Assistant/Associate/Associate Civil Engineer

There is currently one vacancy in the Department of Public Work’s Design and Construction Section. This recruitment will also be used to fill future vacancies in either the Design and Construction or Utilities and Watershed Protection sections.

About the role

The Assistant/Associate/Associate Civil Engineer will perform AutoCAD/Civil3D work and contribute to Public Works infrastructure projects, including roads, drainage, retaining walls, bridges, sewer systems, and other public facilities. Responsibilities span planning, designing, preparing construction bid documents, overseeing field construction activities, and inspecting public works infrastructure. The role may also involve managing outside grants for Public Works facilities.

• Assistant Engineer is the entry-level classification, performing first-level professional civil engineering work under immediate supervision while acting in a trainee capacity. This role is flexibly staffed with the Associate Engineer level, allowing advancement after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency.
• Associate Engineer is the journey-level classification, responsible for routine office or field projects with full competency to perform duties requiring technical expertise and occasional supervisory responsibilities. Employees may serve as resident engineers on smaller, less complex construction projects.
• Associate Civil Engineer is the registered journey-level classification, requiring a high degree of technical expertise and periodic lead responsibilities. Under general supervision, incumbents perform professional engineering tasks in planning, design, traffic engineering, and construction inspection for public works projects. They may also provide lead direction to other staff on complex projects and perform field work.

Note: Assistant/Associate Civil Engineer differs from Associate Civil Engineer in that the latter requires registration as a Professional Engineer in California and may lead projects of greater complexity.

Ideal candidate profile

• Technically knowledgeable in civil engineering principles, public works design, construction, and maintenance.
• Effective communicator, both orally and in writing, capable of representing the County in meetings and presentations to property owners, community groups, regulatory agencies, and the public.
• Customer-focused with strong interpersonal skills for interacting with staff, engineers, contractors, and the public, including coordination with law enforcement and emergency responders.
• Able to provide information to the public and agencies regarding County procedures, facility locations, plan requirements, and property ownership, including interpreting policies.
• Skilled in development plan reviews and preparing plan review comments.
• Proficient in interpreting and addressing environmental regulations.
• Able to analyze alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare concise technical reports.
• Accountable, capable of managing assignments independently.
• Experienced in designing public works projects such as road improvements, bridges, drainage, flood control, parks facilities, water treatment/distribution, and sanitary sewer systems.
• Experienced with AutoCAD/Civil3D or similar computer-aided drafting software.

For Assistant Engineer, possession of an Engineer in Training Certificate is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as resident engineer on routine construction projects.
• Prepare designs, plans, and specifications for projects.
• Draft and prepare bid instructions, proposals, affidavits, bonds, specifications, change orders, and other construction documents.
• Gather, compile, and compute data using engineering and drafting tools to prepare designs, estimates, reports, and specifications.
• Supervise subordinate personnel in various capacities.
• Inspect construction projects for conformance with specifications, safety standards, and regulations.
• Conduct cost and quantity estimates for assigned projects.
• Manage and coordinate with consultants.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Requirements

Licensure/Certification

• Candidates for Associate Civil Engineer must possess a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in California at the time of hire.
• Some positions require a Class C California driver license or equivalent.

Education and Experience

Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Typical qualifications include:

• Assistant Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or 24 semester units in civil engineering courses plus three years of civil engineering experience or possession of an Engineer in Training Certificate.
• Associate Engineer: Two years of professional civil engineering experience, including field and office work in planning, design, construction, and maintenance of civil engineering projects.
• Associate Civil Engineer: In addition to the Professional Engineer registration, two years of professional civil engineering experience in field and office work.

Knowledge

• Civil engineering practices, procedures, design, and construction methods.
• Strength, properties, and uses of materials and hydraulics.
• Civil engineering design and drafting principles.
• Surveying methods and techniques.
• Methods, materials, and equipment used in civil engineering projects and construction.
• Construction inspection techniques.
• Hydraulics and strength of materials.
• Engineering principles applicable to public works projects.
• Engineering mathematics and their application to problems.

Skills/Abilities

• Inspect civil engineering work in progress.
• Prepare clear, concise correspondence and reports.
• Comply with safety procedures.
• Supervise subordinate staff.
• Perform engineering calculations and routine design work.
• Solve surveying problems.
• Prepare accurate maps, drawings, notes, and reports.

Pay

• Assistant Engineer: $105,331.20 – $131,601.60 annually.
• Associate Engineer: $124,592.00 – $155,750.40 annually.
• Associate Civil Engineer: $139,464.00 – $174,324.80 annually.