Principal Engineer (Project Coordinator)

Job Announcement

This job opportunity is being re-announced. If you applied previously, you do not need to re-apply to be considered.

This position manages a large scale of highly complex, and/or high-profile building design projects, projects primarily impact occupied critical structures and associated sub-systems, project identification and development, due diligence, shared infrastructure, financial oversight, design, construction, and handover to operations.

Develops and manages budgets and budget documents for projects as required. May prepare, sign and seal design work, technical studies, etc. as required. Provides management and supervisory oversight as well as lead and develop assigned branch consisting of multiple teams of high-performing licensed mechanical, electrical, structural, etc., engineers (P.E s). Ensures effective management and delivery of on-budget, on time completion of branch s assigned projects which meet using agency requirements and/or overall county goals and strategic plan.

Duties include:

• Directs, coordinates, and manages branch project logistics with multiple agencies, community stakeholders, and project-based matrix organizational teams and resources from a variety of internal and external sources including technical, legal, financial, and other specialty fields.
• Leads a diverse team of project stakeholders in the successful management of assigned projects using team-based approach and supports project efforts by working closely with other departments/agencies, and organizations to determine more effective processes and tools.
• Maintains positive relationships with regulatory and process development agencies.
• Coordinates project designs, schedules and outcomes with regulatory agencies, senior leadership, state and federal organizations, and all other stakeholders and special interest groups.
• Appraises and profiles the associated project risks and phasing to maintain continuity of business, mitigating operational impacts and preventing closure of services/building. Identifies, communicates, and manages all issues and risks, and develops implements solutions to correct applicable revisions.
• Communicates project status to internal and external project team members, stakeholders, and others timely and accurately.
• Responds to information requests from elected and appointed officials. Is FMD technical expert for coordination, response, resolution, and design of complex engineering solutions for existing, occupied, critical commercial structures.
• Prepares and makes presentations to boards and commissions, as required.

This position description is not intended to be all inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing business needs of the organization. This position is designated as Emergency Service Personnel, the employee in this position must fulfill emergency services duties.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

Actively participates in the planning, supervision, and coordination of major and/or sensitive construction or land acquisition projects; Provides expert technical leadership in the development of land rights and legal agreements between the agency and other governmental agencies or private land owners;
Provides supervision, guidance, and training to subordinate technical staff;
Confers with County attorneys, County and State agencies, architects, engineers, staff members, and contractors regarding the progress of construction and/or acquisition projects, code compliance, and securing of permits;
Negotiates and resolves major and/or sensitive purchases of real property;
Manages and resolves legal issues associated with land acquisition and land management contracts, lease and license agreements, interim use agreements, encroachments and other legal matters and testifies in court;
Makes recommendations for condemnation proceedings, property use and disposal of surplus properties;
Reviews construction plans and specifications, shop drawings, insurance claims, payment requisitions, and inspection reports;
Processes easements for utilities;
Reviews cost estimates, cost studies, approves and administers contracts;  
Oversees inspection procedures and assignments;
Ensures conformance to state, county and agency procurement regulations and policies;
Ensures compliance with federal and state requirements on grant funded projects;
Compiles facts and prepares reports and correspondence including Board items and presentations;
Attends public hearings;
Assists in the preparation of the agency budget.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: 
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”)

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Engineering, or a related field, and six years of progressively responsible experience in or affiliated with land planning and/or redevelopment, engineering or architecture, or management of large and complex construction or maintenance projects.

LICENSE/CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED: 

• Driver's license
• Professional Engineering (PE) license in the Commonwealth of Virginia or PE license in another state with ability to obtain reciprocity within 6 months in Commonwealth of Virginia

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.
• This position is emergency/essential services personnel. (Required to report for duty during inclement weather and/or other emergencies.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
 

• Professional Mechanical, Electrical, or Structural Engineer License in Commonwealth of Virginia.
• 10+ years’ experience in the engineering and design industry, with at least 3 years in a leadership role as Firm’s senior engineer or principle in leading commercial building MEP+ design and strategy for public facilities.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive presentations on complex topics to employees, clients, top management and/or public groups.
• Excellent communication skills both written and spoken.
• Proven track record of 3+ years in leading, managing, developing, collaborating with, and supervising a business unit of cross functional teams of mechanical, electrical, and structural engineers in the execution of critical building subsystems studies, assessments, designs, and construction administration.
• 3+ years proven experience and track record in leading conversations and directing the execution and prioritization of projects with executive level staff.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited University in Engineering.
• 3+ years’ experience directly supervising and accountable for a team of 4+ professional engineers in the execution of design, permit and construction administration of commercial building subsystems and subsystems replacement.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to hear normal building equipment and construction alarms and verbal warnings on active construction sites and occupied buildings. Ability to produce handwritten and electronic typed documents. Able to safely climb construction ladders up to 15 feet or more per floor with the potential of multiple floors and able to go up and down stairs for multi-story buildings of at least 12 stories. Dexterity to use hand tools. Must be able to physically negotiate rough terrain and typical construction sites to perform field inspections at project construction sites or potential sites for future initiatives. Ability to, access tight spaces, crawl, reach, lift up to 25lbs, push 25lbs, etc. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and depth perception. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE: 
Panel interview and may include exercise.
 
 

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov  EEO/AA/TTY.