Engineering Assistant IV

Requisition ID: 42915 

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose & Function

The Structures Engineering Assistant is responsible for supporting other Structures staff as well as leading some of Structures team’s asset management, rehabilitation, and upgrade capital projects and initiatives. This position also helps to manage Structures development reviews, areaway inquiries, City’s clocks (including the Gastown Steam Clock maintenance), project invoicing, railway payments, and other tasks related to the Structures team asset portfolio (such as bridges, tunnels, wharves, seawalls, retaining walls, etc).

This position reports directly to the Senior Structural Engineer in the Streets Design Branch and supports a group of Structural Engineers, Civil Engineers, Project Managers, Engineering Assistants, Planning Assistants, Data Specialists, and clerical staff, responsible for the overall asset management, maintenance, and project delivery associated with the Structures portfolio.

The position works closely with a number of branches in Engineering, such as Street Operations, Development and Major Projects, Transportation, Green Infrastructure Implementation, Project Delivery Branch, and others. This position also works closely with other City Departments, such as Supply Chain Management, Legal, Parks, Real Estate and Facilities, and externally with various consultants, contractors, stakeholders, and clients.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinates and leads pre-construction/construction planning activities as they relate to contracted works for inclusion in tender documents. These include, but are not limited to, the preparation of scope development, construction sequencing, scheduling and staging plans, preparation of order of magnitude cost estimates, completion and coordination of design reviews, identifies and prepares site-specific conditions related to hazards, access provisions, environmental considerations and public information/communication plans. 
• Leads and oversees procurement activities with Supply Chain Management including but not limited to the preparation of shopping carts, scope and special conditions for inclusion in procurement documents, bid committee reports and Council reports as required.
• Liaises with consultants, contractors, engineers, other professionals, stakeholders, and regulatory agency representatives for the purpose of coordinating the preliminary/detailed design/tender and construction phases of work and obtaining approvals or permits where warranted.
• Oversees contract execution when working with vendors (consultants, contractors, suppliers)
• Completes technical design reviews on behalf of the work group and ensuring prepared designs meet City design standards that are sustainable and maintainable for City Operations. This may involve the review and interpretation of internally and externally driven projects (examples include legal agreements such as encroachment, support and bridge proximity agreements, monitoring plans, public art submissions, etc.).
• Prepares and submits prior to conditions on behalf of the work group to support the public art, planning, development (subdivision, rezoning, DE/BU), utility, Viva, special events processes, and reviews submissions for compliance.  This may involve the review of legal agreements such as encroachment, support and bridge proximity agreements, as well as review of asset monitoring plans. 
• Provides quality assurance on contracted works related to asset inventory.
• Responsible for and leads program and project budget numbers, completes invoice verification and payment certification for all contracts, approves/negotiates/settles change orders or claims with both contractors and consultants.
• Works with the project manager to resolve site and project issues, this involves analyzing and identify issues, and working with the engineer or hired consultants/contractors to develop and implement mitigating strategies and plans.
• Manages asset detailed inspection program and develops short-, medium- and long-range asset rehabilitation plans.
• Facilitates discussions and works with City operations staff, consultants and contractors to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of construction projects/methods; finding ways to minimize the impact of construction on businesses and residents.
• Assists with development and management of the Earthquake Response Plan (ERP) and delivery of annual training.
• Participates as a contributing team member for future corporate emergency exercise planning and activations.
• Acts as a Bridge Engineering Coordinator (BEC) or as a member of Bridge Evaluation Team (BET) at the Departmental Operations Center (DOC) or on site.       
• Manages many of the day-to-day operations related to project specific tasks.
• Manages Structures SharePoint site and filing system.
• Acts as a subject matter expert on the use of software such as Hansen, SAP, POSSE, VanMaps and other software.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Minimum Grade 12 supplemented by post secondary courses in either civil engineering or construction management such as a certificate or Diploma in Civil Engineering (CTech., AScT.) with considerable experience in managing and coordinating civil/structural construction projects (including bridges, marine structures, buildings, retaining walls, etc.), or University graduation in Civil Engineering or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Sound knowledge of engineering design principles, methods, guidelines, and engineering mathematics. 
• Considerable experience with and knowledge of corporate and departmental procedures related to contract and construction management.
• Considerable experience with the procurement process (writing, evaluating and awarding RFPs, ITTs,)
• Good knowledge of civil and structural (e.g. road, concrete structures, bridges, retaining walls, bridges) construction methods/materials, as well as bridge inspection techniques.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the general public, stakeholders, contractors, subordinates and other employees.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to influence others while respecting the sensitive and political challenges that impact decisions
• Ability to develop and maintain positive, productive relationships at all levels in the organization and external stakeholders
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion in dealing with confidential and sensitive matters
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and manage projects and programs crossing multiple divisions, multiple business processes and multiple stakeholder groups
• Ability to review, analyze, assess and interpret technical plans, specifications, legal contracts and agreements, and other material related to the work and problem solve with accuracy in a technical environment is required.
• Ability to work with external consultants and contractors.
• Ability to work independently or as a member of a team in a fast-paced environment with multiple and competing deadlines.
• Demonstrates proficiency with Hansen, SAP, POSSE, Excel, MS Office, MS Project, PowerPoint and Bluebeam.
• Ability to prepare clear, well-written reports, records, and procedures.
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects, programs and processes with competing schedules and resources.
• Ability to innovate, lead and implement change in the workplace.
• Working at height (regularly) in confined spaces (occasionally), on water and in proximity to rail (occasionally), at the Emergency Operations Center or the Departmental Operations Center (occasionally) is a requirement of this position
• Working knowledge of emergency response planning practices and emergency response training considered an asset.
• Training in fall protection, confined space, and traffic control an asset.
• Knowledge of municipal governments and regulatory compliance considered an asset.

Local area travel is a requirement of this position.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite.  At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Engineering Services (1300) 

Affiliation: CUPE 15 Non Pks 

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time 

Position Start Date: March, 2025 

Position End Date: March, 2027 

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-025: $43.78 to $51.70 per hour

Application Close: February 7, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.