5212-Engineer/Architect Principal

Job description

SAN FRANCISCO CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

JOB CODE TITLE: ENGINEER/ARCHITECT PRINCIPAL JOB CODE: 5212

Business Unit: COMMN

Definition: Under general administrative direction, manages, plans, assigns and directs the activities of several units or a group of professional and sub-professional engineering/architectural personnel engaged in a wide variety of design and/or construction projects; directs and coordinates the construction and inspection activities on construction projects of considerable size and complexity; and performs highly responsible and complex engineering/architectural administrative work.

Distinguishing Features: Positions in this class are distinguished from the senior level engineer, architect, and/or landscape architect classes by its administrative and management responsibility for the activities of a major division or a group of units within a major operation. Positions have authority to approve and implement policies and methods, subject only to executive review and evaluation. Some positions may be designated for specific specialties.

Supervision Exercised: Supervises professional and sub-professional engineers, architects, technicians, inspectors, surveyors and other related personnel by assigning, monitoring, and evaluating work assignments. This principal level class may manage or oversee the personnel of an entire division or department that includes engineering, architect and/or landscape architect sections.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties:

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this class(es) and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Plans, directs and coordinates the design activities of a number of major sections engaged in complex engineering and/or architectural projects; reviews and approves plans, specifications, contract documents and related data for such projects; and advises subordinate personnel on policy and procedural matters relating to major work programs.

2. Establishes, prepares, manages, reviews and monitors organizational budget(s) to ensure that there is sufficient resources to complete programs and projects and takes corrective actions when necessary.

3. Establishes and evaluates organizational goals and objectives, assigns priorities, ensures the use of effective work plans and methods to achieve goals, ensures objectives are met within schedule, monitors progress, ensures the use of effective work plans and methods to achieve goals, evaluates the performance of the organization, and initiates changes in structure, policies, and procedures when needed to increase efficiency, quality, and customer service.

4. Plans, coordinates and directs the activities of professional engineering and/or architectural personnel with those of contractors, subcontractors, state and local agencies, and inspection and construction personnel with a view toward assuring that projects are completed in conformance with approved plans and specifications.

5. Supervises subordinate personnel, completes performance appraisals, and participates in the disciplinary process when necessary. Plans and evaluates staff performance, ensures effective use of personnel and resources, develops action plans to improve employee productivity and resolves morale problems.

6. Establishes design and construction standards applicable to the projects to serve as a guide for designers and builders; develops and directs the maintenance of time schedules for completion of design and construction phases of building projects; and develops standards and systems for estimates of construction costs in order to insure that projects remain within budgeted allotments.

7. Reviews and approves correspondence, reports, estimates and other material related to work programs, and determines if referral for final approval of superior is required; reviews and analyzes bids, and recommends award of contracts; certifies records of construction progress and work completion; and directs and coordinates the preparation of important construction records and reports.

8. Writes policies, procedures, correspondence, and evaluations and reviews and approves correspondence, technical reports, and budgetary documents for accuracy and conformance to the policies of the organization.

9. Conducts important negotiations with representatives of governmental, architectural and engineering agencies and with representatives of private architectural, engineering, and construction organizations.

10. Coordinates, interprets and enforces policies, techniques, methods and legal provisions relating to engineering and/or architectural related construction activities.

11. Confers and coordinates with operating division managers, other departments and state and local agencies on engineering and/or architectural projects and on operational problems; provides advice and consultation; and directs and is responsible for the execution of necessary actions.

12. Makes presentations to boards, organizations, and the public on engineering and/or architectural programs and projects, justifies budget requests, and responds to inquiries; and represents the City at conferences and other meetings to share information with and to learn from other organizations.

13. May drive a vehicle to meetings, conferences and work sites.

14. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Job-Related and Essential Qualifications:

Knowledge of: Principles and practices of engineering and/or architecture, including Federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, codes, standards, rules, and regulations applicable to the planning and design, construction, operation and maintenance work of individual units; management and administrative techniques; and planning, budgeting and scheduling for a division or department.

Ability to: Plan, coordinate and direct the work of professional, technical, engineering and architectural personnel engaged in the completion of a complex group of related construction projects; coordinate construction activities; direct the preparation of design plans, specifications and their interpretation and use in construction; meet and consult with professional personnel and officials on complex administrative matters; effectively communicate orally at public hearings and in writing reports and technical recommendations to boards and commissions; represent the department in meetings with management and executive members; and direct the maintenance of important and complex construction records and reports.

Skill in: The application of modern engineering and architectural methods and techniques to practical problems in the specialty area.

Experience and Training Guidelines:

Engineer Specialty:

Nine (9) years verifiable professional engineering (e.g. civil, mechanical, electrical, sanitary/chemical/environmental or transportation/traffic) work experience, of which six (6) years of that experience must be as a licensed professional engineer. Two (2) of the nine (9) years must be equivalent to the City and County of San Francisco class 5211 Senior Engineer; AND

Possession of a valid California License as a Registered Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical or Traffic Engineer.

Architect Specialty:

Nine (9) years of verifiable professional architectural experience, of which six (6) years of that experience must be as a licensed professional architect. Two (2) of the nine (9) years must be equivalent to the City and County of San Francisco class 5270 Senior Architect; AND

Possession of a valid California License as a Registered Architect.

Notes:

Engineer Specialty:

1. Some positions in this classification may require additional special engineering licensing and/or work experience in areas such as Construction Management, Structural Design, Corrosion, Fire Protection, Geo-technical Engineering, Environmental, Instrumentation and Control Systems, Cost Estimating, Scheduling and Project Controls.

2. Some positions may require possession of a certificate issued by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO), International Code Council (ICC) or an equivalent certifying body.

Effective Date: May 10th, 2007

Reason for Creation of New Class: To consolidate the classes 5212 Principal Engineer and 5273 Principal Architect job codes per the agreement between the City and County of San Francisco and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 21 dated January 26, 2004.

Standard information

Disaster service work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Historic and future compensation