4.7 SR 04-15-2024City of
Elk -
River
To
City Council
Meeting Date
April 15, 2024
Item Description
Engineering Division Staffing
Request for Action
Item Number
4.7
Prepared By
Justin Femrite, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Reviewed by:
Justin Femrite
Cal Portner
Tina Allard
Action Requested
Approve, by motion, promoting Ryan Sandhoefner to Engineering Project Manager and post for the rehire of
a new Engineer I.
Background/Discussion
With the recent resignation of Engineering Project Manager Brandon Wisner, we have evaluated the growth
of our staff and the needs of the division. We recommend the promotion of Ryan Sandhoefner to the title of
Engineering Project Manager and to go to market to rehire the Engineer I position. Our turnaround is quick
as we desire to be on the market as new graduates look for positions near the end of the school year.
Ryan has continued to take on more duties as his experience with us has trained and positioned him for
advancement in his career.
Financial Impact
The approval is budget negative as the new Engineering Project Manager would be assigned to Step C, and we
expect to hire a new Engineer I at Step A.
Mission/Policy/Goal
City Mission.
Attachments
Engineering Project Manager Job Description
The Elk River Vision
A avelcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community p p W E R E U A Y
engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
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City of "' City of Elk River
Elk - Engineering Project Manager
River Position Description
Department/Division:
Immediate Supervisor:
Public Works/En ineerin
Senior En ineerin Project Manager
Pay Grade:
FLSA Status:
Last Updated:
6E
Exempt
10/2020
Positions Supervised:
Outside Consultants
Position Summary
The Engineering Project Manager plans, manages, supervises, and coordinates activities and
operations of assigned engineering projects and the city's Stormwater Management Program.
Consults with state officials regarding interpretation of rules governing water pollution
prevention, wetland protection, and floodplain management. Responds to citizen concerns.
Essential Functions
Under the direction of the Senior Engineering Project Manager, serves as project manager for
assigned projects.
A. Designs and reviews plans for city infrastructure projects to ensure design criteria are met
and in accordance with city standards.
B. Provides plan review, coordination, and management of private development projects.
C. Provides design, plan review, coordination, management, and construction oversight on
city infrastructure projects.
D. Coordinates and, at times, performs inspections on private and public projects.
E. Coordinates and attends bid openings and preconstruction meetings.
F. Reviews development agreements to assure completion of improvements conducted by
private developers is in accordance with city requirements.
G. Remains up to date on all specifications, regulations, codes, construction practices and
generally -accepted engineering standards.
H. Coordinates and oversees application of all local, state, and federal ordinances, codes, rules,
and regulations and ensures all reporting requirements are met.
I. Reviews preliminary and final plats, commercial site plans, preliminary utility plans, grading
plans, constructions plans, drawings, and specifications submitted by consultants, engineers
and developer to determine whether they conform to city comprehensive plans, guidelines,
policies, ordinances, and engineering standards.
J. Maintains and updates information on city mapping system and asset database.
K. Produces maps, charts, and drawings to support other departments.
L. Works with building safety division on grading permits, building permit review, etc.
2. Serves as project manager to other departments for services on design and construction of
assigned infrastructure projects.
A. Provides oversight of all components of design team selection, and design phase plan
preparation.
B. Provides guidance for the selection of construction contracting methods and execution of
contracts.
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C. Serves as the cities representative to negotiate project change orders and construction
related issues throughout a project.
D. Ensures final project closeout and turnover.
3. Manages the City's MS4 Permit and the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP).
A. Plans, organizes, and coordinates daily stormwater program activities including but not
limited to maintenance operations, design review, investigation, inspection, and water
quality programs related to public and private stormwater systems.
B. Conducts public meetings and prepares educational materials and programs in accordance
with NPDES requirements.
C. Coordinates staff training for practices and compliance as required, including knowledge
and implementation of BMPs.
D. Develops and manages all education programs relating to stormwater pollution prevention
and proper selection and use of BMPs.
E. Manages erosion control compliance; completes and directs field reviews. Develops and
manages activities to assure compliance with all regulations associated with any current or
future governing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL's) in the city.
F. Reviews drainage calculations and development plans for compliance with stormwater
management ordinances.
G. Completes annual report on city's Phase II MS4 Permit and presents at City Council or
other public meetings. Ensures report is submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA) by the established deadline.
H. Develops, tracks, and maintains all program data to prepare annual stormwater budget.
I. Represents the city in meetings involving other municipal and county governments and
state and federal agencies; serves as liaison with federal, state, and other agencies with
respect to regulations and programs involving water pollution and stormwater and flooding
issues.
J. Attends and participates in associated professional group meetings; stays abreast of new
trends and innovations in the field of stormwater and environmental programs.
4. Completes stormwater management designs and reviews.
A. Reviews all proposed property developments (new and redeveloped), and plans for
compliance with applicable stormwater management ordinances and NPDES permit
requirements.
B. Provides design, review, and oversight of stormwater capital projects from concept to
completion.
C. Develops capital project priorities under direction of city engineer; provides technical
expertise and responds to complex questions; resolves conflicts and interprets various
codes and ordinances; develops and revises procedures as needed.
D. Attends Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) meetings to ensure all local stormwater
ordinances are followed.
E. Prepares council briefings, state reports, and grant applications on all program activities.
5. Prepares, submits, and administers annual Stormwater Budget and Capital Improvement Plan
including the controls necessary to ensure budgetary compliance.
A. Monitors revenues and expenditures to assure sound fiscal control.
B. Assures effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and
time.
C. Prepares grant requests and other applications for project funding as they become
available.
D. Prepares assessment roles and leads the administration of the assessment process when the
Minnesota Statute 429 process is used to fund public improvements.
Engineering Project Manager
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6. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Follows all safety procedures.
B. Participates in required technical and safety training.
C. Regular and timely work attendance.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
❑ Demonstrates an advanced understanding of the federal, state, and local laws, ordinances and
programs on public infrastructure and stormwater management.
❑ Demonstrates an ability to effectively communicate information with agencies and the public.
❑ Ability to follow complex oral and written instructions. Demonstrates a proficiency in writing,
speaking, and listening to effectively communicate a variety of situations to varied audiences.
❑ Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city staff, advisory bodies,
other government agencies, and the public.
❑ Ability to prepare and manage multiple work programs in an efficient and productive manner.
❑ Demonstrates an ability to review construction sites, conduct investigations, develop corrective
actions, and monitor implementation to determine if desired results are achieved.
❑ Ability to work independently and assume responsibilities with minimal direct supervision.
❑ Ability to navigate project areas and uneven terrain to complete essential duties.
Minimum Qualifications
❑ Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resource Management,
or closely related field.
❑ One year of experience working in the engineering field.
❑ Valid driver's license and good driving record.
Preferred Qualifications
❑ Valid Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) license through the Minnesota Board of Architecture,
Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design.
❑ Additional years of experience and/or additional relevant certifications.
❑ Additional related education.
❑ Emphasized college stormwater curriculum.
❑ Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control.
This Position Description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is within the City of Elk River's discretion
to assign additional duties and responsibilities or remove duties and responsibilities at any time.
This Position Description does not constitute a Contract of Employment.
Engineering Project Manager
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