Construction Engineer II

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT

3B72
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER II

Specialties
( Civil ) ( Electrical ) ( Mechanical )

GENERAL DEFINITION

This is supervisory engineering work directing through subordinate engineering supervisors the activities of engineers, technicians and inspectors engaged in inspecting construction projects. Employees in this class make final decisions in contractual disputes and resolves complex engineering construction problems. Supervising and coordinating the activities of an engineering and technical staff to insure that work is performed by contractors in accordance to approved plans and specifications are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative engineering superior.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

All Specialties

Supervises the review of plans and specifications for proposed construction projects prepared by departmental designers or engineering consultants; determines if there are any utility or other obstructions which may interfere with the implementation of the plans and specifications; confers with representatives of department and/or consulting firms to resolve problems and interpret specifications.
Attends pre-construction job meetings to review all aspects of construction projects; indicates priorities for the completion of various aspects of the work; reviews sections of the plans and specifications that may present interpretation or construction problems; determines if contractors' proposals meet structural and safety requirements; reviews and approves all sub-contractors and materials suppliers to be used by the primary contractor in carrying out the work.
Confers with engineering subordinates to assign personnel to construction projects; makes on-site inspections of construction while in progress and upon completion; makes changes in contracts or plans to compensate for field conditions that do not affect engineering or design integrity of the project; stops work and confers with superior, departmental design engineers and/or consultants to resolve changes involving engineering of design integrity of the project; prepares change orders; makes final inspections of construction projects.
Replies to a variety of correspondence from contractors, consulting engineers, governmental agencies and organizations and others regarding the interpretation of specifications, policy determination, approval of materials and equipment and workmanship standards; prepares correspondence to federal government regarding subsidized programs; notifies federal agencies of work changes.
Reviews and checks monthly estimates of work completed; examines estimates and reports to determine whether all facets of construction have been adhered to before authorizing payment; reviews and approves contract work estimates used as basis for partial payment.
Supervises and reviews the preparation of drawings, engineering designs, specifications, quantity calculations, cost estimates, engineering computations and related engineering work in the office as well as in the field.
Supervises the review of shop drawings for compliance with the contract plans and specifications, and reviews and supervises the review of requests for revisions of the plans and specifications.
Answers complaints by citizens pertaining to damage, inconvenience or nuisance created by construction work.
Uses personal computers with data base and/or project management software to enter data, produce forms and prepare reports.
Performs duties described above on the following types of engineering projects:

Civil Specialty

Recreation, airport, park, water and sewer structures facilities and equipment, highways, bridges, public works structures and installations and other civil engineering phases of public works projects.

Electrical Specialty

Power distribution, lighting, heating, ventilation, communications and transit systems, and other electrical engineering phases of public works projects.

Mechanical Specialty

Pumping equipment, incinerator and transfer systems, heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems and other mechanical engineering phases of public works projects.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

the principles and practices of engineering in the area of specialization as applied to the construction of public works.
the engineering theory and the methods and techniques of engineering in the area of specialization as applied in inspecting and testing materials used in public work construction projects.
contract administration including scheduling and the preparation of contract and change orders.
the strength and use of construction materials and equipment.
engineering mathematics as applied to construction projects.
supervisory methods and techniques.

ABILITY TO:

supervise an inspection program of public works construction projects.
implement public works construction programs, develop construction standards and organize procedures.
evaluate alternative construction modifications for soundness of engineering features and economic feasibility and make sound recommendations.
analyze construction and specification interpretation problems and to exercise sound judgment in their resolutions.
analyze data and explain contract deviations to contractors and to resolve disputes firmly and tactfully.
review and analyze construction cost proposals for construction change orders and to negotiate a final cost with the contractor.
review and analyze contractor's proposed work schedule prepared either by conventional or Critical Path Method type scheduling.
communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, contractors and others.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

(The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 9/85.)

Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering in the area of specialization.
Five years of civil, electrical or mechanical engineering experience inspecting public works construction projects, one year of which has been above the full performance level in any of the following areas:

Engineering work as an assistant squad leader of a squad of design engineers or as a squad leader over a small group of engineers and engineering assistants in the area of specialization.
Construction engineering work supervising, through technical subordinates, the inspection of public works construction projects to assure good workmanship and contractors' adherence to plans, specifications and contract requirements in the area of specialization.
Engineering work in a staff capacity reviewing and recommending the revision of designs, plans, specifications, and other contract documents for engineering feasibility and adherence to standards and practices in the area of specialization.

Or any equivalent combination of training and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department which has included completion of a bachelor's degree program in an acceptable area of engineering as an education minimum.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES

Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as a Construction Engineer II if required by work assignment.
Eligibility for registration as a professional engineer as issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers at the time of application and possession of such registration within six months of appointment as a Construction Engineer II if required by the work assignment.

PAY RANGE: EP25
Class Established: 5/1969

Latest Spec. Revision: 9/1985

CO/sb/deb

END OF JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION - 3B72

3B72CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER II

3B72
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER II