Town Engineer

Position Type:

Engineering/Town Engineer

Date Posted:

1/28/2026

Location:

Engineering

Closing Date:

02/28/2026

Town of Vernon

Job Title: Town Engineer

Salary: E-5 - Range $109,012.98 - $126,375.98 (commensurate with experience)

Hours: 35/week - 4-day work week - Monday 8:00-4:30, Tuesday 8:00-7:00, Wednesday 8:00-4:30 & Thursday 8:00-4:30

Directors Union - view on the Town's website

General Statement of Duties: A highly responsible position involving planning, organizing, and performing professional engineering work in the inspection, design, construction and improvement of public works projects and facilities; provides engineering consultation to town departments, boards and commissions; oversees maintenance of town maps and engineering plans.

Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the Mayor and functional direction of the Town Administrator. Works independently, plans and organizes the activities of the unit according to standard or established procedures. Establishes priorities as needed. Prepares complex narrative and statistical reports for the Town Administrator and the Town Council. Reports work accomplished in accordance with policy.

Supervision Exercised: Provides general supervision to professional, secretarial and clerical support staff; supervises engineering assistants in project or field tasks; oversees work by external contractors.

Essential Job Functions: Plans work according to project schedules and standard procedures; determines priorities in work assignments; provides near term and long range planning assistance to the Mayor, Town Administrator and to Boards and Commissions, as required, in public works and development matters. Oversees and performs engineering, surveying, and inspections work in designing, reviewing and inspecting the construction of structures and facilities such as road, bridges, recreational facilities and sewer drainage systems. Oversees and prepares specifications and cost estimates for proposed public works projects; acts as Resident Engineer on contract and force account constructions projects; approves change orders as necessary; approves partial payments to private contractors upon completion of specified tasks. Coordinates with the Town Planner, Building Official, Police representatives, Fire Marshal and health officials in the review of site plans and inspections; coordinates project work with other towns, state and federal agencies as necessary; coordinates the technical review of development plans; performs technical review and prepares commentary on permit applications; prepares budget recommendations for unit and administers approved annual budget.

Other Job Functions: Oversees the maintenance and updating of road boundary, drainage, utilities and assessor maps, drawings, specifications and related records. Serves as Inland Wetlands Officer for Inland Wetlands Commission; serves as Town Safety Director. Administers right-of-way program. Oversees the organization and maintenance of unit files. Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in office settings and field environments. Outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments and construction sites. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to climb, balance, walk, stand, reach with hands and arms, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to cold, hot, wet or humid conditions or risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderate to loud in the field.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering; knowledge of mathematical principles applied to land surveying; working knowledge of laws and regulations related to municipal development and public works construction. Ability to apply principles of civil engineering to solve practical problems; ability to lead and supervise staff; ability to foster relationships and deal effectively with officials, business owners, outside agencies, employees, and the general public; ability to interpret engineering and architectural plans, drawings, and specifications; ability to prepare concise written reports; ability to publicly present reports in a clear and concise manner; ability to make accurate cost estimates; ability to develop and maintain a departmental budget; critical thinking skills with the ability to draw conclusions or approaches to problems to implement solutions; excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills with emphasis on ability to discuss engineering concepts to lay persons such as boards, commissions and the public. Must be computer proficient with the ability to learn software programs specific to the job. A Police background check will be required.

Experience & Training Required: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and six (6) years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience, including unit or project supervisory experience, or four (4) years of municipal engineering experience with at least two (2) years in a supervisory capacity. Any equivalent combination of education and experience. Some experience with water and sewer system engineering desirable.

License or Certificate: Must have and maintain State of Connecticut certification as a Professional Engineer. State certification as Land Surveyor desirable. Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator's license.

This job description is not intended to be a complete statement of all duties, functions and responsibilities which comprise this position. EOE/AA/M/F