City Engineer

Salary: $121,409.60 - $148,408.00 Annually
Location : Alaska 99701, AK
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 1701-2026
Department: Engineering
Opening Date: 04/02/2026
Closing Date: 4/26/2026 11:59 PM Alaska

Job Summary

This position is responsible for oversight of the Engineering Department to include the planning, organization, control, and direction of a variety of activities related to the design and construction administration of improvements in the ROW and facilities on city property. This position is bargained through IBEW and reports to the Mayor and Chief of Staff.
Essential Job Functions / Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Essential Job Functions:

• Supervise and direct the work flow of Department personnel that plan, permit, design, and construct road, utility, and facility projects.
• Develop and maintain a 10-year capital improvement program for current and future projects to keep City road infrastructure and facilities in a state of good repair and plan for future growth and expansion.
• Work with City Administration and Council to establish a reliable and sustainable annual Capital Budget to deliver the capital improvement program.
• Work closely with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAST Planning) and federal / state partners to acquire grant funding for projects.
• Plan, prepare, and administer Department Operating Budget.
• Collaborate effectively with the City of Fairbanks Public Works Department on maintenance activities and capital improvements and provide technical guidance as necessary.
• Lead the design teams, assign work, evaluate progress and provide training opportunities to personnel to include providing technical leadership and supervision of engineers with mentoring, performance development, and support toward professional licensure and advancement.
• Provide guidance and direction to direct reports as necessary for them to properly manage their respective areas.
• Oversee the production of documents for project delivery, to include plans, specifications and estimates for design and construction.
• Procure and manage contracts for professional consulting services as necessary.
• Produce and manage agreements / contracts with private developers for consistency in City design and that the construction meets City standards for future City maintenance.
• Present project designs, grant opportunities, and match / maintenance agreements to City Council for approval.
• Monitor all construction in ROW that will require city maintenance, ensuring oversight of parking and no parking in those areas.
• Prepare a variety of technical reports to support engineering programs and present written and oral recommendations.
• Communicate with concerned citizens, City departments, and outside agencies to provide engineering assistance and recommendations, exchange information, discuss concerns and requirements, coordinate projects, and examine site developments.
• Host public meetings and direct other outreach activities to gather input from / engage businesses and residents with City projects.
• Serve on local committees, boards, and commissions as appointed by the Mayor.

The above are examples of assignments performed by this class and are not intended to be all inclusive.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Candidates hired must satisfactorily demonstrate these factors during a prescribed probationary period for continued employment.

• Maintain knowledge of current literature, trends, and developments in the area of roadway design and operations.
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, statues, policies, and procedures included but not limited to right-of-way permitting, urban planning, and infrastructure improvements in the ROW.
• Knowledge of horizontal and vertical control datums and responsibly within the city.
• Knowledge of technical aspects of each field specialty.
• Provide strategic financial input and leadership on decisions affecting the Engineering Department budget, planning and control.
• Oral and written communication skills, correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Ability to effectively supervise personnel, assign work, and track all of the Department's project expenditures and budgets.
• Ability to work with the environmental manager / consultants to assist with addressing public concerns around contaminated soil, air, and water.
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with the City Council, City Mayor, department heads, Boards and Commissions, contractors, state, and federal agency representatives, private utility companies, and the general public.
• Present technical data clearly and concisely and in a manner which can be understood by lay people.
• Design, analyze, and review plans, estimates, and contracts.
• Develop bid specifications and coordinate the project work of contractors.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.

Minimum Qualifications

People applying for this position must have the following:

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited college.
• Possess a valid license to practice engineering as professional civil engineer issued by the Alaska State Board of Registration for Architects, Engineers, and Land Surveyors.
• 9 years' experience in civil engineering of increasing responsibility with at least 3 years in supervisory or management roles
• Possess and maintain a valid State of Alaska driver's license throughout the duration of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated experience in design:
Utilities- power, communications, water, sewer, steam, gas mains and services.
Roadway- drainage, geometry, pavement structure, traffic calming, permanent and work site traffic control, ADA compliance.

Demonstrated experience in construction administration:
With the above systems and procurement, differing conditions, measurement and payment.
Demonstrated experience in any of the listed Essential Job Functions.
The City of Fairbanks offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including: Health care, Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan (HRA), Flexible Spending Account, Dental care, Life Insurance, Long and short - term disability insurance options, pension, holidays, vacation, and deferred compensation plans.
Benefit packages are unique to each of our Union Contracts.