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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 01-19-1999 - 9eOrange County Board of Commissioners Action Agenda Item Abstract Meeting Date: January 19, 1999 Action Agenda Item No. q_L, Subject: Engineering Associate Position -Duties, Status and Classification Plan Amendment Department: County Manager and Personnel Public Hearing: Yes No X Budget Amendment Needed: Yes No X Attachment(s): Information Contact: 1-Outline of Major Duties Paul Thames, County Engineer 2- New Engineering Associate Class Specification Extension 2303 Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director Extension 2550 Telephone Number: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 227-2031 r Purpose: To consider the duties and time limited status of the Engineering Associate position established to support the County Engineer and to amend the Orange County Classification and Pay Plan to establish the class of Engineering Associate at Salary Grade 68 ($30,034 - $47,753). Background: The Manager's Recommended Budget for 1998-99 included a recommended new Engineering Associate position to support the County Engineer. The Board approved this position on a two-year time limited basis with the understanding that staff would return with additional recommendations as to the position's duties. Recommended Position Duties The position has been designed to provide the technical staff support to the County Engineer necessary to address the on-going engineering workload and increases in the workload associated with upcoming Board of Commissioners' initiatives. The Engineering Associate position has been envisioned as a senior level technician (as opposed to a graduate or professional engineer) who could regularly assist in or assume some of the County Engineer's technical or administrative responsibilities related to operation and expansion of 2 the Efland Sewer System; small project design; construction project oversight; Board approved capital investment program (CIP) projects; environmental and natural resource goals; energy efFciency initiatives; and various analytical and advisory functions. Attachment 1 is an outline of the position's recommended duties. The minimum qualifications for an individual who could provide the level of assistance in accomplishing the tasks outlined above and in Attachment 1 would include: 1. A technical school associate degree in engineering technology. 2. Proficiency in the use of computers, as well as word processing, spreadsheet, engineering drafting and modeling software. 3. Several years experience in the production of construction documents and field supervision of the construction of a variety of public works projects that include water and wastewater treatment/collection/distribution/supply, large grading/paving projects, storm water collection and the like. 4. Proficiency in oral and written communication of technical concepts to a wide range of technically and non-technically oriented public officials, policy makers, staff and citizens. Recommendation as to School Design and Construction Functions During and just prior to the Board's review of this position in the June budget work session, there was some discussion about the possibility or advisability of using this position to provide some level of assistance in or oversight of the school design and construction process. Staff have researched and evaluated the level of knowledge and skills that would be required for an individual to provide significant technical input into the design and construction of schools (or any other building). Staff has concluded that the qualifications and salary grade recommended for the Engineering Associate position would be inadequate to recruit an individual possessing the education and skills necessary to proved effective oversight of school design and construction activities. Beyond this, it also is apparent that, given the projected level of school construction activity for the upcoming years, providing a significant level of input in or oversight of school construction would be a full time job in itself. If the Board wishes to pursue a strategy of providing oversight to the design and construction of school buildings or other buildings falling under the County jurisdiction, it is recommended that the Board consider creating a separate position to accomplish this task. It is likely that an individual who could effectively accomplish these tasks will be a registered or licensed engineer or architect, experienced in the design and construction of buildings and building systems (structures, electrical, plumbing and HVAC). Time Limited Status As part of staff efforts to develop recommendations relative to the Engineering Associate position's duties, staff also have evaluated the impact of the two year time limited status on recruitment for this position. Staff believes that the time limited status will significantly impact the availability and quality of candidates for this technical position. In the local labor market, filling the position most likely will require that the County attract a candidate who already is employed. The time limited status makes it much more difficult to attract a 3 candidate from an on-going position to one for which there is uncertainty as to the future. This status also makes it more likely that a time limited employee would leave County service if another non- time limited position becomes available. Staff projects that the functions of the Engineering Associate position will be on-going and the services provided by the position will continue to be needed in the future. Consequently, it is in the County's interest to attract the best qualified candidate available and seek to retain that candidate over the long term. Recommendation: The Manager recommends the Board: ^ Approve the recommended duties for the Engineering Associate position as outlined in Attachment 1. ^ Change the position from two year permanent time limited to a regular permanent (not time limited) position. ^ Amend the Classification and Pay Plan to establish the new class of Engineering Associate at Salary Grade 68. k:\elg in\classify\manager\engassoc.doc December 5, 1998 4 Attachment 1 Major Duties Engineering Associate Position 1. Efland Sewer System a. Oversee the operation of the Efland sewer system. (1) Review invoices for treatment costs, billing expenses and maintenance costs. (2) Evaluate waste treatment and power costs to determine trends in total waste flows to detect storm water infiltration or other unusual and unsatisfactory conditions. (3) Coordinate with property owners/customers, contractors, NCDOT and other utility owners as necessary to install service taps to existing sewer lines. (4) Investigate customer complaints to determine the nature and source of problems, and responsibility for effecting remedial actions and repairs. Follow through to effectively respond. b. Support the Efland sewer expansion. (1) Provide technical and administrative assistance with the workload related to upcoming short- and long-term projects and initiatives related to expansion of the Efland sewer system. (2) Participate in consultant selection and development of design contract (3) Develop draft project scope for BOCC approval. (4) Identify and implement construction and operation financing strategies. (5) Identify permanent and construction easements. (6) Coordinate easement acquisition process. (7) Coordinate construction grant application and permitting process. (8) Oversee project construction activities. (9)Administer construction contract and close-out process. (10) Set up revised/expanded maintenance and billing operations. 2. Eno River Use a. Oversee the operational provisions of the Eno River Capacity Use Agreement. 5 (1) Monitor instream flow. (2) Coordinate releases and withdrawals from the Eno River. (3) Monitor the water level at Lake Orange and effect measured releases. b. Implement the new Hillsborough reservoir-related modification of the Eno River Capacity Use operating requirements and activities. (1) Create and implement new reservoir release and instream flow maintenance and reporting strategies. (2) Design and install new monitoring equipment Lake Orange and east fork of the Eno River. 3. Engineering Technical Support to County Departments a. Provide engineering review and analysis to Planning Department (1) Review and comment on the standard engineering practice and environmental aspects of development plans. (2) Review engineering aspects of environmental impact statements, watershed, natural area protection and utility regulations. (3) Review construction letters of credit for subdivision roads. (4) Provide engineering design for roadway, storm drainage and utility development aspects of land use modeling scenarios. b. Provide miscellaneous engineering assistance to various County departments (1) Analyze building/office space layout and suggest design. (2) Complete topographical and resource evaluation of land prior to purchase and development. (3) Use computer aided design (CAD) systems to produce building and site layouts and maps. 4. County Construction and Construction-Related Projects a. Work with vazious County departments (Housing & Community Development, Purchasing, Public Works) to provide appropriate assistance to design, evaluate, monitor or manage construction or construction related projects 6 (1) Participate in and advise in the process to select design consultants. (2) Review construction documents. (3) Review, verify and approve construction contractor applications for payment. (4) Develop preliminary cost estimates for inclusion into CIP budget process. (5) Review post-design construction cost estimates for County and County-sponsored projects. (6) Create design documents for County site development, paving, utility infrastructure projects. b. Support expansion of programs and facilities at Northern Human Services Center. (1) Design expansion of wastewater treatment system. (2) Oversee system bidding and construction process 5. Energy Efficiency a. Inventory, monitor and evaluate the energy efficiency of the County's energy consuming infrastructure. b. Compile and maintain records of current and historical energy use in County facilities. c. Evaluate investments in energy saving technologies and energy expenditures to document energy savings and return on investment. d. Develop strategies to obtain additional improvements in energy efficiency and identify cost effective energy investment strategies. 6. Solid Waste a. As assigned, provide technical support to site selection and evaluation for recycling, materials recovery, transfer station, construction debris. b. Support site selection, evaluation, and design of County solid waste collection centers. c. Assess landfill operational impacts related to blasting, ground surface subsidence, ground water contamination, and the like. 7. Water Quality a. Advise on watershed protection strategies, techniques and practices. b. Assist in assessing potential public health and water quality implications of inadequate water and wastewater facilities. c. Conduct Neuse River Basin and NPDES Phase II storm water control/permitting activities. (1) Monitor development and implementation of federal/state storm water regulatory requirements for local governments. (2) Provide storm water systems engineering input into local government zoning/development regulatory process. (3) Monitor storm water best management practices sites as required. 8. Committee/Workgroup Support Represent the County or staff various intergovernmental committees, work groups, ad hoc committees, etc. related to environmental, energy and utility issues, policies and regulations. a. Water & Sewer Boundary Task Force b. Water Resources Committee c. Triangle J Water Supply Monitoring Task Force d. Upper Neuse Basin Association e. Triangle J Electric Generation Deregulation Study Group f. Neuse-White Oak Association 9. Other Study/evaluate/clarify/report engineering/environmental/technical issues of concern to the County's citizens, elected officials, policy makers and staff such as: a. NCDOT roadway construction, bridge replacement, signalization, traffic control, storm water runoff activities, projects and policies. b. Land use implications of various utility construction or extension practices and policies. H:\e\eng l .doc November 18, 1998 8 C3085-12/98 ENGINEERING ASSOCIATE GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF WORK: Performs difficult technical work participating in the administration, operation, planning, design and construction of a variety of public facilities; does related work as required. Work is performed under general supervision. TYPICAL TASKS: Oversees the Efland sewer system; Reviews invoices for treatment costs, billing expenses and maintenance costs; Coordinates and oversees the work of private contractors in the installation of taps to existing sewer lines; Investigates and responds to customer complaints; Ensures that easements are acquired for all properties that are impacted by sewer construction activities;, Works with the County Engineer in coordinating releases and withdrawals from the Eno River and Lake Orange in accordance with the provisions of the Eno River Capacity Use Agreement; Provides written background and detailed documentation related to the review, evaluation, analysis and creation of studies, reports, regulations, legislation and the like regarding engineering, utility or environmental issues; Works with the County Engineer in monitoring, maintaining inventory, and evaluating County infrastructure related to energy consumption; Plans and prepares construction documents and oversees construction of various utility, paving and site development projects; Develops and reviews cost estimates for County and Housing/Community Development department construction projects; Serves as alternate to the County Engineer on various local intergovernmental committees and task forces related to environmental, energy and utility issues; Performs related tasks as required. KNOWLEDGES. SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Thorough knowledge of civil engineering and surveying principles, practices, techniques and methods; general knowledge of construction principles, practices, and techniques; skill in operating computer programs and AutoCAD systems; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, employees, contractors, State and Federal Government representatives and the general public; ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively, orally and in writing; ability to manage multiple projects, work independently and meet deadlines; EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited two year college or university with major course work related to civil engineering technology and at least two years experience in public works, site development, utility engineering, construction design or related area. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina.