Distinguishing Features of the ClassUnder general supervision, to perform sub-professional engineering duties with responsibility for coordinating or conducting work on phases of minor to moderately complex engineering projects including design and administration; or for performing and/or for supervising other sub-professional personnel performing routine or minor engineering project activities on one or more phases of a complex engineering project. Engineering Technicians may serve in a variety of sub-professional engineering assignments including drafting, material testing, drainage studies, inspection or assisting project engineers with the planning, design and construction of streets, sewers and other municipal projects; or may supervise other sub-professional or semi-skilled employees performing phases of engineering projects.
The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including: Residency Incentive
Volunteer Time
Parental Leave
Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
12 Paid Holidays
Health/Dental/Life Insurance
Wellness Programs
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)
Deferred Compensation Plan matching up to 2.5%
Employee Discounts
Acceptable Experience and Training- Graduation from high school including or supplemented by courses in drafting and mathematics; and
- Considerable years of progressively responsible experience doing sub-professional engineering work; or
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training in which each year of education in an engineering related field may be substituted for two year of required sub-professional engineering experience.
Required Special Qualifications- Certification as an Engineering Technician (ET) by the Institute for the Certification of Engineering Technologies sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers or, possession of a current Engineer-In-Training (EIT) certificate is preferred.
- Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen.
- Possession of a valid Iowa Driver's License or evidence of equivalent mobility is required.
Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)- Designs and assists in the design of public construction projects.
- Drafts and prepares construction plans and specifications for sanitary and storm sewers, demolition, paving improvements, bridges and other structures; estimates quantities for such projects.
- Performs plan review of building site plans.
- Coordinates inspection of driveway and sidewalk construction, sewer connections, street excavation and other construction activities; analyzes drainage complaints.
- Calculates distances, ties, angles, traverses and closures; computes quantities; determines preliminary grades.
- Prepares simple reports; assists in the preparation of specifications; tests construction materials for conformance to specifications; assists with project administration.
- Supervises other sub-professional and semi-skilled personnel performing phases of engineering projects such as surveyors, drafters, special study squads or utility coordinators.
- Prepares legal descriptions or prepares assessment schedules; enforces contract specifications; and gathers data for engineering projects.
- Researches records to respond to citizen and employee requests as needed; provides project information and record information to the public.
- Performs related work as required.
Click here for Benefit SummaryClosing Date/Time: 5/30/2025 4:00 PM Central