Gas Utility Project Engineer

The City of Palo Alto Utilities is the only city in California that offers a full array of utility services to its citizens and businesses. Because of this, the City has a unique opportunity to partner with the Palo Alto community to enjoy the benefits and achievements of reliable, homegrown, and environmentally focused utilities. Palo Alto has a tradition of over 100 years of successful public utility operations. It is a tradition that continues to provide the Palo Alto community with safe and reliable utility service, local decision-making over policies, utility rate-making, environmental programs, and customized services.

Career Opportunity

The Project Engineer will report to the Principal Engineer of the Gas group with the Water-Gas-Wastewater Engineering and Operations Division. The position will manage public contracts, oversee Capital Improvement Projects of natural gas distribution facilities, assist in natural gas safety inspections from state and federal regulators, contribute to the WGW Utility Standards, support Engineering and Operations staff, create engineering designs for natural gas distribution system improvements using various programs including AutoCAD, GIS and Synergi Gas, researching as-built information and record data, and collecting GPS survey data of existing facilities. The Project Engineer should have a strong technical background in natural gas distribution or transmission engineering principles.

Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will have a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited school and 10 years of experience in natural gas distribution or transmission. They should also have experience understanding and interpreting the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 Part 190, 191, 192, and 199. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have knowledge of natural gas distribution or transmission operations and maintenance procedures. Fundamental drafting skills, knowledge of established drafting tools and techniques in an AutoCAD environment, strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and excellent oral and written communication skills are imperative.

Special Requirements: Licensed Professional Engineer -- Mechanical Engineer

Benefits: Fantastic benefits package, to learn more click HERE.
 
Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click HERE.

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union position (SEIU)  

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applications will be reviewed promptly upon receipt and screenings and interviews will begin as soon as posting requirements are met and a sufficient applicant pool is found. Posting may be closed before posted date.Positions allocated to this level in the Utilities Gas Engineering Section may additionally perform the following duties: 

• Provides gas distribution technical guidance to Engineers, Engineering Associates, and Engineering Assistants, as well as other departments and outside consultants on major projects.
• Conducts gas safety inspections with federal and state regulators and is a technical resource on gas distribution regulatory requirements.
• Has a thorough understanding of gas distribution design, operations, maintenance, procedures, and plans required in CFR Title 49 Part 192.
• Implements gas distribution CIP projects and other safety improvements by working with contractors, consultants, other City departments, and Federal and State agencies.
• Performs field checks on in-progress and completed in-house and contract construction work to assure results.
• Conducts field inspections on CIP projects to ensure Utility Standards and project plans are adhered to by contractors.
• Develops utilities materials standards, equipment specifications, and operating procedures.
• Uses hydraulic models as a tool for gas distribution system planning and recommends system improvements
• Assures that the efforts and activities of private consultants are utilized efficiently and effectively.
• Handles complaints and/or inquiries about projects in a professional manner
• Writes, reviews, and edits Staff Reports to City Council and engineering reports.
• Other duties as assigned.

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:

• Bachelor of Science degree in civil, mechanical, or other approved engineering curriculum depending upon assigned area, 4 years of experience and
• Equivalent to four years increasingly responsible engineering experience. (Note: PE   Certificate or Master’s Degree in Engineering may be considered in lieu of one year’s experience.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applications will be reviewed promptly upon receipt and screenings and interviews will begin as soon as posting requirements are met and a sufficient applicant pool is found. Posting may be closed before posted date.

Salary : $151,736 - $186,285