Job Information
City of Somerville ADA Field Associate in Somerville, Massachusetts
Statement of Duties
The ADA Field Associate is responsible for project plan review and field inspection with respect to meeting the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the implementation of the City’s ADA Title II Transition Plan. The position researches, advises upon and develops policies and procedures for the design & construction of public outdoor spaces and streets relating to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB) issues.
This position provides additional capacity for ADA/MAAB and compliance issues regarding physical barriers in public outdoor spaces and streets. The role reports to the Deputy Director of Engineering (Services) and coordinates with the ADA Coordinator to increase communication and education around ADA/MAAB and accessibility issues. This role manages the complaint process and compliance of public outdoor spaces and streets by having the engineering and field expertise to investigate and enforce compliance issues.
Essential Functions:
The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Investigation of ADA/MAAB complaints related to physical barriers, accessibility, and physical ADA/MAAB non-compliance.
Liaison to city staff for ADA/MAAB compliance and related accessibility for planning, zoning, construction, and related departments.
Serves in an advisory role in conjunction with ADA Coordinator for special event planning and reviews plans and permits for ADA/MAAB compliance.
Provide engineering and technical assistance to the Department of Public Works, Water & Sewer Department, and other City departments as needed to support ongoing operations and improve public infrastructure.
Conducts field investigations and coordinates with project managers and traffic engineer to maintain access/accommodations during public infrastructure and private street construction projects.
Review site plans and project specifications for public & private projects to ensure compliance with City standards and sound engineering practices, relative to ADA/MAAB requirements.
Conduct field inspection of public & private outdoor spaces and streets to confirm ADA/MAAB compliance.
Conduct field investigations or inspections and document research as needed to support the planning, design, construction, and operation of public infrastructure.
Understand and interpret City Ordinances and Engineering Department policies.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing and to conduct design reviews with applicants, and to respond to service requests, questions and concerns from constituents.
Serve as point of contact for residents regarding Engineering permits, standards, and general inquiries. Provide technical information and assistance to constituent requests submitted via Engineering Division shared email and online request portal.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and/or Architecture from an accredited program with one to three (1-3) years of related work experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Special Requirements
Successful pre-employment physical examination
Valid Class D driver’s license (recommended)
OSHA 10-hour Construction Site Safety (recommended)
OSHA Confined Space Entry Training (recommended)
Knowledge, Abilities and Skill
Knowledge: thorough knowledge of engineering standards. Knowledgeable in record keeping and report writing. General knowledge of the principles and practices of project management, work breakdown structures, communications planning, and work load management.
Abilities: Ability to produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation and grammar; use and interpret graphical information such as construction plans, schematic drawings, flow charts, layouts and other visual aids, and electronic project management applications; ability to interpret information accurately and make decisions according to existing laws, regulations and policies; ability to manage multiple projects of various complexities with competing interest and multiple funding sources; ability to manage and coordinate contractors and outside vendors effectively on a construction site.
Skill: Proficient communication skills, both verbal and written as well as the ability to deal with the public in tense situations; proficiency with computers and Microsoft Office platform.
Work Environment
The work environment is a mix of field and office work. The office work involves everyday discomforts typical of offices. Noise or physical surroundings may be distracting, but conditions are generally not unpleasant. The field work requires moderate intermittent physical strength and effort around navigating and assisting construction and repair sites with exposure to the elements. Additionally, the employee may be required to work beyond normal business hours in response to attend evening meetings or complete work assignments.
Physical and Mental Requirements
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 position’s essential functions.
Physical Skills
Employee will spend time in the office and in the field during construction projects. Work effort involves an equal mix of sitting, standing and walking to perform work tasks. Work requires some agility such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain. There may also be some occasional lifting of objects such as books, office equipment, and computer paper (up to 30 lbs). During construction season, employee may be standing for periods longer than two to three (2-3) hours at a time, may entering and exit confined spaces, and may encounter inclement weather.
Motor Skills
Duties may involve assignments requiring application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination. Examples include operating a motor vehicle, using a personal computer, or climbing a ladder.
Visual Skills
Visual demands include constantly reading documents for general understanding and for analytical purposes, making detailed visual observations, and routinely reviewing non-written materials such as maps and blueprints for analytical purposes; the employee is required to determine color differences.
Hours: Full-Time
Salary: $81,182.41 annualized, plus benefits
Union: Non-Union
FLSA: Exempt
Date Posted: August 30th, 2023
This position is budgeted with a start date of January 1st, 2024.
City of Somerville residents are especially encouraged to apply.
The City of Somerville is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability or any other protected category. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities free of charge, upon request. Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.
Pre-Employment Requirements for All Employees:
MA Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) clearance
Completition of Conflict-of-Interest Law Education training for municipal employees
Overview of Total Rewards:
4 weeks annual vacation (for non-union positions) union positions vary by contract
Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
Long term disability through Sun Life
Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
Annual cancer screening & wellness release
Somerville Retirement Pension System
Tuition reimbursement
MBTA pass program
FREE Blue Bikes membership
Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
Benefits listed are for benefits-eligible positions and the above information is meant to be a general overview of the benefit programs offered by the City of Somerville and not a binding contract.
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