THE OPPORTUNITY
The City of Santa Fe, Texas is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and forward-thinking municipal engineering professional to serve as its next City Engineer. This newly established executive-level position will lead the Community Services Department and serves as a key member of the City's leadership team.
Reporting directly to the City Manager, the City Engineer provides strategic leadership over the City's engineering, development review, capital improvement program, drainage initiatives, infrastructure planning, and engineering consulting services. This position works closely with City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, developers, consultants, utility providers, and regional agencies to ensure the City's continued growth is supported by quality infrastructure and sound engineering practices.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in shaping Santa Fe's future while maintaining the City's small-town values and commitment to exceptional customer service.
POSITION SUMMARY
The City Engineer performs highly responsible professional engineering, administrative, and supervisory work involving the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of municipal infrastructure. The position oversees engineering review of private development, manages the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), coordinates with consulting engineers and contractors, and provides engineering guidance to City leadership and all municipal departments.
The City Engineer exercises considerable independent judgment and technical expertise while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties are intended to be representative and not all-inclusive.
Engineering & Infrastructure
- Oversees planning, design, construction, and maintenance of municipal infrastructure including streets, drainage, parks, and public facilities.
- Manages the City's Capital Improvement Program from project planning through construction and closeout.
- Oversees engineering consultants, surveyors, contractors, and construction managers.
- Reviews engineering plans, specifications, studies, reports, and cost estimates.
- Coordinates engineering inspections and construction administration.
- Develops engineering standards and specifications.
- Identifies infrastructure deficiencies and recommends improvements.
Development Services
- Directs engineering review of residential, commercial, and industrial development projects.
- Reviews plats, site plans, utility plans, drainage studies, traffic analyses, and public infrastructure improvements.
- Coordinates development review with Planning, Public Works, utilities, emergency services, and outside agencies.
- Ensures compliance with City ordinances, development standards, subdivision regulations, TCEQ requirements, FEMA regulations, TxDOT standards, and other applicable laws.
- Assists in updating engineering design criteria, subdivision regulations, and development ordinances.
Leadership & Administration
- Serves as a member of the City's executive leadership team.
- Advises the City Manager and City Council on engineering matters and public infrastructure investments.
- Prepares agenda items, technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for City Council, Zoning Board of Adjustment Commission, and Planning & Zoning Commission meetings.
- Develops departmental goals, performance measures, policies, and procedures.
- Prepares and administers the departmental operating and capital budgets.
- Pursues grants and funding opportunities related to infrastructure improvements.
- Coordinates with regional, county, state, and federal agencies.
Project Management
- Plans and manages multiple engineering projects simultaneously.
- Negotiates professional service agreements.
- Monitors project schedules, budgets, and consultant performance.
- Reviews contractor pay applications and change orders.
- Ensures projects are completed on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with City standards.
Customer Service & Collaboration
- Serves as the City's primary engineering representative with residents, developers, engineers, contractors, utility providers, and governmental agencies.
- Responds to citizen inquiries regarding infrastructure and development projects.
- Works collaboratively with Public Works, Police, Fire Marshal, Finance, City Secretary, Municipal Court, and Economic Development staff.
- Provides engineering support to all City departments as needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned by the City Manager.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Thorough knowledge of municipal civil engineering principles and practices.
- Knowledge of municipal infrastructure systems including streets, drainage, water distribution, wastewater collection, and stormwater management.
- Knowledge of subdivision development and land development processes.
- Working knowledge of Texas Local Government Code, TCEQ regulations, FEMA requirements, TxDOT standards, and applicable engineering standards.
- Strong project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to interpret engineering plans, specifications, contracts, and legal descriptions.
- Ability to prepare clear technical reports and present complex information to elected officials and the public.
- Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to build productive relationships with developers, consultants, elected officials, employees, and citizens.
- Ability to effectively prioritize multiple projects and deadlines.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited college or university is required.
Experience
- Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible municipal engineering experience.
- At least one (1) year of supervisory or management experience preferred.
- Experience managing municipal capital improvement projects, development review, consultant contracts, 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. Duties include visits to construction sites, public infrastructure, and undeveloped properties. Work may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, uneven terrain, construction hazards, traffic, noise, and dust.
Occasional evening meetings and emergency response may be required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The employee must be able to:
- Operate a motor vehicle.
- Traverse construction sites and undeveloped properties.
- Sit, stand, walk, bend, climb, and lift up to 25 pounds.
- Review engineering plans and construction 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 that values innovation, responsible growth, fiscal stewardship, and outstanding public service. As a member of the City's executive leadership team, the City Engineer will have the opportunity to influence major infrastructure investments, guide responsible development, and help shape the future of one of the region's most promising communities.
The City offers a competitive salary based on qualifications, an excellent benefits package, participation in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS), paid holidays, generous paid leave, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative leadership environment committed to continuous improvement.
The City of Santa Fe is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Contact the City Secretary with any questions by calling (409) 925-6412 or by emailing [email protected].
Pay: $90,423.00 - $122,111.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
