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THE COMMUNITY

The City of Menlo Park is a thriving community with tree-lined neighborhoods, active commercial areas, spaces to enjoy the outdoors, and opportunities to engage in local activities. Located conveniently between the major metropolitan areas of San Francisco and San Jose, Menlo Park is home to just under 34,000 residents in its 19 square miles. The stunning natural surroundings of the city afford views of the San Francisco Bay to the east and the Pacific Coastal Range to the west. Menlo Park’s climate is moderate to warm, with an average of 265 sunny days a year.

Menlo Park’s residents reflect a range of backgrounds and interests, with a tendency toward being actively engaged in community life. The City’s close proximity to Stanford University and Menlo College provide a multitude of academic, cultural and athletic event opportunities. The City regularly hosts musical performances and cultural experiences at both the Burgess campus and the newly opened Belle Haven Community Campus. The Downtown, with its many eateries and unique shops, attracts locals and visitors alike. The Menlo Park Caltrain station also provides a convenient connection to the numerous arts and leisure activities in the San Francisco and San Jose areas.

Known worldwide as the “Capital of Venture Capital,” Menlo Park hosts many venture capital firms and is well situated to benefit from and help shape new technologies and markets originating from the Silicon Valley. Additionally, Menlo Park is host to numerous technology and healthcare related companies, including such major employers as Meta (formerly Facebook), SRI International, Pacific Biosciences, Exponent, Grail, CSBio, and Robinhood. For additional information, visit the City's website at: menlopark.gov.

THE ORGANIZATION

Incorporated in 1927, Menlo Park is a General Law city operating under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is the City’s five-member governing body whose members are elected by district for four-year overlapping terms in general municipal elections. The Mayor and Vice Mayor each serve one-year terms and are selected annually by the City Council.

The City Council appoints the City Manager and City Attorney as well as members of the Planning Commission and numerous advisory boards. The City Manager appoints all executive and management level positions. City staff report to one of six departments: City Manager’s Office, Administrative Services, Community Development, Library and Community Services, Police, and Public Works, which includes water and solid waste enterprises. Fire protection and sanitary services are provided by separate special districts.

The City is supported by 296 FTE and has over 55 funds with a total expenditure budget of $207.9 million. As evidence of the City’s sound financial stewardship and solid financial standing, Menlo Park consistently maintains an AAA bond rating, in large part due to its healthy reserves and diverse revenue base

 In addition to its many attributes, Menlo Park has one of the most beautiful civic center campuses in the Bay Area. Heritage trees, a running fountain and a duck pond surround City Hall. The campus also includes a nine-acre park, recreation facilities and the Menlo Park Library. These civic amenities make the campus a noted destination for residents, local employees and visitors. Conveniently located, the campus is a short walk to the Menlo Park Caltrain Station and the downtown district with numerous restaurants and shops.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Community Development Department is responsible for ensuring a sustainable and vibrant community that supports a high quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors. It is comprised of 35 FTE who operate as an effective and cohesive team across multiple functional areas and lead a number of City initiatives to support the City Council goals. The Department includes the Building, Planning and Housing Divisions, and core services include building permits, plan check, inspections, affordable housing administration and housing initiatives, as well as long-range planning and development review.

The Building Division, which is the division this position will be responsible for overseeing, includes managing building permit, plan check and inspection processes for compliance with all applicable State laws, local municipal codes and related policies involving building construction. These functions require a high level of customer service with the public and coordination within and across various departments and agencies. The Division issued approximately 1,700 building permits and conducted 10,000 building inspections in 2024. For additional budget information, visit menlopark.gov/budget.

THE POSITION

The City of Menlo Park is seeking a strong, forward-thinking leader who is collaborative and passionate about serving the community and advancing department and City goals. This position serves as the City’s Building Official, as well as plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for major functions, activities, and staff of the Building Division. The incumbent will assist with department initiatives, including annual budgeting and monitoring and the development and administration of departmental policies, procedures and services, as well as day-to-day operations, including reviewing plans, interpreting applicable code, and meeting with stakeholders to explain processes. Areas of responsibility include building and safety, permit processing and issuance, inspection and compliance with the California Building Standards Code and relevant parts of the City’s Municipal Code, and building plan check review.

This position plays a key role in collaborating and coordinating assigned activities with other City departments, teams, and outside agencies and fostering cooperative working relationships. The person in this role is also expected to have excellent rapport with the general public, with the ability to respond to, and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.

Current examples of notable projects include coordinating the upcoming California Building Standards Code cycle, collaborating on the IT Master Plan and land management permitting system (Accela) to improve customer experience and service delivery, and overseeing the building permit process for a diverse range of development from tenant improvements to hotels to comprehensive mixed-use campuses. The City has over 2,000 residential units, two hotels and more than 1.8 million square feet of commercial spaces approved, but not yet under construction, along with a number of large development projects currently under review. This position reports directly to the Community Development Director and is responsible for overseeing several positions within the Building Division across all functional areas.

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. 

San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department

The San Mateo Consolidated Fire Department commenced operations on January 13, 2019. The Fire Department is proud to serve the Cities of Belmont, Foster City and San Mateo as a Joint Powers Authority. The Department collectively has ten engines and two trucks operating out of nine fire stations.  There are 164 full-time employees assigned to one of the following divisions:  Administration, Community Risk Reduction, Training, Emergency Preparedness, Fire Operations and EMS.  The Department serves nearly 164,000 residents daily with a day-time population around 230,000.   Additionally, the department participates in a mutual aid program throughout the county, helping to serve a million people daily. The Department has a healthy collaborative atmosphere and encourages participation at all levels. For more information visit: www.smcfire.org.

 Proudly Serving the Communities of

 The City of Belmont

Belmont is home to approximately 27,000 residents.  Known for its wooded hills, views of the San Francisco Bay and stretches of open space, Belmont is a quiet residential community in the midst of the culturally and technologically rich Bay Area. For more information about the City, visit Belmont’s website at:  www.belmont.gov.

The City of Foster City

Foster City is home to approximately 33,000 residents and a wide array of industry, including some of the bay area’s elite businesses. Conveniently located midway between San Francisco and San Jose, Foster City prides itself on its well-planned neighborhoods, shopping centers, and a supreme quality of life. Foster City’s temperate climate, diverse cultural attractions, beautiful parks, excellent school district and unique waterfront setting offer a quality of life that is unsurpassed. For additional information about the City, visit Foster City’s website at: www.fostercity.org.

The City of San Mateo

San Mateo is a city of approximately 101,000 residents, strategically located midway between San Francisco and San Jose, and is within the Silicon Valley.  One of the City’s strengths is its diversity, both in the ethnic makeup and the physical development of the community.  San Mateo has a vibrant business and retail environment with national and international businesses, two major shopping centers and an active downtown.  The community values its historic and new residential neighborhoods and a recent major development added 1,500 new homes, 300,000 square feet of new retail and approximately 1.5 million square feet of commercial office space.  For additional information about the City, visit San Mateo’s website at: www.cityofsanmateo.org.

This job opportunity is continuous and application reviews are performed periodically.

San Mateo is a city of approximately 104,000 residents, strategically located midway between San Francisco and San Jose, and is within the Silicon Valley.  One of the City’s strengths is its diversity, both in the ethnic makeup and the physical development of the community.  San Mateo has a vibrant business and retail environment with national and international businesses, two major shopping centers and an active downtown.  The community values its historic and new residential neighborhoods and recently approved a major new Transit Oriented Development that will add 1,500 new homes, 300,000 square feet of new retail and as much as 1.5 million square feet of commercial office space.  

The City organization has a culture of innovation, collaboration and strong customer service.  The City’s annual budget is $191 million and is staffed by approximately 540 full time employees.  The City is continually evaluating new and innovative ways of providing high quality services to its residents while acknowledging the competing demands for the limited funds available. Find out more interesting facts at:  www.cityofsanmateo.org.

Look at some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work, https://youtu.be/_GTIzeSpc_g

The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a 15.7 MDG sub-regional facility that serves an estimated 164,545 customers  administering the annual operation and maintenance budget over $12.8 million with a staff of 34 professional and technical personnel.  The City of San Mateo is building a team tasked with the safe and continuous operation of the current expansion of this conventional activated sludge plant by introducing new facilities including; preliminary treatment, primary treatment, enhanced biological nutrient removal/membrane bioreactors (BNR/MBR), biological and chemically enhanced treatment (BioACTIFLO), and additional upgrades to existing process equipment. A vital and instrumental member of this team is the WWTP Operator III.

The Position

This position will receive general direction from the Chief Plant Operator and instruction from their Shift Supervisor to provide daily guidance to lower level operators and trainees. The WWTP Operator III will be responsible for supporting these efforts to guide, develop and mentor staff on their assigned shift, act in a supervisory capacity in the absence of the Shift Supervisor, and is the assigned lead in getting both scheduled and unscheduled work completed. Those who have prepared themselves and are ready for the challenge to use their skills as a journey-level wastewater professional should seriously consider this opportunity.

This position is assigned rotating shifts working nights, weekends, and holidays with on-call emergency response 24 hours per day.  However, along with this challenge is the benefit of working  a 12-hour shift that results in a very favorable work/life balance and requires the minimum commuting days as compared to other standard 8-hour shifts.

The Duties

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to the following.

Operate wastewater treatment facilities to control flow and processing of wastewater, sludge and effluent; monitor gauges, meters and control panels; observe variation in operating conditions, interpreting meter and gauge readings and test results to determine process requirements.

• Operate valves and gates; start and stop pumps, engines and electric motors to control and adjust flow and treatment processes; operate and maintain boilers; perform routine maintenance work on valves, tanks, related equipment and facilities to optimize performance.
• Maintain appropriate plant records to support water quality goals.
• Perform the duties of the Designated Operator-in-Charge when required in accordance with State regulations.
• Operate rolling vehicles and stationary machinery as required to perform essential job functions.
• Foster and maintain good working relationships and provide excellent customer service in the course of their work.
• Assist in the inventory, requisition, and purchase of supplies and materials.
• Supervise and train less experienced operators on assigned shift.