Location
Description
DEFINITION:
Under administrative direction from the City Engineer, supervises the day to day responsibilities of the Engineering Division; performs professional civil engineering design work; handles work processes associated with functions assigned to the division; performs related duties as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISITICS:
The Principal Civil Engineer is a management-level classification within the Public Works Department’s Engineering Division. Incumbents direct engineering operations, staff, and/or consultants within assigned program areas – including capital improvement projects, development and permitting, traffic and transportation, and stormwater management – to support the achievement of division goals. The work requires a high degree of independence, initiative, and sound judgment in applying established policies and broad guidelines.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (illustrative only):
- Plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the work of professional and technical engineering staff.
- Assists in preparation of budget requests for division and monitors expenditures; screens and selects staff, supervises, trains and prepares performance evaluations for professional and technical staff, and recommends salary increases.
- Reviews non-routine projects submitted to the division and determines processing requirements, schedules, order of priority, possible problem areas, and assigns necessary related tasks to staff members, noting any special treatment to be given.
- Periodically reviews progress of staff on assigned projects and checks completed work products including reports, engineering designs, and completeness of construction inspections for final approval by the City Engineer.
- Participates in the selection of consulting engineers, negotiates fees, drafts agreements, outlines project objectives and City requirements, provides project management such as administration of related contracts, and reviews and recommends approval of engineering designs.
- Conducts field inspections of projects in progress; negotiates and recommends approval of contract change orders which cannot be handled by subordinates; authorizes changes in planned construction when warranted by field conditions.
- Assists in preparation of operating budget for Engineering Division and participates in budget review conferences; assists in preparation of capital improvement budget for City’s proposed construction programs.
- Reviews capital needs, arranges for cost estimates, and recommends priorities.
- Supervises the processing of encroachment into the public right of way and assists in the plans, development contracts and special agreements, and meets with developers, engineers, and representatives of public and private agencies to resolve problems.
- Under the direction of the City Engineer, administers all aspects of assessment district formation including coordination with involved parties, review of plans and specifications, and preparation of related reports.
- Conducts or directs special studies as required; oversees and participates in review of all private development proposals including subdivision maps; supervises the preparation, updating, and maintenance of city maps and records.
- Attends meetings and makes presentations and serves as support staff to City Council, City Planning Commission, and other public and private groups as required by the City of Union City Engineer.
- Act as the City Engineer in their absence.
Ideal Candidate
QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Graduation from a four (4) -year college with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering,
AND
Substantial public works-related engineering experience which would include at least four (4) years at a level equivalent to the City’s Engineer III or an Associate Civil Engineer
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Two (2) years of supervisory responsibility
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge Of:
- Engineering principles, programs procedures, practices, forms, and techniques pertinent to assigned functions of the Engineering Division, which may include capital improvement projects, development and permitting, traffic and transportation, and stormwater management.
- Principles of supervision; materials, practices, and methods employed in the construction of streets, parks, and other public works.
- Applicable laws, codes, and regulations governing the formation of assessment districts and public works construction.
- Public sector budgeting practices.
Ability To:
- Apply engineering principles.
- Prepare and present clear and concise written and verbal reports.
- Communicate effectively with City department, UC Transit and Public Works staff, engineers, developers, contractors, property owners and the general public.
- Supervise, schedule, coordinate, monitor and evaluate work of subordinate staff.
- Use computer systems and software applications effectively to perform work
LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Possession of a valid California Driver’s License and have a satisfactory driving record.
Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State of California Board of Registration for Civil Engineers.
WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
The City of Union City is an equal opportunity employer. The City of Union City will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Travel: Positions in this class may require local and statewide travel as necessary.
Benefits
Retirement: CalPERS enrollment in either 2%@60 (Classic Employees) or the new 2%@62 (New Employees) formula is dependent on the individual’s eligibility, as per AB 340. The City does not participate in Social Security therefore there are no Social Security tax deductions (except 1.45% Medicare).
Life Insurance: Premium is paid by the City. Life insurance and AD&D is equal to $100,000 each. Long-term and short-term disability insurance premium shared by the City and employee. Additional voluntary supplemental life insurance is available.
Medical/Dental/Vision: The City provides the employee up to $2,000 per month after the employee’s initial monthly contribution of $182 to purchase medical, dental and vision benefits.
Deferred Compensation Plan: The City contributes $100/mo. into a 401(a) tax-deferred plan on behalf of the employee upon minimum employee contribution of 2%. A 457 Deferred Comp Plan and a ROTH IRA are also available on a voluntary basis.
Leave: The City will provide the employee with 70 hours of administrative leave annually (prorated based on hire date). Employees shall accrue 3.08 hours of vacation leave per pay period limited to two times their maximum annual accrual rate plus 160 hours per year. Employees shall accrue 3.69 hours of sick leave per pay period without limit on accumulation.
Holidays: 10 days and 3 floating holidays per year.
Special Instructions
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Application and resume should be completed on-line via the CalOpps website by 5:00 PM PST on May 31, 2026.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Application and resume will be reviewed and evaluated using, in part, the criteria contained in this brochure.
The selection process may consist of one or more of the following components: a written exam, an oral interview, and medical exam. Only a limited number of persons whose application materials clearly demonstrate that they meet the needs of the City in terms of training, experience, education, and other job related characteristics will be invited to participate in the selection process. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.
Applicants who are invited to continue in the selection process will be notified by e-mail. Successful candidates’ names will be placed on an employment eligibility list. The eligibility list will remain in effect for a minimum of one year from the date the list is established. Additional vacancies that occur for this classification may be hired from the list.
The City of Union City provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities, upon request. Please contact the Human Resources Department if you will need reasonable accommodation for any aspect of the selection process.
The City of Union City is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce.