CHIEF ENGINEER

Definition

Under direction, has complete charge of, supervises, and administers all technical engineering work involved in the design, maintenance, construction, and/or operation of facilities equipment and/or structures; does related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

These positions have responsibility for directing and supervising major work projects involved in field and/or office engineering activities. Administers and monitors contracts with approved vendors and evaluates their work.

Typical duties include planning, organizing, and assigning, work through subordinate supervisors, maintaining quality and priority control, and overseeing administrative activities of the unit.

Positions in this class give technical supervision and guidance on assignments of a difficult nature, conducting conferences with staff and administrative and technical representatives from constructing firms in order to acquaint them with governmental regulations, procedures, requirements, or to seek agreement of controversial issues.

Examples of work

• Establishes engineering standards and policies for inspection, maintenance, and construction of facilities equipment or structure in accordance with engineering principles and safety regulations.
• Directs through subordinate supervisors the work performed by subordinate professional staff by providing technical advise and direction in such activities as engineering studies, evaluations and projects; preparation and review of specifications and site plans; and surveys and inspections.
• Recommends revisions in procedures and solutions to administrative and personnel problems within the unit; reviews and evaluates progress reports and summaries form subordinate supervisors.
• Directs and coordinates engineering staff engaged in various aspects of engineering work for the construction or modification of facility equipment or structures.
• Directs and coordinates engineering staff engaged in various aspects of engineering work for the construction or modified of facility equipment or structures.
• Directs and coordinates engineering staff in the conduct of performance studies to determine the most feasible approach.
• Develops and implements a program involving the construction, inspection, maintenance, and repair of facility equipment and structures.
• Confers with various governmental official and administrative staff concerning fiscal requirements, changes in organizational policy, pertinent regualtions, and other problems affecting the organization.
• Consults with general contractors on construction projects.
• Prepares reports of construction costs, time spent, and materials used.
• May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Experience

Three (3) years of supervisory experience in the design, construction and maintenance of facilities or structures which shall have included the preparation and review of engineering plans and specifications.

License

Appointees must possess engineer's license issued by the New Jersey State Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGES AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the siting and layout of facilities systems and/or structures including design, specification, and cost estimate functions.

Knowledge of the construction function of facilities and structure which includes the scheduling of inspections and the monitoring of materials, methods and equipment used in construction.

Knowledge of the features, characteristics, and components of the various systems and equipment in a particular setting.

Ability to plan and organize work for staff (professional and para professional) through subordinate supervisor and review and evaluate the technical work performed by staff; to recommend personnel actions; and to perform administrative tasks.

Ability to evaluate engineering and construction work in the field.

Ability to estimate costs and requirements for large engineering projects and to coordinate utilization of personnel engaged in monitoring projects.

Ability to represent the organization in private contract talks/negotiations as a competent professional and in securing desired compliance and cooperation.

Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.