The Position:
The City of Santa Clara is seeking to fill multiple Senior Civil Engineer positions to perform high-level civil engineering tasks to manage and support capital improvement projects. Projects can range across water, sewer, storm systems, public-right-of-way infrastructure, transportation infrastructure planning and implementation, parks and recreation facilities, and other city-owned infrastructure. Under direct supervision of the principal engineer or other manager, the Senior Civil Engineer will work independently as a hands-on contributor to the engineering team’s work and will be in charge of engineering, construction, maintenance, and related activities. Senior Civil Engineers also have responsibility for the quality and quantity of the work of an engineering unit, as well as other supervisory duties, as distinguished from the next lower level, Associate Civil Engineers, who generally have responsibility for projects.
The Departments:
Water and 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. For more information about the Water & Sewer Utilities Department, please visit the department website.
The City of Santa Clara's Water and Sewer Utilities Department seeks an experienced Senior Civil Engineer with excellent project management skills; strong oral and written communication skills; and a proven track record of designing and delivering utility projects and administering consultant and construction contracts. The qualified candidate will have experience working in a team environment on major construction projects, including working collaboratively with contractors, technicians, utility operations staff, outside agency staff, and the public. The Senior Civil Engineer delivers projects with widely varied scopes, from small, customer-focused, residential projects, to large, high-profile capital improvements with City and Region-wide implications for the delivery of services well into the future. An operator certificate in Water Distribution (D2 or above), Water Treatment (T2 or above), or Sewer Collection (C2 or above) is desirable.
Under direct supervision, the Senior Civil Engineer performs the following duties:
- Perform high-level, fast paced engineering work relating to the permitting, design and construction of water, sewer, and other utilities projects within the City.
- Review proposed public and/or commercial utilities projects for compliance with City, County, State and Federal government construction and environmental standards, design criteria, rules and regulations.
- Be a part of a dynamic small team of engineering professionals, working on delivering projects in the Water, Sewer, and Recycled Water Utilities through their entire project life cycle, including research and design, plan review, construction, operation and maintenance.
- Assist the Principal Engineer in the planning, organizing and management of the work of the Utilities Engineering Division.
- Perform technical and administrative tasks and exercise a high degree of independent judgment and decision making in resolving problems.
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 and businesses of Santa Clara, the development community, and other stakeholders 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. Currently, DPW has one (1) open position in the Design Division.
DESIGN DIVISION
The Design Division leads and manages capital improvement project delivery for a variety of City infrastructure projects related to transportation, roadways, pedestrians and bicycles, storm drains, sanitary sewers, buildings, libraries, public safety facilities, and parks to implement the City’s capital improvement program The division also manages capital improvement planning and programming related to pavement management, storm drain facilities, and sanitary sewer systems and also coordinates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency on the City’s Community Rating System (CRS) program to maintain or improve the City’s current Class 7 rating.
Under direct supervision of the Principal Engineer, the Senior Civil Engineer performs the following duties:
- Management and administration of projects from inception to award of construction contracts
- Preparation of budgets and cost monitoring related to CIP projects
- Procurement of consultant support services such as engineers and architects
- Management of technical programs such as Pavement Management, Sanitary Sewer Master Planning.
- Coordination with internal & external stakeholders
- Supervision and training of engineering staff
- Preparation of City Council agenda reports and engineering reports
FIELD SERVICES DIVISION
The Field Services Division provides construction management, construction inspection, materials testing, and surveying for capital improvement projects such as pavement rehabilitation, traffic signals, storm and sanitary sewers, parks, building improvements and other public improvements. The division also provides construction inspection and coordination for developer/utility/private construction of public improvements within the City’s right-of-way.
Under direct supervision of the Principal Engineer, the Senior Civil Engineer performs the following duties:
- Contract Administration
- Preparation of budgets and cost monitoring related to CIP projects
- Construction Management
- Labor Compliance Program Management
- Supervision and training of field construction activities and engineering staff
- Coordination of public works construction projects with residents and businesses
LAND & PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION
The Land & Property Development Division is responsible for providing efficient and effective engineering services to support private development projects during the entitlement, design, and construction phases. The division works closely with customers, developers, utility companies and the community to ensure projects comply with local, state and federal standards. The division is also responsible for reviewing and approving encroachment permits, easements, street/easement abandonments, subdivision maps, processing encroachment agreements, collecting development-related fees, and collaborating with other Public Works divisions, as well as other City departments throughout all project phases. Additionally, the division provides customer counter services to the general public at the City’s permit center.
Under direct supervision of the Principal Engineer, the Senior Civil Engineer performs the following duties:
- Reviewing plans submitted by private engineers and other public agencies for compliance with City standards and the City’s Engineering Design Criteria
- Coordination of engineering activities with other City departments and other public agencies having interest in the proposed work
- Supervision and training of engineering staff
- Preparation of City Council agenda reports and engineering reports
- Review of subdivision maps, easement documents, and other title documents
- Calculation and collection of development fees
- Management of the City’s Encroachment Permit Program
- Preparation and coordination of engineering conditions of approval for proposed development
- Distribution and presentation of technical information to other City departments and to the general public
TRAFFIC DIVISION
The Traffic Engineering Division provides traffic engineering, traffic impact analysis reviews, bicycle and pedestrian improvement planning, grant administration, and traffic signal maintenance and operation services for the City. The division also investigates resident/business inquiries related to street parking, traffic calming, intersection control, and bicycling and pedestrian travel on public streets. Finally, the 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.
Under direct supervision of the Transportation Manager, the Senior Civil Engineer performs the following duties:
- Preparation and management of preliminary, final design, and contract documents (plans, specifications, and cost estimates)
- Implementation of transportation plans and programs (i.e. Bicycle Master Plan, Pedestrian Master Plan, Complete Streets Policy, and Vision Zero)
- Completion of studies and analyses of traffic engineering projects or problems, and prepares technical reports
- Coordination of transportation related engineering activities with other City departments and other public agencies
- Preparation of budgets and cost monitoring related to projects
- Operation and management of the City’s traffic signals, intelligent transportation systems, and other traffic control devices.
- Development and implementation of traffic signal timing parameters and coordination timing plans
- Supervision and training of engineering staff
- Review of plans submitted by private engineers and other public agencies for compliance with City standards related to public transportation facilities and infrastructure
- Preparation and administration of grant funding applications and reports
- Conducting field and office work
- Supporting the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
- Working with the public and consultants on various projects and transportation related inquiries.
Additional Information:
Applications must be filled out completely (e.g. do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file.”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must also submit a Resume. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. Applications must be submitted by the filing deadline of Monday June 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
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.
The annual salary range for this position is $159,544.68 - $203,727.36. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.
Typical Duties:
Follow this link to view the entire Class Specification, which includes more information on Typical Duties and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
Minimum Qualifications:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
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)
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering office and field work performing professional level engineering work, and
Possible Substitutions
• A Master's Degree in any branch of Civil Engineering from an 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
• Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California is required at time of appointment and for duration of employment
• 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 Senior Civil Engineer prior to September 1, 2015 are waived of the required Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California
OTHER REQUIRMENTS
• 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
Candidates must attain a passing score on each phase of the examination process to qualify for the Eligible List. A department interview may 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.
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.
