3B78
PROJECT DESIGN ENGINEER

This is project management work in an area of engineering specialization. The employee is responsible for developing designs, determining the necessity for contracted design services, developing cost estimates, and identifying funding sources for capital improvement programs. Work includes preparing project designs, plans and specifications, contract documents, cost estimates, and operating budgets. Work also includes reviewing and approving such documents prepared by outside consultants and in-house staff for adherence to engineering standards and governmental regulations. An employee in this class is responsible for advancing capital project activities through the development phase to point of implementation, directing consultant design activities, securing and processing funding reimbursement agreements and supplements from governmental agencies, and monitoring the construction phase related to design issues. Preparing, updating and monitoring the capital program fiscal year schedule of new construction, rehabilitation and replacement projects in an assigned engineering program are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the general direction of an engineering administrator, Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner.

• This position must be responsible for identifying, scheduling, prioritizing and administering capital improvement projects in the assigned specialty.
• This position must review and approve design schedules and coordinate design and construction activities.

ALL SPECIALTIES

• Identifies, schedules, prioritizes and administers initial replacement, rehabilitation and reconstruction capital improvement projects in an assigned engineering program; prepares, maintains and updates the capital program fiscal year project schedule; performs periodic updating of the schedule to reflect changes in scope, priority and community impact; coordinates, recommends and monitors federal and state programs to determine the department's mandated capital improvement targets.
• Determines the need for consultant design services in the development of project plans and specifications; writes request for proposals for consultant services in accordance with public procurement policies and coordinates the selection process; reviews consultant proposals for completeness and adequacy; serves on the consultant reviews committee which short lists qualified consultants and makes selection recommendations the consultant selection board; prepares consultant contract agreements for execution; follows contracts through the municipal contracting process; negotiates consultant fees; performs in-house design and reviews and approves in-house and consultant designs; reviews and approves plans, specifications and contract documents for adherence to departmental engineering standards and practices and for compliance with federal, state and local regulations; approves revisions to plans and specifications prepared by consultants; may redesign plans; meets with consultants, architects and other in-house design engineers to resolve design problems.
• Prepares environmental impact statements, section 4F submissions, and obtains historical clearances in accordance with federal, state and local regulations; reviews preliminary cost estimates for materials, supplies and labor; prepares budget estimates and justifications for projects.
• Reviews and approves design schedules and coordinates design and construction activities with departmental personnel, public groups, transit agencies and railroads, utilities, other departments, and federal, state and local agencies to assure work progresses according to schedule, the established design, contract agreements, and plans and specifications; makes and approves design changes during construction due to unforeseen problems; monitors the implementation of changes.
• May prepare original designs and specifications for the more complex structures and facilities; makes field inspections to gather data; makes complex engineering calculations and prepares comprehensive detailed plans and specifications.
• Develops and makes presentations to legislators, regulatory boards, and commissions; serves as an expert witness before the courts, utilities and commissions; determines the need for and approves supplemental agreements when additional funds are required for proper project completion; participates in final inspection at the construction site.
• Prepares claims for reimbursement of departmental funds by state and federal agencies; reviews inspection reports, invoices and consultant billing; determines items eligible for reimbursement; maintains records of funds expended on projects.
• Prepares applications, agreements and documents for federal and state grant-in-aid programs; ascertains that documents are properly prepared to meet federal and state requirements for certification; assures that invoices for consultant fees are processed and that funds are received.
• May direct the engineering activities of a small number of engineers, clerical, and technical support personnel on a project basis in carrying out project design and development; prepares the capital budget for an assigned engineering program.
• Performs related work as required.

MECHANICAL/HIGH RISE SPECIALTY ONLY

• May direct the design activities of high-rise edifices through lower level engineering and technical support staff on a project basis; ensures that proper systems are incorporated into the design according to building and proposal requirements; reviews and evaluates tenant needs; ensures all building systems designs meet building codes of the jurisdiction; incorporates vertical transportation needs into the design of structure; researches and evaluates the most suitable automated systems for the structure being designed, including air distribution systems, steam and hydraulic systems, electrical systems and refrigerant piping.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

ALL SPECIALTIES

• the principles, practices and theory of civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering design as applied to the design and implementation of capital improvement construction, replacement and rehabilitation projects
• modern engineering methods, techniques, and administrative practices as applied to project design, development of plans and specifications, cost estimates and budget preparation
• governmental and other outside funding sources for reimbursement and supplementation of capital program expenditures
• engineering mathematics as applied to project design, and plans and specification development for capital improvement construction projects
• building design and the proper incorporation of component systems
• the sources of engineering information and current developments in the field of engineering
• state, local, and federal codes, laws, and regulations, including environmental impact requirements as they relate to new construction, rehabilitation and/or modification of structures and installations
• engineering economics and the methods of financing municipal projects
• municipal procurement and contracting practices and procedures

MECHANICAL/HIGH RISE SPECIALTY ONLY

• power plant operations and all mechanical equipment associated with high-rise buildings which house 200 or more people, such as: large centrifugal chillers over 300 tons, large cross and counter flow cooling towers, and large boilers and high pressure steam or hot water systems
• elevators, conveyors, and vertical transportation systems for buildings with a minimum of twelve floors
• emergency generators and building electrical systems
• building automation systems such as climate control, fire suppression, and air distribution
• HVAC systems
• pneumatic direct digital control systems and automatic systems
• plumbing and hydraulic systems
ABILITY TO:

ALL SPECIALTIES

• prepare and/or review and approve engineering designs, plans, specifications, contract documents and cost estimates for capital improvement projects based upon acceptable engineering and departmental standards and governmental regulations
• compile, manage, and monitor a schedule of capital improvement engineering projects and advance them to the beginning of the construction phase
• identify governmental funding sources and secure reimbursement and supplemental funds for project expenditures
• determine the need for design consultant services, review their proposals, and direct their design activities
• identify candidates for capital improvement projects and prioritized program of such projects for implementation within specified budgetary constraints
• prepare and present testimony as expert witness for the City
• verbally articulate design concepts to other engineers, the public and legislators
• resolve engineering design problems
• interpret and apply local, state and federal regulatory codes applicable to assigned capital projects
• prepare clear, concise and technically sound engineering reports
• direct the engineering project activities of lower level engineers and technical support staff engaged in assignments in narrow engineering disciplines
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, other departments, governmental agencies, utilities, and the public

MECHANICAL/HIGH RISE SPECIALTY ONLY

• incorporate building systems and power plant operations into design of high-rise edifices
• ensure elevators, conveyors, and other building transportation systems meet the needs of the tenants and suit the design of the structure
• assimilate the emergency systems within the building design to ensure proper initiation and functioning

EDUCATION
• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in the area of specialization.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE
• Three years of engineering experience in the area of specialization.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE

CIVIL, MECHANICAL/GENERAL, AND ELECTRICAL SPECIALTIES

• Two years of project management experience at the full-performance level in the area of specialization.

MECHANICAL/HIGH RISE SPECIALTY ONLY

• Two years of project management experience at the full-performance level in area of specialization, which has included work on multi story buildings that house more than 200 people.

Any equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience, which has included completion of a bachelor's degree program in an acceptable area of engineering as an educational minimum and the specific experience described above.

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

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