Job Title: City Engineer
Department: Engineering
Reports to: City Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Grade: 26A – 26R
2026 Wage: $125,382.40 - $190,777.60 per year, depending on qualifications and experience
JOB SUMMARY
The City Engineer is responsible for planning, designing, managing, and overseeing the City’s public infrastructure and engineering functions. This position provides professional engineering leadership for public works projects, including streets, utilities, drainage, and capital improvement projects, while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and engineering standards. The City Engineer works closely with City leadership, departments, consultants, contractors, and the public to deliver safe, efficient, and cost-effective infrastructure that supports the community’s needs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Provide overall leadership and management of the Engineering Department, including planning, directing, and evaluating all engineering services and activities.
· Develop and implement departmental goals, policies, procedures, and priorities in alignment with City objectives and regulatory requirements.
· Plan, administer, and oversee the department budget; forecast staffing, equipment, and project funding needs; approve expenditures and implement necessary budget adjustments.
· Direct the planning, design, construction, and maintenance oversight of City infrastructure within public rights-of-way, ensuring compliance with engineering standards, codes, and budget constraints.
· Perform and oversee professional civil engineering work, including review and approval of plans, plats, specifications, and related documents; ensure compliance with applicable ordinances and regulations.
· Supervise, train, motivate, and evaluate department personnel; address performance issues and implement corrective or disciplinary action as necessary.
· Evaluate departmental operations, staffing, and engineering methods to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and service delivery.
· Review and oversee the work of consultants, contractors, and other outside professionals providing design and construction services.
· Coordinate engineering activities with other City departments, governmental agencies, utilities, developers, and external organizations.
· Represent the Engineering Department before the City Manager, Mayor, City Council, boards, and community groups; prepare reports, recommendations, and technical documentation as required.
· Respond to and resolve complex or sensitive citizen inquiries, complaints, and development-related concerns.
· Develop and administer grants and external funding sources; oversee required reporting and compliance.
· Coordinate land acquisition processes related to public infrastructure projects.
· Direct engineering operations during local emergency and disaster situations as required.
· Serve as the City Engineer as defined by South Dakota Codified Law and applicable City ordinances.
· Stay current on developments, regulations, and best practices in municipal engineering.
· Administer the City’s Floodplain Management program by ensuring compliance with the City’s Floodplain ordinance.
· Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
· Familiarity with public works management principles.
· Knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices.
· Knowledge of floodplain management principles and practices.
· Knowledge of budgeting and accounting principles.
· Knowledge of city procurement processes.
· Knowledge of grant management principles.
· Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws, city ordinances, and department policies and procedures.
· Knowledge of Incident Command System procedures and operation.
· Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
· Skill in management and supervision.
· Skill in preparing and interpreting engineering reports and technical specifications.
· Skill in problem solving.
· Skill in prioritizing and planning.
· Skill in interpersonal relations.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The City Manager assigns work in terms of department goals and objectives. The supervisor reviews work through conferences, reports, and observation of department activities.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include South Dakota codified law, city ordinances, city personnel policies, national engineering guidelines and standards, Department of Transportation design manuals, and FEMA, EPA, SDDANR, and USACOE guidelines. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application. This position develops department guidelines.
COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK
· The work consists of varied administrative, supervisory, technical and management duties. The variety of tasks to be managed contributes to the complexity of the work.
· The purpose of this position is to supervise the city's engineering, and to collaborate on capital improvement operations. Successful performance helps ensure the effective and efficient operation of the department and affects the quality of life for city residents and visitors.
CONTACTS
· Contacts are typically with co‑workers, vendors, suppliers, other city employees, state, and local government officials, elected and appointed officials, community leaders, business leaders, contractors, and the general public.
· Contacts are typically to exchange information, motivate people, negotiate matters, resolve problems, and provide services.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT
· The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects, climbs ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, distinguishes between shades of color, and utilizes the sense of smell.
· The work is typically performed in an office and outdoors, occasionally in cold or inclement weather. The employee may be exposed to dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, and irritating chemicals. Work requires the use of protective devices such as masks, goggles, gloves, boots, high visibility clothing, hard hats, etc.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
This position has direct supervision over Assistant City Engineer (1), Engineering Tech (2), Administrative Assistant (1), and City Hall Custodial/Maintenance Supervisor (1).
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
· Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited university.
· Experience sufficient to thoroughly understand the diverse objectives in the division/department in order to direct and coordinate work within the division/department, usually interpreted to require five to ten years of related experience.
· Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid driver’s license issued by the State of South Dakota for the type of vehicle or equipment operated.
· Possess a valid registration as a Professional Engineer in the state of South Dakota or obtain valid registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of South Dakota through reciprocity.
· Certification as a Flood Plain Manager within one year of hire.
· Certification in Incident Command System operations.
RESIDENCY
· All new hires must reside within the city limits unless specific approval of City Manager.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $125,382.40 - $190,777.60 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- To be considered for this position, applicants are required to complete the City of Aberdeen’s official employment application.
The application can be found at:
https://www.aberdeen.sd.us/DocumentCenter/View/11271/Application-for-Employment-Fillable?bidId=
Ability to Relocate:
- Aberdeen, SD 57401: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
