Principal Office Engineer

The Bellevue Transportation Department is APWA Accredited with a professional staff that aspires to our vision of “keeping Bellevue moving forward.”  With services in planning, operations, review, design, construction, and maintenance, we work with our regional partners to provide a safe multi-modal transportation system for those who live, work, and play in Bellevue.  

The position of Principal Office Engineer is critical in our ability to deliver projects that support the upgrade and expansion of our multi-modal transportation system. This individual is responsible for the oversight of two key elements of project delivery: review and approval of specification and contract provisions; and application of the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG). If you are a detailed oriented professional engineer with a passion for creating a transportation system that is accessible to all users, then this is the job for you.

The Principal Office Engineer reports directly to the Assistant Director for Capital Program Services but is a resource to the entire department. This individual has the unique opportunity to influence the accessibility design of all projects built in Bellevue and help foster collaboration across the city in the consistent application of accessible design practices and standards.

• Serve as primary reviewer for contract provisions, Division 1 special provisions and federal construction requirements (when appropriate) for all Transportation contracts advertised by the City.
• Coordinate with WSDOT Local Programs on the preparation of Division 1 for federally funded projects.
• Coordinate with the City’s procurement services on updates and changes to construction contracting, including the new Apprentice Program.
• Ensure Bellevue Special Provisions and contract provisions are kept current with changes made to WSDOT Standard Specifications and contracting functions impacted by changes to the Revised Code of Washington and federal regulations.
• Lead the annual update to Bellevue’s standard drawings. Work with staff to identify changes and additions and coordinate a department-wide review before updates are published each year.
• Co-chair the ADA Program Team, whose mission is to help educate the department designers and reviewers in best practices in applying the PROWAG to their projects.
• Review and accept exceptions, deviations and maximum extent feasible (MEF) documentation for internal records.
• Serve on the city-wide ADA Core Team, tracking and updating the ADA Self-evaluation and Transition Plan and associated departmental workplan and coordinating between the city’s ADA Administrator and departmental leadership.
• Serve as a resource to city design staff and consultants who are attempting to address complex accessibility design issues.
• Serve as a core team member of the departmental Emergency Management and Preparedness team.

Knowledge of:

• Civil engineering principles, practices, and methods as applied to the field of Transportation.
• Standards and industry guidance associated with civil engineering design, with advanced skills related to accessible facilities for people walking and rolling.
• Applicable city, state and federal policies, laws, and regulations affecting Transportation.
• Construction contracting code, standards and best practices.
• Leadership, management and supervisory practices.
• Quality improvement methodologies.

Skill in:

• Conflict resolution and negotiating.
• Identifying emerging issues and developing and implementing new approaches.
• Representing politically sensitive or otherwise high-profile Transportation issues to Council and City Executives.
• Presenting technical, difficult to understand, and/or controversial information in an understandable way.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Negotiate effectively with employees, other business units and departments, outside agencies, and the general public.
• Plan, organize, and monitor activities according to priorities, established schedules, and deadlines.
• Prioritize work; communicate and monitor work priorities.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in civil engineering or other closely related technical field.   
• Seven years of progressively responsible experience producing contract specifications and applying the PROWAG to the design of pedestrian facilities in the right-of-way.  
• Washington State Professional Engineering License required.  If already licensed in a different state, ability to obtain license in Washington within one year of hire.

Flexible/Hybrid Working:
A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire.  Remote work for this position is subject to department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.    
 
Physical Demands:
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves walking, talking, hearing, using a computer, using hands to handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reaching with hands and arms.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required to push, pull, lift, and/or carry up to 20 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office and moderately loud when in the field.

This is a full-time, exempt, at-will, non-union position.