Project Engineer

About the Port of Bellingham
The Port of Bellingham is a Washington State special purpose municipal corporation serving all of Whatcom County. It is a unique organization that makes significant contributions to the local community through leveraging its resources by directly participating in revenue-earning lines of business, as well as by capitalizing on its strategic assets through special public agency powers.

By using combined expertise in both the business and government sectors, the Port has a role in job preservation and job creation, as well as a role in the operation of transportation facilities for seaports and airports. This combination is distinct from that of either the private sector or other government entities.

Mission Statement: To promote sustainable economic development, optimize transportation gateways, and manage publicly owned land and facilities to benefit Whatcom County.

The Project Engineer provides an exciting opportunity to be involved in a diverse set of Port projects that will have significant and lasting positive impacts throughout our community. The Engineering Program delivers projects that promote sustainable economic development, optimize transportation gateways, and help manage public owned facilities to benefit Whatcom County. Projects are located at the Blaine Harbor, Squalicum Harbor, Bellingham International Airport, Fairhaven and the Bellingham cruise and shipping terminals. Projects may include, but are not limited to, new construction, repair, modification, expansion and replacement of:

• Marine structures including piers, wharves, floats, dolphins, breakwaters, bulkheads and revetments;
• Utilities including water, sewer, power, stormwater and communications;
• Buildings and interior building spaces such as warehouses, office buildings, ferry terminals, and event spaces;
• Establishing rail spur connections to main rail line, crossing and coordination with rail operations and stakeholders;
• Airport facilities including both airside and landside facilities while ensuring compliance with Federal Aviation Administration requirements;
• Roads and parking lots;
• Support for Waterfront District cleanup and redevelopment projects and,
• Parks and other public spaces.

The Port of Bellingham is hiring a Project Engineer OR Project Manager. Please feel free to apply for both positions if you meet the qualifications. You can find the Project Manager listing on our Employment Opportunities page.

This posting will close on October 9, 2024. Applications will be reviewed at this time. 

JOB SUMMARY

The Project Engineer contributes to the Port of Bellingham operations by performing a variety of engineering assignments at the professional level to analyze, research, plan, design, permit, and construct Port facilities.  Duties involve coordinating the work of consultants, in-house staff, and the Port’s maintenance department as it relates to assigned projects; performing technical and complex work in designing, permitting, plans and specifications preparation; review and estimating for Port construction and maintenance projects; performing owner representation and inspection during construction; and providing coordination with the Port’s operating departments and tenants through-out all phases of the project.

Position will regularly exercise independent judgment and discretion to perform specialized engineering tasks, including CAD and design work, permitting, construction plans and specifications, and project management.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Oversees in-house and/or consultant designed projects. Prepares plans, specifications, contract documents, cost and quantity estimates for public works construction and in-house maintenance projects.
2. Participates in all phases of proposed projects including preparation of requests for proposals.  Conducts the preparation of studies and preliminary field surveys in preparation for design and construction of Port projects.
3. Coordinates design funding, inspection, and maintenance criteria on construction or major maintenance projects with other Port divisions and outside agencies.
4. Coordinates technical review and design development meetings, which involve meeting with Project Sponsors, Port tenants, neighbors, architects and engineers, and representatives with outside agencies to review and analyze plans, specifications, and related impacts for assigned projects.
5. Prepares, applies, and secures permits with various City, County, State, and Federal agencies for construction of all projects.  Advocates on behalf of the Port issues relating to permitting and code compliance.
6. Prepares Special Provisions for bid documents and recommends bidding strategies.
7. Coordinates and supervises the site inspections of construction or maintenance work to assure the work is performed in accordance with plans, specifications, approved contract amounts, local, state, and federal standards and regulations; monitors contractor project management and coordination by maintaining records of contracts/project in progress, preparing progress estimates, checking quality and quantity of material and work performed;  negotiating and verifying change orders; initiating project correspondence between the Port, consultants, contractors and other agencies.  Assists in the development of project and construction work schedules.
8. Responds to inquiries, complaints, or requests for information regarding areas of assignment from other Port departments, tenants, agencies, and the general public.
9. Provides information and resolves concerns regarding Port engineering requirements and processes within scope of knowledge and authority.
10. Deliver presentations to the Commission requesting project approval and providing projects updates.
11. Maintain electronic engineering archive drawing files, reports, studies, and all engineering documents.
12. Create computer-generated mapping/graphics/reports/presentations/illustrations in support of department and other divisions.
13. Prepare annual schedule for Capital Improvement Projects.
14. Performs other duties as assigned. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Minimum three (3) years’ experience managing multiple construction projects.
• Certified completion of 24- to 40-hour Hazardous Materials Training or 8-hour refresher if previously certified may be required within 6 months of employment.

Preferred:

• Previous related experience in public works preferred.
• Pursuing professional Engineering licensure preferred.
• Candidates with experience in Civil, Structural, Electrical, Geotechnical, and Mechanical engineering as well as building and energy efficient projects encouraged to apply.

LICENSES REQUIRED

• Valid Washington State driver’s license is required.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates success in managing and completing a high volume of planned and unplanned projects.
• Has the ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Effective written and oral communication skills are required. 

• Ability to effectively work with Microsoft Office applications.  Experience with software that is typical to a professional engineering office.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY

Position does not supervise others, but must work independently and operates with a high degree of discretion. Position has responsibilities that could impact the Port and Port employees as well as legal liability and financial standing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Benefits include medical & prescription plans, dental, vision, orthodontia plans, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, basic and additional life and AD&D insurance, long-term disability, voluntary long-term care, vacation accrual starting at 18 days off per year, Washington paid sick leave, Washington State pension plans including PERS 2, 3, or LEOFF, deferred compensation, 11 paid holidays, and education assistance.