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ASSISTANT, ASSOCIATE CIVIL ENGINEER

 Assistant Civil Engineer FY 25/26 $92,192.92 - $125,397.85

Assistant Civil Engineer FY 26/27 $94,957.68 - $129,159.78

Assistant Civil Engineer FY 27/28 $97,806.41 - $133,034.58

Associate Civil Engineer $115,452- $135,396

Plus Excellent Benefits

 Are you looking for a place to grow and develop your engineering skills, to have the opportunity to do meaningful work, and serve your community?  Come join us! 

Located in San Mateo County just twelve miles south of San Francisco, Pacifica feels worlds away from it, yet is easily accessible from Highway 1.  The most panoramic coastal town in the San Francisco Bay Area, Pacifica is famous for its six miles of scenic coastline, classic northern California beaches, breathtaking vistas, and charming ambience.  The city is nestled in between small valleys, with Sweeney Ridge to the east, Montara Mountain to the south and the Pacific Ocean’s rocky bluffs and sandy beaches to the west.  Pacifica encompasses roughly 12.6 square miles, of which, approximately one-half is publicly owned open space.  Numerous cities, county and state parks provide panoramic views and a feeling of spaciousness rarely found in suburban areas. Several miles of coastal and ridge top trails tie Pacifica to neighboring communities.

This natural connecting point of beaches, headlands and hills provides a wide range of recreational opportunities from surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, scuba diving and paragliding, to hiking, whale and bird watching and cycling. Pacifica’s one-quarter mile fishing pier is considered to be one of the best in the state and is ranked number one by anglers in the Bay area. Other recreational amenities include golf, bowling, archery and team sports. Pacifica’s natural beauty is enhanced by its Mediterranean style weather.

With a population of approximately 40,000, Pacifica is a unique family-oriented coastal community that prides itself on fostering a “small town” feel. Many of Pacifica’s residents are highly engaged and involved in the community. Pacifica has excellent elementary and secondary schools, both public and private, and was recently named one of the Top 100 Safest Cities in America by Location, Inc. The City was also awarded the League of California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence for the restoration of Linda Mar Beach and the reclamation of the wetlands in that area.

The community enjoys a diverse economic base and has a significant number of smaller businesses. Tourism is especially important to Pacifica’s economy with thousands of people annually attracted to its beaches, vistas, and open space. Unique shops and a variety of lodging are available with restaurants offering relaxing sunset and coastal viewing. For live local theater and performing arts, Pacifica Spindrift Players is a local and popular favorite, along with Pacifica Performances, which regularly provide both musical presentations and performing arts as well. The world-class bromeliad nursery, Shelldance Orchid Gardens, is located just off Highway 1. Pacifica plays host to the Pacific Coast Fog Festival each September, which showcases everything from artists and performers to children’s activities and a hometown parade.

Pacifica is a place where one can step into the natural world and enjoy a variety of recreational offerings, sample a cultural arts performance or gallery opening, and later relax at a local restaurant and bask in a spectacular sunset. Pacifica’s rich cultural heritage and unique personality make it a community worth uncovering.

To learn more about the City of Pacifica, please visit City of Pacifica.

THE ORGANIZATION

The City of Pacifica is a General Law City incorporated in 1957 and operates under the Council/Manager form of government. Legislative authority is vested in a five-member City Council elected by district for four-year overlapping terms. The Mayor is selected each year by a majority vote of the other Council members. The Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and members of advisory commissions and committees.

Pacifica is a full-service city (approximately 188 FTE) with a proposed FY 2023/24 general fund budget of $40.1M. The City delivers municipal services through seven departments: the City Manager’s office (including the City Clerk, Economic Development, and contract City Attorney); Administrative Services (Finance, Human Resources and IT Divisions); Parks, Beaches, and Recreation; Planning; Public Works (Field Services & Engineering and Wastewater); Police; and Fire (via North County Fire Authority). Employees are represented by eight bargaining units.

Each year the City Council convenes in advance of the new fiscal year to review and amend as necessary City Council goals, and to develop a list of priorities to be implemented in the upcoming fiscal year to fulfill the goals. In Spring 2023, over the course of three public meetings, the Pacifica City Council undertook a comprehensive strategic planning process instead of its annual goal-setting process. Beginning with identifying Mission, Vision, and Values statements for the organization, followed by identifying goals that represent those statements and strategies to fulfill those goals, the Pacifica City Council developed this 2023 to 2030 Strategic Plan.

• Enhance organizational and fiscal stability.
• Improve and steward City infrastructure, streets and facilities.
• Prioritize protection and development of affordable housing.
• Pursue climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• Broaden public communications and collaboration.

THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
The Public Works Department is organized into two Divisions: Field Services/Engineering and Wastewater.  The City has two Deputy Director positions, one that is responsible for Field Services/Engineering and the other that is responsible for Wastewater.  This position would be responsible for the Field Services/Engineering Division of Public Works, with a key emphasis on delivery of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).  The Field Services section maintains parks, buildings, playing field and medians and keeps streets and trails clean and well-maintained.  Additionally, Field Services coordinates the tree program, cleans beaches and maintains the city’s storm drain system. The Engineering section implements the city’s CIP related to streets, roads, storm drains, facilities and coastal projects.  Additionally, the Engineering section pursues grants, manages consultants, reviews development projects and oversees the construction of the CIP and development within the City’s right of way. 

The Principal Civil Engineer will work under general direction, to direct, manage, supervise the Engineering Division; to perform highly complex professional engineering work; to plan, director, and supervise a variety of engineering projects and programs; and to conceptualize, develop, design, and implement all phases of difficult design and engineering research projects, to supervise and review the work professional and technical staff engaged in the preparation and/or review of plans, specifications, maps, designs, estimates, and inspections of capital improvement, construction, development and maintenance projects; coordinate the work of Engineering Division with the rest of Public Works.  

The Public Works Department is supported by 56 Full-Time staff and an operating budget of $21 million, along with FY2023-24 CIP appropriation of $26 million. The Engineering Division has an annual operating budget of $5 million, along with a FY2023-24 CIP appropriation of $18.5 million and is supported by 28 full-time staff. The Principal Civil Engineer reports to the Deputy Director of Public Works.

Public Works Department Values

Show Support

-              Include everyone; respect, listen to and appreciate others

-              Build strong relationships, be a team player

-              Develop ourselves and mentor and develop others

-              Collaborate and work together effectively as one team

Build Trust

-              Communicate clearly, concisely, and candidly

-              Make sound decisions using facts and data

-              Hold ourselves and others accountable for delivering results

-              Show initiative, courage, and integrity

Maintain a Positive Culture

-              Deal positively with residents, businesses, other departments, and each other

-              Have a can do, find a way attitude and emotional resilience

-              Have a continuous improvement philosophy and practice

-              Enjoy the journey and have fun – never at others’ expense

BASIC EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develop, plan, and implement goals and objectives of the Public Works Engineering Capital Improvement Projects; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Supervise, coordinate, and review all Public Works engineering activities including engineering design, construction inspection and surveying, as well as contract administration.
• Develop a cohesive team working atmosphere between city staff and contract staff. Establish design guideline parameters to meet regulatory requirements and the goals of the program for the benefit of the customers served.
• Participate in the development and administration of the Capital Improvement Program projects. Forecast annual funding needed for construction, staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies to complete the Capital Improvement Program. Monitor and approve capital improvement expenditures and implement mid-year budget adjustments.
• Determine scope of engineering projects, review plans of private developers and contractors, make technical engineering decisions and establish technical criteria and standards.
• Ensure that quality assurance and quality control plans are in place and being followed for engineering work. Verify computations, plans, specifications, and estimates for Public Works projects, review engineering drawings, and land record maps.
• Attend and participate in meetings and conferences, make project presentations to the City Council and other City commissions and committees, City administrators, public officials, professional organizations, contractors, County, Regional and State regulatory agencies regarding matters relating to areas of assigned responsibilities.
• Prepare a variety of budgets, reports, correspondence, and special studies.

The duties described in this job announcement are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. 

This recruitment is open until filled.

The City
The City of Santa Clara is a "full service" city – one of only a few communities in the Bay Area that has its own police, fire, library, recreation, and electric, water, and sewer utilities, as well as all of the other departments and civic amenities expected in a thriving community. Santa Clara is a family-oriented and business-friendly city, led by a city government that has developed an award-winning ethics program and a commitment to fostering public trust. Located in Santa Clara County at the southern tip of San Francisco Bay, about 45 miles south of San Francisco, Santa Clara is a strategic regional hub, with convenient access to freeways, airports, railroads, expressways, light rail, and other public transportation.  

The Position
This announcement is for two (2) positions as described below:
 
Department of Public Works
The City of Santa Clara's Department of Public Works seeks a results-oriented and innovative engineer to serve out the Department's mission to provide the highest quality public works services to the residents of Santa Clara, the development community, and our customers in a responsible and efficient manner. The Department has focus areas that include Engineering Services and Operations and Maintenance. Engineering Services is comprised of five divisions: Administration, Traffic, Design, Land and Property Development, and Field Services. Operations and Maintenance include public roadways, parkways and boulevards, City trees, street sweeping, environmental programs, storm drain systems, fleet, solid and mixed waste/recyclables, and City facilities. For more information about the Department of Public Works please visit the department website.

The Traffic Engineering Division provides traffic engineering (technical support for the design and construction of both City and private development projects), traffic impact analysis reviews for private development projects and transportation projects, bicycle and pedestrian improvement planning, grant administration, and traffic signal maintenance and operation services for the City. The division receives and investigates resident/business inquiries related to street parking, traffic calming, intersection control (i.e signals, beacons, and crosswalks), and bicycling and pedestrian travel on public streets. The investigations may involve interaction with the residents, field review, traffic data collection, and evaluation of collected information with established city policies to prepare engineering recommendations for possible improvements. The division also focuses on multi-modal planning and implementation specifically related to the goals and projects included with the City’s Bicycle Plan,  Pedestrian Masterplan, and the City’s Complete Streets policy. Finally, this division coordinates with other agencies such as the Valley Transportation Authority, County of Santa Clara Roads and Airports, Caltrans,
 and the cities of San Jose, Cupertino, and Sunnyvale related to projects, programs, and grant opportunities. Experience in customer service, traffic design and construction, transportation planning, and project management and delivery is essential to success in this position.

Under direct supervision, the Associate Engineer (Civil) performs field and office work, reviews and approves designs for traffic control, traffic improvement, and private development related public improvements, administers grants, provides technical assistance in the implementation of transportation plans and programs (i.e. Bicycle Master Plan, Pedestrian Master Plan, Complete Streets Policy), supports the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and will work with the public and consultants on various projects and transportation related inquiries.[CM1] 

 

Water & Sewer Utilities Department
Santa Clara Water & Sewer Utilities' mission is to provide customers a dependable supply of safe, potable water, environmentally-sound wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. Furthermore, recycled water is offered for approved uses including irrigation and industrial processes, where available. Programs and services are designed and implemented with economic and environmental benefits in mind. The City of Santa Clara's Water & Sewer Utilities Department seeks an engineer with excellent project management skills; strong oral and written communication skills; a proven record of preparing and administering consultant contracts and agreements; experience preparing construction documents; experience designing, managing, maintaining and/or operating water, recycled water and sanitary sewer utilities; experience reviewing land development projects; experience working in a team environment on major construction projects, including working collaboratively with contractors, technicians, field staff, outside agency staff, and the general public. For more information about the Water & Sewer Utilities Department, please visit the department website.

Under direct supervision, the Associate Engineer (Civil) performs high-level, fast paced engineering work relating to the permitting, design and construction of water, recycled water,  and sewer projects within the City. In addition, the Associate Engineer prepares construction documents such as improvement plans, specifications, estimates and schedules for water and sewer projects. As well as procures consultant and construction contracts for the design and construction of water and sewer projects including the preparation of requests for proposals (RFP), administration of the bidding and awarding process, preparation of Council agenda items, and administration of the consultant and construction contracts. This incumbent will review new developments and proposed public and/or commercial utilities improvement projects for compliance with City, County, State and Federal government regulations and standards. The Associate Engineer is expected to plan, organize, and prioritize a diverse workload of projects and tasks including technical and administrative tasks, and exercise independent judgment and decision making in resolving problems.

 

THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT. MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS.  ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW. 

 

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from a college or university that is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET)
• Two (2) years of experience in civil engineering office and field work.

Possible Substitutions:
• A Master's Degree in any branch of Civil Engineering from an ABET accredited college or University may be substituted for one (1) year of experience

LICENSES & CERTIFICATION
• Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license is required at time of appointment and for duration of employment
• Possession of a State of California Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) Certificate or Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California is required at time of appointment and for duration of employment
• Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California is desirable
• Other licenses and certificates directly related to the Civil Engineering field (e.g. Geotechnical Engineer, Traffic Engineer, Structural Engineer, Land Surveyor, Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Developer (QSD), Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan Practitioner (QSP))is desirable
• Current city employees appointed to Associate Engineer (Civil) prior to September 1, 2015 are waived of the required State of California Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) Certificate or Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California

OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Must be able to perform all of the essential functions of the job assignment.
• May be required to work shifts, weekends, and odd and unusual hours in the performance of duties and emergency situations.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Incumbents assigned to the Field Services position are required to file a Conflict of Interest statement upon assuming office, annually, and upon leaving office, in accordance with City Manager Directive 100.

 

Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview will be required prior to appointment.

 

Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.  

  

PERMANENT CITY EMPLOYEES PREFERENCE POINTS: Current permanent employee candidates who receive a passing score on the examination will have an additional five (5) points added to their final score.

 

 

Additional Information: 

You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applications must be filled out completely (i.e. do not write “see resume or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a 1) Cover Letter and, 2) Resume. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. This recruitment is open until filled.

The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.