About NJSME
The New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers is a non-profit organization established in 1929 to advance and improve the practice of Municipal Engineering in the State of New Jersey. The society strives to provide others with information and experiences relative to improved methods, theories and practices. We encourage high professional standards and the improvement of the professional and social status and welfare of our members. NJSME discourages any influence of party politics in the selection and retention of Municipal Engineers or in the efficient and professional administration of this office.
Engineers are individuals who combine knowledge of science, mathematics, and economics to solve technical problems that confront society, to practical ends, such as in the design, construction and operation of structures and infrastructures. Engineers concentrate on using, improving or protecting the natural environment as it benefits human kind, and are dedicated to solutions. They are excellent problem solvers by education, training and practice. Civil Engineering is the broad field that deals with the planning, construction, and maintenance of structures or public works, as they relate to earth, water, or civilization and their processes. Most civil engineering today deals with roads, traffic controls, structures, water supply, sewers, flood control, and other remedial environmental solutions. Where elaborate contracts laws have governed the bidding, award and construction of costly infrastructure projects, the civil engineer has developed as a contracting specialist. A Professional Engineer is the term for registered or licensed engineers in the United States. Municipal responsibilities often include land use controls via local Planning, Zoning, and Construction Boards in addition to traditional infrastructure and capital program management functions. A “Municipal, City or County Engineer” is that person duly authorized as agent of the governing body acting within the scope of its authority, for the purposes of administering the multiple designated civil engineering functions within a governments jurisdiction. The designated functions are often as broad as the field itself, identifying the Municipal Engineer as a versatile employee who can solve increasing numbers of problems confronting local government.
The New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers has brought together several education and training programs which also define key areas of responsibilities. Recently, the topics covered have included : Local Governments in New Jersey, Local Finance and Asset Management, Public Contracts Laws, Construction Contracts, Construction Inspection, Municipal Infrastructures, Design and Maintenance of Roads, Bridges, Stormwater Collection and Detention Systems, Sanitary Sewer Collection and Treatment Systems, Potable Water Treatment, Pumping and Distribution Systems, Gas/Electric Utilities and the One Call System for Underground Facilities Protection, Land Use Laws, Land Use Operations, Planning and Zoning Boards of Adjustment, Construction Permits Operations, Public Works Maintenance Operations, and several other important areas of involvement. The Society will constantly improve these presentation areas to the benefit of membership.
As far as State Law defining the Municipal Engineer, there are term limits under 40A:9-140 but specific work area definitions remain under the professional Societies and Boards. Administrators, Clerks, Finance Officers, or Attorneys are other officials in local government which have specific distinction in the law. Therefore, in New Jersey, "Municipal Engineer" means the official licensed “professional engineer” appointed by the proper authority of the municipality. The term "Professional Engineer" shall mean a person who is qualified to practice professional engineering and as attested by his license as a professional engineer as provided by subsection a. of section 2 of P.L.1938, c.342 (C.45:8-28) means a person who is legally authorized to practice professional engineering in this State in accordance with the provisions of P.L.1938, c.342 (C.45:8-27 et seq.). Furthermore, the term "Professional Engineer'' shall mean a person who by reason of his special knowledge of the mathematical and physical sciences and the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design, acquired by professional education and practical experience, is qualified to practice engineering as hereinafter defined as attested by his license as a professional engineer. The terms "practice of engineering'' or "professional engineering'' shall mean any service or creative work, the adequate performance of which, requires engineering education, training, and experience and the application of special knowledge of the mathematical, physical and engineering sciences to such services or creative work as consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning and design of engineering works and systems, planning the use of land and water, engineering studies, and the administration of construction for the purpose of determining compliance with drawings and specifications; any of which embraces such services or work, either public or private, in connection with any engineering project including: utilities, structures, buildings, machines, equipment, processes, work systems, projects, telecommunications, or equipment of a mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or thermal nature, insofar as they involve safeguarding life, health or property, and including such other professional services as may be necessary to the planning, progress and completion of any engineering services. The design of buildings by professional engineers shall be consistent with section 7 of the ""Building Design Services Act.'' P.L.1989, c. 277.