Supervising Civil Engineer

Under general direction, plans, schedules, assigns, reviews, and supervises the work of staff performing technical and professional duties within an engineering section/division of the Public Works Department; plans, coordinates, and oversees a comprehensive public works capital improvement program including management and oversight of design and construction for infrastructure improvement projects including roads, bridges, water systems, and/or sewer systems, or the review and approval of development plans and the issuance of permits including grading, encroachment, and transportation permits; provides complex technical assistance to management staff in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assigned management personnel. Exercises supervision over professional, technical, and administrative staff.

The job functions listed below are not inclusive or exclusive and are intended only as illustrations or examples of the various types of work that may be performed in various divisions/departments. Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.

• Leads, oversees, and participates in the work of staff providing professional engineering support to infrastructure design and construction as well as development plan and permit review; trains staff in work procedures; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Coordinates assigned services and operations with those of other divisions and outside agencies.
• Provides technical assistance to management; prepares and presents staff reports and other written materials; supervises the establishment and maintenance of reports, records, databases, and files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• As a licensed Professional Engineer, prepares, signs, seals, and submits engineering plans, specifications, and drawings for approval.
• Reviews and recommends approval of plans and specifications, designs, cost estimates, environmental documents, reports, and studies for all engineering projects.
• Authors and presents various technical documents including feasibility studies and reports which require engineering judgments and evaluations; prepares evaluation reports for various public works developments or projects.
• Oversees contracted services; evaluates proposals, negotiates contracts, and administers contracts to ensure compliance with County specifications, contract provisions, and service quality.
• Monitors, keeps abreast of, and communicates to staff changes in standards, codes, and regulations relevant to County engineering projects.
• Represents the County in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, consultants, contractors, developers, and the public.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs complex engineering tasks for the design, construction, and maintenance of public works projects.
• Maintains project records including change orders, pay estimates, as-built plans, and vendor invoices.
• Oversees and administers funding programs related to public works projects and ensures compliance with all funding program guidelines and requirements.
• Provides guidance to other departments, agencies, and consultants regarding various engineering design and construction codes and requirements.
• Reviews plans, specifications, and designs and comments on various development services projects for Engineering and both Water and Sewer Special Districts.
• Reviews and provides recommendations for development within the special district boundaries to public works management.
• Oversees district water improvement and compliance order projects; ensures compliance with State Water Resources Control Board and Regional Water Quality Control Board regulations for wastewater sewer districts within the County.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of public works infrastructure design and construction, development planning, and permit review.
• Public works contracting practices and procedures.
• Basic principles and practices of budget administration and monitoring.
• State, federal and other funding programs for public works improvement projects.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, consultants, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to the work performed.

Ability to:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Identify problems, research, and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solutions.
• Perform the most complex professional engineering work.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Conduct complex civil engineering projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound engineering decisions and recommendations, and prepare effective engineering technical reports.
• Review and select the most appropriate alternatives presented by consultants for environmental mitigation for projects.
• Review design documents, select alternatives, and identify and correct errors.
• Read complex construction plans and interpret them during construction.
• Understand, interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to the work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to the work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related engineering field and five (5) years of responsible, professional engineering experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate California driver's license.
• Possession of a valid registration as a Professional Engineer issued by the State of California.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

When working in an office environment:

• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.

When working in a field environment:

• Must possess mobility to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, and grasp; to climb and descend ladders; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, to work in confining spaces and around machines; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds, or heavier weight with the use of proper equipment and assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees predominately work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

The application review process will include screening to ensure applications are complete and meet all minimum qualifications. In addition to the application, the applicant is required to complete the Supplemental Questions to further evaluate their education, training, and experience relative to the required knowledge and abilities for the position. Applicants must submit answers that are as complete as possible.

Only the most qualified applicants, who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the examination process, which may be administered by a written examination, oral interview, or any combination of qualifications appraisal determined by the Department of Human Resources to be appropriate. The Department of Human Resources will make reasonable accommodation in the examination process for disabled applicants. If you have an accommodation request, please indicate such on your application.

Depending upon the number of applicants meeting the minimum qualifications, applicants may be scheduled for the assessment listed below. Passing score is 70% out of 100% on each assessment section.

THE APPRAISAL PANEL (100%) IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2025.

To move forward in the application process, you must complete an online application through our website All job postings are also included via the TDD phone at ... and the 24-hour job line at .... Please attach a copy of your unofficial transcripts (indicating when degree was awarded), licenses and certificates to your application or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may be uploaded but cannot be used in place of a completed application.

Those applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit a copy of their DD-214 form along with the application. Candidates who attain ranking on an eligible list and are involuntarily called to active duty may be considered for eligibility reinstatement upon their return.

Placement on Eligible List:

The Civil Service Commission may limit the number of qualified applicants eligible to participate in the examination process. If two or more candidates have the same total final score on an examination, they shall be ranked in order of their scores in that portion of the examination which has the greatest weight. The names of two or more eligibles having final ratings which are identical shall be grouped on the eligible list as tie names with equal rank for certification and appointment purposes.

Candidates who are successful in all phases of the examination process will be placed on an eligible list, in rank order based on a calculation of their total score from the examination process. The eligible list established by this recruitment will be active for a minimum of six (6) months or one (1) year, unless otherwise determined by the Director pursuant to section 6-4 (b) and may be extended for up to an additional year by the Commission.