What are the responsibilities and job description for the Engineer IV position at Snohomish County?
Can you see yourself in a career where each week offers the opportunity to manage interesting projects and lead a team of dedicated engineers and technicians in a wide variety of transportation projects improving one of the fastest growing counties in Washington? Snohomish County Public Works is hiring a talented individual to fill a key Public Works Engineer IV position in our Engineering Services Design team.
In this senior level professional position, you will provide leadership for a core staff of design engineers and technicians to meet the challenges of delivering a wide variety of transportation improvement projects throughout the County. You will share your knowledge, perspective, and skills by mentoring your team as they ensure high-quality roads, bridges, pedestrian improvements, stream restoration, and other projects that benefit the lives of the residents of Snohomish County.
The ideal candidate will have extensive project management and design experience preparing engineering studies, plans, specifications, estimates, and construction documents for a variety of public works projects. This is a senior level professional position where the successful candidate shall have the ability to lead a diverse team, have excellent communications skills and be able to creatively solve problems on complex projects.
Qualified candidates
Join our award-winning team if you have a proven track record of accomplishment and collaboration to deliver multiple projects ranging in size and complexity from $400K to more than $10M. Ideal candidates will bring these skills to our team:
- Experience designing and permitting transportation projects from concept through construction.
- Proven track record of delivering results and building accountability.
- Ability to create a positive work environment for staff, promoting teamwork and creative thinking.
- Ability to coach and mentor staff to develop their skills.
- Leadership.
- Communication.
- Problem solving and decision making.
- Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with staff and stakeholders.
A Professional Engineer (PE) license is required for this position.
This job posting is to fill one (1) Engineer IV position and to create an eligibility register to fill future Engineer IV positions for the next 6 months.
Selection Process
Application assessments will begin July 27, 2027. Please apply as early as possible.
Join Snohomish County Public Works and enjoy these perks:
- Make a contribution in shaping one of Washington’s fastest growing counties
- Join an award-winning organization well known for excellence and commitment to high-quality public service
- Advancement opportunities
- Employee development and training opportunities
- Excellent medical, dental, and other benefits
- Earn a Pension! Start vesting for a Washington Department of Retirement System (DRS) PERS pension.
- Security, stability, and a lifelong career!
About Engineering Services
Our Engineering Services division in Public Works delivers a full design and construction program and encourages a team environment for employees to develop career pathways with growth potential and personal satisfaction knowing their role contributes to well-constructed projects for the residents of Snohomish County.
About Snohomish County Public Works Department
Snohomish County Public Works is responsible for more than 1,650 miles of county roads, 210 bridges and 202 traffic control signals, as well as processing nearly 600,000 tons of garbage per year. Its mission is to focus on safety and mobility while practicing fiscal responsibility and preserving the environment. Public Works has won numerous state and national honors for its work and is the largest department within Snohomish County government with approximately 550 employees plus seasonal staff. Its main office is located at 3000 Rockefeller Avenue, Everett, WA 98201.
Visit www.snohomishcountywa.gov/PublicWorks for more information about Snohomish County Public Works.
When joining Public Works, you will work in an environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are highly encouraged and supported. We strive to not only provide a meaningful job, but a lifelong career at Snohomish County.
Benefits
Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family and will be invested in your success and growth. We are proud to offer an outstanding benefit package to employees and their dependents. We offer competitive wages; job flexibility and stability; pension opportunities; and employer paid ORCA cards. Snohomish County will be invested in your success and growth and offers the following benefits to our employees. Your salary is only part of your Total Compensation Package:
- Retirement: County employees participate in the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) administered by the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS).
- Medical benefits: The County offers a choice of three comprehensive medical insurance plans with low deductibles. The county’s contribution to this benefit is significant.
- Flexible work schedules for some positions.
- Career development training.
- Sick leave: You will accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month.
- Vacation Leave: You will start out accruing 8 hours of vacation leave per month totaling 2.4 weeks of vacation in your first year. Your leave accruals increase based on your years of employment with the County.
- Holiday Pay: The County observes 11 paid legal holidays per year and provides employees with two floating holidays annually.
- Benefits: The County offers a wide range of benefits including, medical, and dental, vision, life insurance, LTD, deferred compensation and more.
- Deferred Compensation: If you choose to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP), the County will match your contributions up to 1 percent of your base monthly salary.
- Pay Increases: Each year you will be eligible for a step increase until you reach the top step.
- Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA): Effective January 1, 2027, all six (6) step salary tables shall have a seventh (7th) step added to the top of each pay grade. Employees who have been at step 6 for a full year shall be placed at step 7 effective January 1, 2027.
Teleworking Options
The work associated with this position can be performed with a hybrid of remote work and in-office work as needed and assigned. For employees who prefer to work in the office full-time, that option is also available. This position will work full-time in the office for up to one (1) year. Once the necessary skills and knowledge have been developed, we anticipate the position will work two (2) days in the office and three (3) days remote. Telework options are subject to change depending upon staff and management needs.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Snohomish County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. A Snohomish County Telework agreement is required for employees assigned to telework.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their Snohomish County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
About Snohomish County
Snohomish County, north of Seattle, is located in northwest Washington between Puget Sound and the Cascade Mountains. The county has rich scenery, numerous activities, and a thriving economy. Snohomish County is a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.
Snohomish County – The Future We Choose – video
For information about this job opportunity and posting, please email: SPW-Recruitment.
The Engineer IV is a Senior Project Manager position responsible for development and design of programmed projects totaling $10 million or more and leads a group of professional employees performing advance engineering assignments requiring the application of engineering principles and methods. Seals all plans developed under his/her direction with professional engineer's stamp.
- Plans and coordinates all engineering operations related to complex engineering projects.
- Acts as a division resource in resolving complex engineering problems relating to design, land development, traffic operations and right of way use and acquisition.
- Assigns, evaluates and leads the work of four (4) or more subordinate employees as required; advises, assists and trains subordinates as necessary; participates in the selection of new employees, and may perform periodic performance evaluations.
- Directs the preparation of comprehensive engineering studies and databases in order to compile, cross-index and analyze information for engineering planning and decision making.
- Resolves design and funding problems on county projects under construction to ensure that the completed project operates as intended and preserves the public health and safety.
- Prepares and manages the preparation of project plans, specifications, estimates and construction documents to assure that assigned projects are completed on schedule and within an acceptable budget.
- Coordinates operations with resource groups, other county departments and programs, outside agencies, citizen groups and the general public as necessary; provides technical assistance to other county departments as required.
- Reviews and approves plans and contract documents before they are used in the public bidding process for county construction projects, includes stamping plans and specifications with Professional Engineering License.
- Works with the Prosecuting Attorney's Office to resolve engineering related legal issues and acts as an expert witness on engineering aspects of design and right-of-way use/acquisition and land development for assigned public works projects.
- Prepares reports and recommendations to the County Council, various community groups and outside agencies as necessary; may conduct or participate in public hearings to explain program plans and solicit public input.
- Prepares Federal and State funding applications, prospectus packages, council approval motions, permits and jurisdictional agreements and other documents to support funding of design and construction projects on the County ACP and Six Year TIP.
- Responds to inquiries from the public regarding specific problems or issues in area of assignment.
- Prepares regular project status reports and task assignments status reports.
- Selecting and managing of engineering consultants to provide necessary project services for the department when the expertise or resources are not available.
- Coordinates with other County agencies, governmental agencies; municipalities, citizen groups, developers, and utilities to achieve project goals and presents comments on behalf of the Public Works department.
STATEMENT OF OTHER JOB DUTIES
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
A Professional Engineer's License in civil engineering is required for all positions.
Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks. Snohomish County will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States.
- civil engineering standards, principles and practices with special reference to the functional area
- methods and techniques related to the planning, design, construction and maintenance of public works facilities
- federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations related to the area of assignment
- the principles and practices of planning, scheduling and budgeting
- methods to conduct comprehensive engineering studies and data analysis
- the literature, trends and developments in the area of specialty
- manage multiple projects and activities
- design construction projects by preparing contract plans and specifications and developing estimates
- direct and evaluate the work of subordinate employees
- develop project specific work plans, schedules and budgets
- propose solutions to complex problems utilizing professional knowledge, research and other outside resources
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, department heads, associates, subordinates, representatives of other agencies, and with the general public
- communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; prepare a variety of correspondence, reports and other written materials and documents
- exercise excellent interpersonal communication skills, conflict resolution and negotiation skills; walk and climb on construction sites
SUPERVISION
Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.
EEO policy and ADA notice
Salary : $110,439 - $140,951