From:Nicole
To:City Council
Subject:June 6, 2023 Public Comment for Agenda Item #12.A Date:Monday, June 5, 2023 4:22:57 PM
Attachments:Engineering Technician Dec 2009.pdf
External Email
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
My name is Nicole Bryant and I am the Field Representative for SEIU Local 620 who represents your employees at the City of Pismo Beach. I write to you today in regards to the Adoption of the Biennial Budgets for Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025. Although SEIU and the City have successfully undergone the meet and confer process for the proposed position changes represented in the budget, I wanted to draw your attention to the Engineering Manager classification. On page 2 of the Agenda Report for Item #12.A, under Proposed Budget Summary, the report states, “The baseline budget is a continuation of all current services and contracts without any changes to staffing levels…” I would like to highlight here that the Engineer Manager classification is proposed to be filled at the forfeiture of the Engineering Technician classification.
While SEIU agrees with the City that there is a need for additional licensed Engineers within the City with the numerous capital projects being undertaken, we believe that there will still be a need for the Engineering Technician classification to be funded and filled as well. The Engineering Technician performs a variety of paraprofessional engineering work in support of the professional engineering staff. I have attached the current job description for your review. This classification follows up on the information requests for maps, permits, and soils reports throughout the City.
They maintain the Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, as well as creating needed maps.
The need to maintain the engineering database will still be ongoing, along with a number of other duties in support of the City.
The increase in capital improvement projects does demand higher licensed experience but it also takes support from a well rounded team that we believe Pismo would only benefit from having.
An increase in experience and pay for the same number of employees does not increase their ability in what they can accomplish in a single day’s worth of work. Please consider funding and filling the Engineering Technician classification as well.
Sincerely,
Nicole Bryant
Field Representative/ Internal Organizer
(805) 963-0601 x116
SEIU Local 620
114 Vine Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454
[email protected]
FLSA: NON-EXEMPT
ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
DEFINITION
Under general supervision, performs a variety of specialized paraprofessional engineering work and office duties in support of professional engineering staff and inspectors for the planning, design, and construction of public works and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects and private developments; performs drafting and makes mathematical calculations related to projects; provides information and assistance to contractors, developers, engineers, and the general public regarding the City’s engineering services and activities; maintains plan files and engineering records; reviews plans for code compliance; conducts field surveys, maintains engineering database, generates reports, and creates maps; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from the Director of Public Works/City Engineer. Exercises no direct supervision of staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is a full journey-level class that performs the full range of paraprofessional engineering duties in support of professional engineering staff including independent responsibilities for projects and support programs. Incumbents apply paraprofessional engineering knowledge and skills to complete assignments in engineering, mapping, surveying, inspections of construction projects, and preparation of specifications, plans, and estimates. The work requires public contact, the frequent use of tact and judgment, and good knowledge of departmental operations and applicable policies , regulations, and codes. This class is distinguished from the professional engineering class series in that the latter is a professional level requiring possession of a four-year degree and professional licensure.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only) Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
➢ Provides information and assistance to contractors, developers, engineers and the general public on engineering services and activities; responds to general inquiries; ensure issues are resolved in a timely and efficient manner.
➢ Receives and responds to information requests for base maps, parcel maps and improvement plan information, encroachment permits, benchmarks, and other geographical data, soils reports, as-builts, and street improvements; retrieves plans, reports, permits, and files as necessary to comply with requests; issues encroachment permits and processes fees; responds to complaints from the public and resolves conflicts between owners, contractors, developers, utility companies, and others. ➢ Receives, tags and logs, and reviews submitted engineering plans, maps, and related documents for plan check; routes documents to consultants or developers for preceding and following plan review;
Engineering Technician
tracks status of plan checks and original documents; advises parties of revisions; reviews a variety of engineering plans including grading, drainage, erosion control, and public improvement plans to assure compliance with City codes, ordinances, standards and specifications. ➢ Prepares or assists in the preparation of and/or interprets designs, plans, estimates, layouts, profiles, cross-sections, detail drawings, specifications, and reports pertaining to the construction, maintenance, and operation of a variety of engineering, land development, utility, and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects, including conducting a variety of surveys for the creation of sidewalks, utility lines, and topography maps; participates in securing adequate funding from Federal and State grant programs and other funding sources.
➢ Reviews easement documents and agreements.
➢ Performs construction inspection duties on assigned projects; monitors and reviews work performed by contractors; ensures work performed complies with project plans, specifications, standards and contracts; refers field and/or plan issues to higher level engineering staff as required. ➢ Evaluates development review proposals such as single-family residences and minor subdivisions to ensure compliance with codes and policies.
➢ Maintains engineering files, including plans, studies, inspections, surveys, maps, and other data related to engineering projects; prepares, updates, reproduces, and distributes maps, drawings, blueprints, and other information recorded in the Geographic Information System (GIS). ➢ Utilizes AutoCAD and GIS software to create and modify plot plans, topographic maps, improvement plans, and illustrative graphics, such as charts, illustrations, and graphs for reports, drawings for design manuals, and other projects.
➢ Performs basic design and drafting duties in connection with streets, storm drains, utilities, and other projects.
➢ Performs field, office, and computer-aided studies and prepares periodic and special reports based on findings from research, studies, and surveys; and makes recommendations on findings. ➢ Maintains and updates department records, tracking lists, permit records, and files of engineering plans, including grading, encroachments, improvements, storm drain, landscaping, final maps, water, sewer, and streets.
➢ Prepares basic routine staff reports for the City Council. ➢ Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the paraprofessional engineering field.
➢ Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
➢ Civil engineering principles, practices, and methods applicable to office and field work involving the design, construction, and maintenance of public works projects. ➢ Basic design and construction practices and methods of streets, grading, drainage, underground facilities, and related public works infrastructure.
➢ Engineering plan types, review practices, and permit filing and approval procedures. ➢ Principles and practices of technical civil engineering drafting and surveying support. ➢ Drafting and surveying equipment, computers, principles, techniques, and practices. ➢ Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including administrative and department policies and procedures.
➢ Technical engineering mathematics.
➢ Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications, including GIS and AutoCAD software applications, word processing, spreadsheet, and other office computer software. ➢ Technical report writing practices and procedures.
➢ Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Engineering Technician
➢ English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation. ➢ Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, engineer, architects, and City staff.
Ability to:
➢ Prepare a variety of plans, specifications, maps, graphic materials, cost estimates, and technical engineering reports.
➢ Modify engineering drawings, topographic maps, improvement plans, and illustrative graphics using GIS software.
➢ Perform responsible technical engineering support work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
➢ Read and interpret engineering plans, technical drawings, specifications, and subdivision maps. ➢ Perform standard engineering design under professional engineering supervision. ➢ Make mathematical calculations and accurate engineering computations and drawings. ➢ Make and record accurate field engineering observations. ➢ Use engineering, drafting, and surveying instruments and equipment. ➢ Understand basic civil engineering concepts, practices, and methods, laws, codes, and regulations related to the assigned function.
➢ Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials. ➢ Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
➢ Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines. ➢ Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
➢ Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing. ➢ Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
➢ Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to the completion of twelfth grade supplemented by college-level coursework in civil engineering or a related field, and two (2) years of increasingly responsible paraprofessional experience in civil or mechanical engineering or architecture that included customer service and computer aided drafting.
Licenses and Certifications:
➢ Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is partially a sedentary office and partially a field classification involving field inspection work requiring frequent walking at inspection sites to monitor performance and to identify problems or hazards; standing in and walking between work
Engineering Technician
areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions; but may occasionally work in the field and be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
Prepared by: Koff & Associates, Inc.
Council Approved: December 2009