Consulting Engineer (Planning & Project Development) - Austin Energy

About This Position

Austin Energy's Corporate Support Services Division, Planning and Project Development Section, seeks a Consulting Engineer to manage a diverse portfolio of vertical and horizontal construction projects, facility improvements, and space reconfigurations that support mission-critical utility operations. Under limited supervision, this position directs projects through all phases of development, including planning, design, budgeting, procurement, contract administration, permitting, construction oversight, and post-construction services. The role collaborates with engineers, architects, consultants, contractors, vendors, regulatory agencies, and internal stakeholders to deliver projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with contract requirements.

The successful candidate will apply expertise in City of Austin Building Technical Codes, International Building Codes, and Land Development Code requirements to guide project development and ensure regulatory compliance. Responsibilities include developing project scopes, contract documents, and design exhibits; overseeing multidisciplinary design and construction activities; managing space planning and interior renovation projects; and representing Austin Energy before City leadership, community stakeholders, boards, commissions, and other public agencies. This position requires strong technical, project management, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, as well as the ability to conduct site visits and field assessments at multiple Austin Energy facilities and project locations.

Purpose

Under nominal direction, this position is accountable for interpreting, organizing, executing, and coordinating assignments. This position plans and develops engineering projects concerned with unique or controversial problems which have an important effect on major City programs or projects. This position serves as technical expert in a related area.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

• Develops or oversees development of technical specifications and standards by applying knowledge of the principles and practices of discipline engineering including the methods, materials, equipment, and techniques used. Reviews, analyzes, and interprets plans, specifications, contracts, and other related documents.
• Manages and coordinates programs or projects by reviewing and monitoring projects or programs, including the review of plans and development proposals for impacts related to project or program.
• Plans, research, designs, and implements engineering studies and projects or program areas by applying advanced technical knowledge of engineering discipline.
• Manages and negotiates contracts by reviewing monthly progress reports, verifying final quantities and costs, compiling requisite documentation, reviewing change orders, and auditing as-built records. Acts as a liaison among consultants, contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, fabricators, or suppliers and the City. Negotiates problems of changes, errors, or deficiencies and ensures compliance with project specifications and requirements.
• Interacts with internal and external customers to ensure requirements and needs are satisfied.
• Reviews plans and provides recommendation changes, solutions, or implementation.
• Monitors projects for regulatory compliance by providing consultation and determinations in matters involving application and interpretation of regulations and policies.
• Manages or leads teams of technical personnel including assigning and monitoring tasks. Provides advanced technical training to staff and field personnel by reviewing business needs, evaluating personnel, creating and applying training documentation, and presenting and analyzing training.
• Develops and monitors budget of projects. Assists in developing, managing, and submitting proposed budget forecast planning for short- and long-term City planning.
• Provides a high level of engineering and technical advice and direction. Possesses ability to troubleshoot advanced technical problems. Possesses ability to perform advanced engineering design.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of diversified, fundamental scientific and civil engineering concepts, phenomena, and relationships and utilize such changes in solution of theoretical or practical civil engineering problems.
• Knowledge of advanced mathematical techniques such as trigonometry, calculus, and coordinate geometry.
• Knowledge of modern methods, materials, and techniques of assigned discipline.
• Knowledge of one or more of the following disciplines: Civil, Environmental, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical or Electrical engineering terminology and techniques.
• Knowledge of City of Austin budget planning, purchasing, and contract policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicability of established engineering principles and methods and solutions.
• Knowledge of phases of the plans review and inspections processes.
• Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements within Local and State ordinances and laws.
• Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
• Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
• Ability to perform more complex engineering computations, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry rapidly and accurately.
• Ability to communicate and provide direction to peers and assigned personnel.
• Ability to organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate scientific civil engineering problems and provide practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Ability to observe, compare, or monitor objects and data to determine compliance with prescribed operating or safety standards.
• Ability to use graphic instructions such as blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, or other visual aids.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to engineering, plus eight (8) years of engineering experience acquired before and/or after licensing as a professional engineer.

Licenses and Certifications Required

Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, must have the ability to obtain a Texas P.E. license within six (6) months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced professional experience appropriate to the role’s technical and managerial responsibilities.
• Licensed Engineer specializing in Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical or Plumbing Engineering.
• Ability to design, draw (2D and/or 3D), and sign drawings and specifications for permitting Austin Energy projects.
• LEED AP (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional) w/ specialty and/or WELL AP credential.
• Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) or Certified Associate in Project Management (PMI-CAPM), or ability to obtain one of these or other acceptable designation within six (6) months of employment.
• Strong proficiency in AutoCad, Revit, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Adobe Photoshop, SketchUp, etc.
• Recent experience actively designing, drafting/modeling, and permitting construction drawings and specifications using AutoCad and/or Revit software.
• Excellent organizational skills to manage and monitor multiple assignments simultaneously.
• Current and previous recent experience in horizontal and/or vertical new construction, interior design and renovation projects.
• Current and previous recent experience with building & site planning, schematic design, design development, contract documents (drawings & specifications), construction administration, and post-construction services.

Compensation Range

The annual hiring range for this position is 118,900.00-152,200.00

Notes to Candidate

Salary is commensurate with experience and the approved salary range.

Location: 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin Texas 78723

Schedule: Flexible schedule, mandatory 40% in office, additional time depends on business needs.

Travel

If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Critical

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Assessments

Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing.

Candidates selected for interview(s) may be required to complete an assessment(s) approved by Municipal Civil Service process, Rule 4.

Fair