Staff Engineer I

The City of McHenry is accepting applications for their Staff Engineer I position. The Staff Engineer provides Civil Engineering support to the Assistant Director of Public Works/Senior Engineer for all City infrastructure, maintenance, engineering, and construction projects.

Salary range: $77,000 - $100,000 DOQ

Posting will be open until filled.

• The first round of interviews are anticipated to be the week of November 9, 2026.

Job Duties

• Provides customer service, responds to questions from the public, and engages with members of the public who are affected by City projects. Employee must resolve both technical and interpersonal problems in a cooperative and professional manner while conducting his/her other duties.
• Prepares preliminary concept plans and provides research for City infrastructure projects including preliminary cost estimates, concept plans, maps and schedules.
• Assist in preparing plans and specifications for small City projects for maintenance, facilities, and construction projects as well as managing the bidding process for such projects.
• Prepares and/or assists in the development of consultant and/or vendor services contracts and advertisements for services; participates in the consultant selection process; directs and/or supervises the work of consultants performing design services for City projects; directs and/or supervises the work of consultants functioning as resident engineers.
• Monitors projects assigned to staff and consultant engineers ensuring projects comply with specifications, are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Provides construction oversight for City-owned construction projects including the annual street resurfacing program, watermain replacement projects, sewer projects, and drainage projects. Task includes inspecting work sites to ensure construction is proceeding in accordance with engineering plans and contract documents as well as quantity verification.
• Provide construction inspection for new residential development projects including sewer, water and roadway construction.
• Maintains project records for engineering and construction projects.
• Promotes and follows the City’s values and expectations.

EQUIPMENT USED, WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Driving: Drive a City vehicle in the normal course of business.
• Office Equipment: Daily use of computer and software programs including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access), Adobe, CAD, GIS
• Physical Activities: Light physical activity, including walking jobsite and taking measurements.
• Lifting: Ability to lift, carry and exert up to 30 pounds.
• Vision and Hearing: Must have visual acuity to see and read paper and electronic documents. Must be able to answer telephone, communicate conversation and respond to verbal inquires.
• Exposure to Environmental Conditions: Position will require both office work and outside job site visits.

Schedule: Position is scheduled Monday through Friday from 7:00AM to 3:30PM. May require attendance at evening City Council or Committee meetings and occasional work beyond regular office hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate, or the ability to obtain one within 6 months of hire
• Preferred 1-3 years of civil engineering experience but will consider recent college graduates
• Driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Pass all pre-employment tests and examinations.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of contract specifications for engineering and construction projects
• Knowledge of civil engineering and construction principles, practices, and methods applicable to a municipal setting
• Basic knowledge of survey instrumentation
• IDOT Technology Transfer Center courses and IDOT Local Roads contract experience is a plus

Skills and Abilities:

• Project management and financial reporting of engineering and construction projects
• Engineering plan review for conformance with departmental standards and constructability
• Utility permit plan review and utility relocation oversight experience
• Ability to utilize MS Office Suite, Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) experience is a plus.
• Ability to prepare simple plans, exhibits and drawings.

The City of McHenry is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class.