City Engineer

Job Description

The City Engineer serves as the City of Oswego’s chief technical authority for municipal engineering, infrastructure planning, and public works design. This position is responsible for directing, coordinating, and overseeing the engineering functions of the City, including capital project development, design review, construction oversight, and technical consultation to City leadership. The City Engineer ensures that all engineering work performed for or on behalf of the City meets applicable professional standards, regulatory requirements, and municipal objectives.

The role requires advanced professional engineering judgment, leadership of technical staff, and the ability to manage complex, multi‐disciplinary public works initiatives. The City Engineer provides expert guidance to the Mayor, Common Council, and City departments to support informed policy decisions and long‐range infrastructure planning.

The City Engineer supervises the activities of a small staff of technical employees and functions under administrative direction from the Mayor.

Duties

• Engineering Design, Planning & Review
• Directs and coordinates the design of municipal engineering projects, including preparation and/or review of plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Reviews, checks, and approves engineering plans and specifications for public improvements such as streets, sewers, bridges, parks, public buildings, and related infrastructure.
• Conducts and oversees preliminary studies, feasibility analyses, investigations, and conceptual designs for proposed capital projects.
• Ensures all engineering work complies with federal, state, and local codes.

Construction Oversight & Field Operations

• Directs engineering field surveys and oversees data collection necessary for design and construction.
• Supervises and inspects private contract construction affecting City infrastructure to ensure compliance with approved plans and municipal standards.
• Certifies monthly and final contractor payment applications based on verified progress and contract compliance.
• Provides technical direction during construction and assists in resolving field issues, change orders, and unforeseen conditions.

Interdepartmental & Public Interface

• Serves as a technical consultant to City departments, including Public Works, Water, Sewer, Parks, Fire, and Code Enforcement.
• Advises on engineering aspects of the water distribution system and assists with construction and maintenance activities as needed.
• Reviews petitions for local improvements and meets with residents, businesses, and community groups to address concerns, complaints, and project impacts.
• Prepares or reviews ordinances, resolutions, and policy documents related to engineering and public works.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Master’s degree in Engineering, and three (3) years or its part time equivalent of engineering experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity;

OR

• Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and four (4) years or its part time equivalent of engineering experience, two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity;

OR

• An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B) above.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATION: Possession of a current, valid New York State Professional Engineer (P.E.) license at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: The City Engineer is required to maintain residency within the City of Oswego got the duration of employment

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