Engineering Associate I

Role overview

This position works across City departments, the Texas Department of Transportation, outside consultants, and engineering firms to review site developments, subdivisions, and municipal projects. Working under the direction of a Professional Engineer, the role supports the preparation of construction drawings and specifications for water distribution and wastewater collection work, including booster stations, lift stations, and related components.

Key duties

• Develop and oversee construction plans for improvement projects such as lift stations, booster stations, public buildings, and water and sewer infrastructure.
• Create cost estimates and evaluate bid submissions to support contract award recommendations.
• Carry out field visits at intervals to check project progress, update plans when needed, and confirm that public works are being built to the approved plans and specifications.
• Examine plans, specifications, cut sheets, and change orders prepared by consulting engineers for city utility projects, including quantity checks, profile grade design, and verification of current standards.
• Track construction on new projects, review modifications, and complete closeout once work is finished while keeping projects within budget.
• Compute bearings and distances, calculate land areas, verify closures, and review metes and bounds descriptions for property acquisitions, annexations, or utility/drainage easements.
• Review survey consultants' work by confirming traverse closures, acreage calculations, and correct legal property descriptions.
• Prepare progress updates for assigned construction projects.
• Design water mains, valves, hydrants, services, flushing valves, air and vacuum valves, pressure reducing valves, and sanitary sewer collection systems under Professional Engineer supervision, ensuring compliance with TCEQ requirements.
• Support clear communication among staff, visitors, customers, and other business contacts.
• Follow all telephone and radio communication rules.
• Drive a City vehicle for official business when required.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and skills

The role calls for practical civil engineering knowledge, strong math and science foundations for design and analysis, understanding of administration and supervision, and familiarity with basic accounting principles for budgeting and cost control. Success also depends on project management, technical reporting, customer service, independent decision-making, supervision, public speaking, computer and spreadsheet use, and clear communication in English and Spanish.

Working conditions

Work may take place in an office setting, outdoors, at construction sites, near traffic, and in confined spaces. The position can involve exposure to cold weather, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic substances, communicable diseases, and difficult individuals. Physical demands may range from sedentary office work to lifting or moving up to 100 pounds depending on the task. Travel is required, mainly local, with rare regional and national travel and no international travel.

Requirements and hiring conditions

• Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited college or university.
• Institution must be accredited by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (C.H.E.A.).
• Valid Texas Driver's License is required; if the applicant currently has an out-of-state license, a Texas license must be obtained within 6 months of hire.
• A thorough background check and certified school transcripts are required for candidates who receive an offer.
• Pre-employment drug and alcohol testing is required.
• Selected employees in safety-sensitive roles may also be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.
• Applicants needing a reasonable accommodation for the selection process should contact the Human Resources Department at (956) 791-7480 at least two days before an interview or test.
• The employer is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, pro-disabled, and veteran employer.
• The organization welcomes applicants of all genders, races, ethnicities, disabilities, geographies, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, political views, religions, philosophies, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
• Employees must be able to work in a principle-based environment grounded in character and core values.

Additional information

This job description is intended as a representative outline of major duties and may include other job-related tasks as needed. The role also requires compliance with City policies and procedures, maintaining a professional image, and preserving effective working relationships.