Mid-Valley Engineering hires the best, expects the most, rewards hard work
July 30, 2006

By HEIDI HOWELL
SPECIAL TO SUNDAY JOBS

Last Updated: July 30, 2006, 03:44:00 AM PDT

When Mid-Valley Engineering Inc. (MVE) opened its doors 37 years ago, its main focus was providing engineering services throughout the San Joaquin Valley. In 1996, Kirk and Cathy DeLaMare purchased the firm and aggressively expanded it into a full-service "land development solutions" company with three locations and more than 120 employees serving 11 Western states.

Photos by Bill Harris

With two offices in Modesto and one in Stockton, MVE specializes in comprehensive project management of master-planned communities and commercial, industrial and public projects of up to 20,000 acres. Projects are taken from raw, unentitled land through the groundbreaking phase, with MVE providing urban design, land planning, entitlements, engineering, surveying and construction staking. Recently, a complete marketing, graphic design and public relations division was added.

For the past three years, the company has ranked among the nation's best civil engineering firms to work for by CE News - a key publication among civil engineers. In addition, MVE was ranked No. 48 out of the 100 fastest growing architectural, engineering and environmental consulting firms in America for 2006 (up from 54th place in 2005) by industry consulting, research and media company, ZweigWhite.

"The softening real estate market presents challenges to all businesses whose livelihood is rooted in land development, but our workload remains steady and we've even continued to grow," says Kirk DeLaMare, president and chief executive officer of MVE. "We do this by thinking proactively, planning strategically, hiring the best staff and providing a caliber of service that attracts the best clients and projects."

MVE plans to hire about 35 people this year. Openings include five California-licensed civil engineers, three senior civil designers, four landscape architects/urban designers, four project managers and five survey party chiefs. DeLaMare says there is an especially high demand for qualified civil engineers. Here's a brief sampling of open positions:

Senior project manager/construction coordinator, works on plans for a new shopping center, the Ripon Plaza.

• Senior civil engineer and assistant civil engineer. Provides project management and engineering services for commercial, industrial and residential developments and assists in leading the design team.

• Senior and junior designers. Performs civil engineering design on land development projects, including streets, storm drains, sewers, etc. Prepares hydrology, hydraulic and other technical reports.

• Landscape architect/urban designer. Assists in production related to existing and proposed landscape architecture, streetscape, transportation planning, theming and monumentation for master-planned communities and land development projects.

Senior planner oversees the planning of a mixed-use community that will encompass more than 2,000 acres when completed. MVE takes projects from raw, unentitled land through the groundbreaking phase by providing urban design, land planning, entitlements, engineering, surveying and construction staking.

• Project manager and assistant project manager. Provides project management for land planning through engineering services. Works with clients, subconsultants and municipalities on commercial, industrial and residential developments.

Senior party chief, surveys land in Riverbank where a new school will be built.

• Survey party chief. Successful candidates will have a minimum of two to five years of experience leading survey crews as well as familiarity with boundary, topographic and ALTA (American Land Title Association) surveys, GPS (global positioning systems) and construction staking.

DeLaMare says that while education and credentials are important, "more significant are a strong work ethic, character, integrity, a positive attitude and the willingness to dig in and do what needs to be done."

It's safe to say that at MVE, where much is given, much is expected. Because MVE is committed to providing the highest quality work in a timely manner, expectations and standards are high: an average workday is nine or more hours. However, employees are self-motivated, energetic and team-oriented - and are amply rewarded for their efforts with salaries higher than industry standards and generous benefits, DeLaMare says.

Employees enjoy paid medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k) matching, profit sharing, six weeks of time off, a health club membership and frequent social events. These benefits, along with advanced training, and the opportunity to work on high-profile projects, help create a sense of pride and loyalty among employees.

The company promotes from within, providing many opportunities for advancement.

The DeLaMares operate under three core objectives: "To make our firm recession-proof, to properly reward employees for their effort and to not stand in the way of the natural progression of growth," DeLaMare explains. "We work hard and we play hard - creating an atmosphere of teamwork, common goals and camaraderie."

"Our staff is like family," notes Cathy DeLaMare, senior vice president/corporate secretary. She says the atmosphere is one of mutual respect where everyone understands their role and pulls together to assure success. "We always want our employees to shine," Kirk DeLaMare adds. "My philosophy is, 'If you want to run the company, go for it!'"

For more detailed job descriptions, credentialing requirements and to apply online, please visit www.mve.net, or apply in person at 200 West Roseburg Ave., Suite B2, Modesto.