THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Santa Fe, Texas is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking municipal engineering professional to serve as its next Part-Time City Engineer.
Reporting directly to the City Manager, this executive-level position replaces the Community Services Director and serves as the City's principal engineering advisor. The City Engineer provides strategic leadership over engineering services, development review, capital improvement projects, drainage initiatives, infrastructure planning, and engineering consulting services while working approximately 20 hours per week.
This position is ideal for an experienced municipal engineer seeking a flexible schedule while continuing to make a meaningful impact on a growing community. The successful candidate will work closely with the City Manager, City Council, developers, consulting engineers, regional agencies, and City staff to guide infrastructure investments and ensure quality development throughout the City.
POSITION SUMMARY
The City Engineer performs highly responsible professional engineering, administrative, and leadership work involving the planning, review, management, and oversight of municipal infrastructure and development projects.
Rather than performing daily engineering design work, this position serves as the City's engineering leader by directing engineering consultants, reviewing private development, managing capital improvement projects, advising City leadership, and ensuring compliance with applicable engineering standards and regulations.
The City Engineer exercises considerable independent judgment while serving as the City's principal engineering authority.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Engineering Leadership
- Serves as the City's chief engineering advisor to the City Manager and City Council.
- Oversees engineering services for all municipal infrastructure projects.
- Reviews engineering reports, plans, specifications, and technical studies.
- Provides recommendations regarding streets, drainage, parks, and other public infrastructure.
- Coordinates engineering priorities with Public Works and other City departments.
Capital Improvement Program
- Oversees planning, budgeting, design, and implementation of the City's Capital Improvement Program.
- Manages engineering consultants and construction professionals.
- Reviews project schedules, budgets, change orders, and consultant performance.
- Assists in identifying infrastructure funding opportunities and grant programs.
- Provides project updates to City leadership and elected officials.
Development Review
- Oversees engineering review of residential, commercial, and industrial developments.
- Reviews subdivision plats, site plans, utility plans, drainage studies, and public infrastructure improvements.
- Coordinates development review with City departments and outside agencies.
- Ensures compliance with City ordinances, engineering standards, TCEQ regulations, FEMA requirements, TxDOT standards, and other applicable laws.
Leadership & Administration
- Serves as a member of the City's executive leadership team.
- Advises the City Manager on engineering matters, development issues, infrastructure planning, and long-range capital needs.
- Prepares staff reports, agenda items, technical memorandums, and presentations for City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, and Zoning Board of Adjustment meetings.
- Assists in preparing annual departmental and capital budgets.
- Recommends updates to engineering standards, subdivision regulations, and infrastructure policies.
Collaboration
- Serves as the City's primary engineering representative with residents, developers, contractors, consulting engineers, utility providers, and governmental agencies.
- Works collaboratively with Public Works, Finance, Police, Fire Marshal, City Secretary, Municipal Court, Economic Development, and other City departments.
- Provides engineering guidance and technical expertise to City staff as needed.
Performs other duties as assigned by the City Manager.
WORK SCHEDULE
This is a part-time exempt position working approximately 20 hours per week.
The schedule is flexible and generally established in coordination with the City Manager based upon operational needs. Attendance at City Council meetings, Planning & Zoning meetings, project meetings, and occasional evening meetings is expected as necessary.
Some additional hours may be required during emergencies, major infrastructure projects, or critical development activities.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The successful candidate will possess:
- Thorough knowledge of municipal civil engineering principles and practices.
- Knowledge of public infrastructure systems including streets, drainage, water, wastewater, and stormwater management.
- Strong understanding of municipal development processes and subdivision regulations.
- Knowledge of Texas Local Government Code, TCEQ regulations, FEMA requirements, and TxDOT standards.
- Excellent project management, organizational, and leadership skills.
- Ability to evaluate engineering reports and provide practical solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple projects while working independently.
- Ability to establish productive relationships with elected officials, developers, consultants, employees, and the public.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited college or university is required.
Experience
- Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible municipal engineering experience.
- Experience managing municipal capital improvement projects and development review.
- Previous supervisory or executive leadership experience is preferred.
- Experience working with elected officials, consulting engineers, and public infrastructure projects is highly desirable.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required:
- Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas.
- Valid Texas Driver License.
Preferred:
- Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM).
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in both office and field environments. The position includes site visits to construction projects, public infrastructure, and development sites. Occasional exposure to varying weather conditions, construction hazards, uneven terrain, and traffic is expected.
Evening meetings and emergency response may occasionally be required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The employee must be able to:
- Operate a motor vehicle.
- Visit construction sites and undeveloped properties.
- Sit, stand, walk, bend, climb, and occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
- Review engineering plans and technical documents.
- Operate standard office equipment and computer software.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
WHY SANTA FE?
The City of Santa Fe is a growing community in Galveston County committed to responsible growth, fiscal stewardship, and exceptional customer service. This unique executive-level, part-time opportunity allows an experienced municipal engineer to help shape the City's future while maintaining a flexible work schedule.
The City offers a competitive salary based on qualifications, professional development opportunities, and the opportunity to serve as a trusted advisor to the City Manager and City Council.
The City of Santa Fe is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For questions, please contact the City Secretary by calling (409) 925-6412 or by emailing [email protected].
Pay: From $43.47 per hour
Work Location: In person
