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If this position interests you, send us your resume and cover letter to Shelie Daniel at sdaniel@kearneymo.us.

REPORTS TO: Public Works Director
FY2025 POSITION PAY GRADE: 67
SALARY RANGE: $86,070.40/year to $130,956.80/year

POSITION SUMMARY:  The City Engineer is responsible for oversight, planning, coordinating, leadership, and control of a comprehensive public works department including engineering and project management for water, stormwater and wastewater utilities, street, public facilities, design reviews, and new projects. This position is a key leadership role within the city and supports the well-being and quality of life for Kearney residents by managing essential public services and maintaining the city’s infrastructure.

OBJECTIVES:

• Oversee and manage public works projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are executed within budget, on schedule, and meet quality standards.
• Develops, recommends, and implements annual departmental budget, forecasts necessary funding for staff, equipment, material, and supplies. Monitors budget throughout the year with assistance from Public Works Director and public works supervisors. Identifies and develops future capital improvement projects.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing public works projects, environmental standards, and safety protocols.
• Oversee and assist with ensuring compliance with permits for the water plant and sanitary sewer plant and is responsible for the City’s compliance with its MS4 permit from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
• Explore and apply for grant opportunities to leverage available resources.
• Plan, direct, coordinate, and review the work of assigned staff; assigns tasks and coordinates schedules, projects, and programs; provides constructive feedback; reviews and evaluates work and makes effective suggestions and recommendations.
• Motivate and develop employees, such as providing guidance, training, coaching and mentorship to ensure efficient departmental operations.
• Engage with the community to understand their needs, address concerns, and communicate information about public works projects.
• Serves as a resource to communicate engineering standards and requirements for project planning meetings, pre-construction meetings, or other communications for engineers, consultants, developers, residents, and employees.
• Plans, develops, bids and manages the implementation of design and construction contracts and projects. Prepare compliant bid documents, contracts and required notices.
• Directs and oversees the department’s capital project design review and private development site plan review.
• Oversees services provided by external Professional Services engineering vendors contracted by the City.
• Develop and maintain effective asset management plan to optimize the lifespan and performance of public infrastructure assets.
• Plan and coordinate the maintenance and improvement of the city’s water, wastewater, stormwater, and street infrastructure.
• Promote transparency, accountability, compliance, efficiency, and trust within the city and the community through effective communication and excellent and responsive customer service.

COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques in the design, construction and maintenance of municipal facilities and projects.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting, fiscal management, project management principles and techniques.
• Ability to effectively utilize the principles of strategic and long and short-range planning
• Strategic planning and vision for long term public works projects and infrastructure development.
• Ability to read and understand construction plans, specifications, and blueprints accurately.
• Advanced project management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong leadership, coaching, training, and mentoring skills.
• Ability to apply sound judgement and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems, and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, always maintaining professionalism.
• Knowledge of management and supervisory practices and principles, including the ability to make employment recommendations, prepare performance evaluations, manage time off, and maintain personnel records.
• Ability to organize, assign, and modify the work assignments, and (re)-establish priorities to meet deadlines.
• Ability to develop and manage budgets.
• Knowledge of and the ability to interpret relevant laws, regulations, city policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city employees, stakeholders, vendors, and the public.
• Negotiation skills for contracts and agreements with vendors and contractors.
• Typing skills.
• Ability to understand and follow directions and to work without direct supervision.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Listening to understand.
• Proficiency with computer software programs, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software.
• Embrace innovation and continuous improvement.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:   

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, a minimum of four (4) years of professional work experience in one or more public works specialty areas (water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation/streets), and successful completion of the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) test is required.

Professional Engineer (PE) Designation is required within eighteen months of hire.

Preference will be given to candidates that have a Professional Engineer license, professional work experience in project management of public works/utilities or transportation engineering, and staff supervisory, budgetary, and management responsibility, preferably in a public sector environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Work is usually performed inside, in a standard office environment; occasionally is required to lift or carry items weighing up to 50 pounds; and occasionally is exposed to dangerous machinery, exposure to inclement weather conditions, potential physical harm, noise, vibrations, hazardous chemicals, and infectious diseases when doing field work or conducting inspections.

ABOUT US:   
The City of Kearney serves to create a thriving, sustainable and desirable community.  

Our core values are integrity, compassion, service, and teamwork.  We are honest and transparent in our communications and operations. We treat all people with respect and dignity. We express ourselves in a genuine and honest way. We apply the laws and rules that govern us to every decision we make and every action we take.   We are kind, friendly and considerate towards the community and our colleagues, regardless of their status or disagreement with us. We listen well and seek to understand before responding.  We nurture and embrace differing perspectives to make better decisions. We care about our community and are sensitive to its needs.  We work towards mutually beneficial solutions to get to yes for positive outcomes.  We believe learning never stops and are committed to continuous improvement.  We admit mistakes freely and openly so that we can learn and become better. We are passionate about helping others and making Kearney a better place to live, work and visit.  We recognize and appreciate that our differences make us stronger and smarter, allowing us to do amazing things for Kearney.  We question actions inconsistent with our values and provide candid, helpful, and timely feedback to our colleagues. We take responsibility for our actions and decisions and follow through on our commitments and promises.  We value creativity, a positive attitude and enjoying ourselves at work.

The City of Kearney offers competitive pay and a great benefit package, including health insurance, 13 paid holidays, paid vacation and sick time and the L-7 Missouri LAGERS retirement pension for all full-time employees.  We also offer a wellness plan, tuition reimbursement, annual service awards and an Employee Assistance Program.

The City of Kearney is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce.