise, chemicals, gas, fumes, heights, and inclement weather or hazardous conditions requiring moderate to heavy physical activities; and 
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Skills must be demonstrated in the completion of the employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (Engineering Manager III) 

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California in the branch appropriate to the assigned position or as a Licensed Land Surveyor.

DESIRED

• Effective, demonstrated experience with public speaking and public contact.
• Some experience with emergency disaster service and response for a public works agency/entity.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and maintenance management software.
• Familiarity with project budgeting principles.
• Experience in reading and interpreting reports and plans.
• Ability to present to the Board of Supervisors or other governing or advisory bodies including citizen advisory committees.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES 

Thorough to comprehensive knowledge of: the principles and practices of engineering relating to public works projects; project and contract management techniques; surveying; environmental science; modern methods and techniques used in the design and construction of a wide variety of public works projects such as roads, streets, flood control facilities, water and wastewater utility facilities, buildings or groundwater studies; National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and applicable, state, federal and local laws and regulations, ordinances, etc.; modern developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding public works projects; the principles and practices of administration, budgeting, supervision and training;

Knowledge of: principles, practices, methods and techniques used in public works disaster service and response.

Working ability to: apply engineering, environmental, or surveying knowledge to the planning, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining of roads, water quality and supply, sanitation, flood control, traffic, hydrology, buildings, subdivisions, and other public works facilities; make complex engineering computations and check; design and supervise the construction of a wide variety of public and private facilities; conduct independent project engineering; manage projects including designing, planning, monitoring, and approving work; prepare and monitor budgets and grants; identify needs and assignments and exercise judgment in carrying them out; plan, research, design, and perform hydrological and geological studies and reports; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; prepare complex reports and make recommendations; plan, organize, train, motivate, evaluate, and supervise the work of subordinates and consultants; negotiate and deal effectively with a variety of governmental officials and contractors; maintain cooperative working relationships with federal, state and local officials, and the general public; and make decisions under emergency conditions such as earthquakes, during storms, and while flood fighting, based on Agency policies. 

Working ability to (III): render decisions under controversial conditions and those involving considerable public interest based upon established legal or engineering standards.

Comprehensive ability to (III): effectively plan and direct the work of a professional and technical engineering, surveying and/or maintenance division; conduct comprehensive engineering studies; prepare complex reports and make recommendations on major projects; analyze complex engineering problems and use sound engineering judgment in their resolution; confer extensively and effectively with various governmental agencies, private engineers, land developers, other firms and the general public; effectively perform administrative responsibilities; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Skilled in: effective operation of office computer systems, programs and equipment such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Maintenance Management.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Work is performed primarily in an office environment and may include travel to and from construction and maintenance sites, which may involve working near equipment or machinery.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by the County of Ventura, Human Resources no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. 

To apply online, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura, Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

NOTE TO APPLICANTS: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualification. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application; however, it/they may not be substituted in lieu of the application.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam at the time of filing. This questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in removal of the application from further consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether the stated requirements are met. Applicants meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the recruitment process.

TRAINING and EXPERIENCE EVALUATION: A Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) is a structured evaluation of the job application materials submitted by a candidate, including the written responses to the supplemental questionnaire. The T&E is NOT a determination of whether the candidate meets the stated requirements; rather, the T&E is one method for determining who are the better qualified among those who have shown that they meet the stated requirements. In a T&E, applications are either scored or rank ordered according to criteria that most closely meet the business needs of the department. Candidates are typically scored/ranked in relation to one another; consequently, when the pool of candidates is exceptionally strong, many qualified candidates may receive a score or rank which is moderate or even low resulting in them not being advanced in the process.

NOTE: The selection process will likely consist of an Oral Examination, which may be preceded by or replaced with a score from a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool. In a typical T&E, your training and experience are evaluated in relation to the background, experience and factors identified for successful job performance during a job analysis. For this reason, it is recommended that your application materials clearly show your relevant background and specialized knowledge, skills, and abilities. It is also highly recommended that the supplemental questions within the application are completed with care and diligence. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

ORAL EXAMINATION – 100%: A job-related oral examination may be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an examination will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to each application, and each applicant will be placed on the eligible list.

ELIGIBLE LIST: Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill present and future Regular (including Temporary, and Fixed-term), Extra Help and Intermittent vacancies.

Note: If appointed at the lower level, incumbents may be promoted to the higher level without further examination upon meeting the minimum requirements, demonstrating satisfactory performance, and in accordance with business needs of the department. 

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: The selected candidate may be subjected to a thorough post-offer, pre-employment background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Kelli Fitzgerald by email at kelli.fitzgerald@ventura.org.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. 

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

MANAGEMENT

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's (Download PDF reader)
• Memorandum of Agreement 

Union Codes: MB3, MB4, MS, MT, MCC, MU

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