Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Custom Section
Timeline
Generic

Melissa Blau

Clovis

Summary

Highly skilled and knowledgeable Civil Engineer with over 18-years of design and project management experience in the Heavy Civil/Transportation field. Strong multitasker adept at coordinating and communicating, with exceptional skill in functioning well in a high-pressure work environment. Striving to attain the Assitant Director position to serve as a strategic leader and visionary, orchestrating the successful delivery of complex initiatives within the Capital Projects Department and Transportation Project Management Team. 

Overview

22
22
years of professional experience

Work History

Projects Administrator

City of Fresno
08.2022 - Current
  • Management of high-profile projects to include the planning and coordination of stakeholders, Engineering Consultants, and City Staff, to deliver construction documents in line with the scope, schedule and budget.
  • Prepare and review staff’s Bi-Weekly Reports to provide to client department. Provide additional status updates upon request.
  • Review and prepare Staff Reports, Council Reports, Project Charters, and Amendment Requests with team for execution. Coordinate review of documents with Risk and Legal Teams.
  • Preparation of forms and paperwork as required for Federal Projects and/or State/Local Grants. Assist with Grant review, narrative writing, schedules, and processing as needed for current or new projects.
  • Coordinate Environmental assessments that include CEQA or NEPA as governed by project Local/Federal requirements.
  • Review, approve, and coordinate processing of project invoices.
  • Assist with hiring process by providing resume review, conducting interviews, extending offers, and onboarding support.
  • Conduct consultant hiring process for projects with preparation of RFP/RFQ, review of SOQ/Proposals, conduct interview, provide input on selection, and manage negotiations of scope and fee.
  • Coordinate with right of way staff and outside right of way consultants for Land Procurement, Title Reports, Excess Land, Appraisals, Easements, Resolution of Necessity, and Relocation Assistance.
  • Coordination with other disciplines for design/plan review (Geotechnical, Traffic, Landscape, Electrical, Structural, Public Utilities),
  • Prepare and assist team with Fiscal Year budgets for project funding allocations. Attend department budget meetings to discuss proposed budgets for management approval. Review budgets on a monthly basis to ensure proper management of funding.
  • Developing and assessing milestones for project to hit deliverables and funding deadlines.
  • Manage multiple external Consultants and Consultant Deliverables - Prepare requests for proposals for consultant contracts, participate in review of proposals and interview selection process, negotiate and execute contracts, coordinate with and review consultant deliverables through project, and prepare project close out.
  • Prepare and review project estimates. Maintain an understanding of current market unit prices and contractor bids to evaluate estimates.
  • Prepare and review project specification package. Maintain an understanding of State, Local, and Agency Specifications to write and review project specifications.
  • Provide Construction Assistance and work with Construction Management Division on Material Submittals, RFI's, CCO's, redesign, and other challenges that arise. Ensure a familiarity of project plans, specifications, estimate, and Agency standards to provide direction to Construction Management and Contractor with construction questions and delivery of project.
  • Utility Coordination to include conducting meetings, relocation suggestions and plans, and utility exploration. Lead utility coordination and relocation efforts for project to include coordinating and management with consultants and various utility companies.
  • Lead, help develop, and attend project meetings by providing Agenda and presentations, present project details, meeting meetings and respond to requests. (Pre-Bid, Pre-Construction, Project support Meetings, Project Development or others as needed).
  • Establish contact and coordinate with outside Agencies/Stakeholders and Internal City Staff for project coordination and approval (BNSF, FMFCD, FID, Council Members, Mayor, City Manager, Businesses/Corp associated with Projects).
  • Provide project presentations at City Council Meetings or other various board meetings on a project specific basis that may include Council Members, or various other Boards and their members to provide project updates, response to project questions, visuals and exhibits, or reports.

Design Engineer II/Project Manager

Mark Thomas
09.2008 - 07.2022
  • Lead Design Engineer/Project Manager in charge of multiple civil projects from initial design through construction completion to include managing the project scope, schedule, and budget, subconsultant coordination, and project deadlines.
  • Attend weekly Project Managers’ meeting with Division Manager to review team project workload and available resources to determine project assignments.
  • Prepare plan sheets, Engineer’s Estimate, and write Specifications. Proficient with multiple local agency (City of Fresno, Fresno County) and Caltrans Standards and Specification formats. Maintain organized records, communicate project updates, coordinate with multiple subconsultants and stakeholders of the project.
  • Pursue project leads and assist business development with preparation of proposals, participate in project Interviews, manage scoping, and fee proposals during contract negotiations.
  • Prepare various Caltrans reports to include but not limited to Design Exceptions, Storm Water Data Reports, Project Reports, Right of Way Certification, and Design Information Bulletins.
  • Experience with project Billing worksheets and accounting documents.
  • Provide assistance during Bidding and Construction Phases by reviewing and responding to Contractor Project Material Submittals, RFI, and any other questions required from the Contractor or Construction Management Team. Ensure that all phases of construction projects are completed within specifications and timelines. Monitor project schedules, budgets, and change orders.
  • Project Manager in charge of employee recruitment, interviewing, and selection to include onboarding and training. Lead, mentor, and supervisor of 3-9 Engineers working on multimillion dollar projects.
  • Regular use of AutoCAD Civil 3d to create and draft plans, provide design of alignments, profiles, corridors, cross sections, use of grading feature lines, volume calculations, surfaces, and topo functions for civil capital improvement projects.
  • Respond and address stakeholder/agency comments and provide quality control checks at various stages of the project.
  • Versed in local Utility Companies, contacts, and Supporting Utilities to include Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District and Fresno Irrigation District. Familiar with Caltrans utility ABC Process, utility relocation plans and processes, various Agency Standard Drawings, Standards, Specifications, and issuing Notice to Owner.
  • Responsible for the preparation of project meeting and Project Delivery Team meeting agendas, meeting minutes, and running meetings. Attended Pre-Bid, Pre-Construction, and Construction Support Meetings as needed for each project.
  • Perform engineering calculations as needed.
  • Familiar with Caltrans Standard Plans, Processes, Design Standards, Highway Design Manual, and Local Assistance Procedures Manual.
  • Working knowledge of UPRR BNSF Grade Separation design guidelines and standards.



Engineer in Training

Ingels-Braun & Associates
08.2003 - 05.2007
  • Various land development projects which include the design and drafting of Subdivision maps, pump station improvement plans, as well as work with street plans, grading plans, and sewer & water plans.
  • Other responsibilities include project research, organization/management, and client meetings. Knowledge of various City of Fresno processes, City staff, and permit compliance.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering

California State University, Fresno
Fresno, CA
12-2005

Undergraduate Studies - Mathematics

California State University, Stanislaus
Turlock, CA
06-2002

Skills

  • Strong leader and team builder
  • Develops positive workplace relationships
  • Time Management and Organization
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • Problem solving and critical thinking

Custom Section

  • Play an active role in various Professional organizations to include ASCE, APWA, ITE, and WTS.
  • Proficient with AutoCAD Civil 3d, Word, Excel, Bluebeam, Microsoft Project, Teams, Outlook, Adobe.

Timeline

Projects Administrator

City of Fresno
08.2022 - Current

Design Engineer II/Project Manager

Mark Thomas
09.2008 - 07.2022

Engineer in Training

Ingels-Braun & Associates
08.2003 - 05.2007

Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering

California State University, Fresno

Undergraduate Studies - Mathematics

California State University, Stanislaus

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Melissa Blau