Assistant/Associate/Associate Civil Engineer (Open and Promotional) (20682579)

Description

The Department of Public Works of the County of San Mateo is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Assistant/Associate/Associate Civil Engineer. 
 
There is currently one vacancy in the Department of Public Works - Utilities and Watershed Protection Section. This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies in Utilities and Watershed Protection Section.

Utilities and Watershed Protection
The Utilities and Watershed Protection Section oversees 30 Special Districts that include flood control, drainage, domestic water, sanitary sewer, and street lighting. The primary responsibilities of the position include the design and management of various capital improvement projects from the conceptual stage to construction close-out, supporting utility operations, monitoring of regulatory requirements, preparing reports and analysis, reviewing development plans, responding to public inquiries. Additional duties include assisting with the day-to-day operational tasks of administering these Districts.

Assistant Engineer is the entry or trainee level class of this series. Under immediate supervision employees perform first level professional civil engineering field and office work while acting in a trainee capacity in connection with the planning, design, construction and maintenance of a wide variety of civil engineering projects. This class is flexibly staffed with Associate Engineer and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating necessary proficiency.
 
Associate Engineer is the journey level job classification and is responsible for routine office or field projects. Employees are expected to be fully competent to independently perform a full range of duties requiring a high level of technical expertise, and some periodic supervisory responsibilities. Employees may also serve as a resident engineer on smaller, less complex construction projects.
 
Associate Civil Engineer is the registered journey level classification in the engineering series. At this level, a high degree of technical expertise and some periodic lead responsibilities are required. Under general supervision, incumbents may perform a variety of professional engineering tasks in such areas as planning, design, traffic engineering & operations and construction inspection of roads, park trails, bridges, drainage, sanitary sewer systems, water supply, and other public works projects. Associate Civil Engineers may provide lead direction to other staff in completing projects of greater difficulty and complexity. Incumbents will be required to perform field work in support of the planning, design, and/or construction inspection of public works projects.
 
NOTE: Assistant/Associate Civil Engineer differs from the Associate Engineer classification in that Associate Civil Engineers are registered as professional engineers in the State of California and may provide lead direction to other staff in completing projects of greater difficulty and complexity.

The salary range for Assistant Engineer is $100,318.40- $125,340.80 annually.
The salary range for Associate Engineer is $118,664.00- $148,324.80 annually.
The salary range for Associate Civil Engineer is $132,828.80- $166,025.60 annually.

The ideal candidate for this position will be:

• Technically knowledgeable and experienced in the principles and practices of civil engineering, public works design, construction, and/or maintenance. 
• An effective communicator, both orally and in writing; able to represent the County in meetings and presentations to various groups including property owners, community groups, regulatory and other governmental agencies, and the public.
• Customer-focused and interpersonally effective in dealing with staff, engineers, contractors, and the public, and in coordinating with law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, and other agencies when necessary.
• Able to provide information to the public and other governmental agencies, in person or over the telephone, regarding County procedures and regulations, facility locations, plan requirements, and property ownership, which may require the interpretation of policies and procedures.
• Able to perform development plan reviews and prepare plan review comments.
• Able to interpret and address current environmental regulations.
• Able to analyze and evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare concise and effective technical staff reports.
• Accountable and able to schedule and carry through with assignments with independence.
• Experienced with designing public works projects such as water treatment and distribution systems, and sanitary sewer systems.
• Experienced with computer aided drafting software such as AutoCAD/Civil3D or similar.
• For Assistant Engineer, possession of Engineer in Training Certificate is preferred. 

Examples Of Duties

Duties for these positions may include, but are not limited to:

• Support regulatory monitoring and operations of various utilities
• Preparing designs, plans, and specifications for routine projects.
• Assisting in drafting and preparing instructions for bidders, proposals, affidavits, bonds, specifications, change orders, and other documents and reports involved in the construction of engineering projects.
• Supervising subordinate personnel in a variety of capacities.
• Conducting economic cost and quantity estimates for assigned projects.
• Managing and coordinating with various consultants.
• Performing related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Licensure/Certification: Candidates for Associate Civil Engineer must possess a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California at the time of hire. Some positions require possession of a class C California driver license or equivalent.
 
Education and Experience: 
 Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
 

• Assistant Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering OR twenty-four semester units in civil engineering courses and three years of civil engineering experience in office, field or survey party work OR possession of an Engineer in Training Certificate. 
• Associate Engineer: Two years of professional civil engineering experience which has included field and office work in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of a variety of civil engineering projects.
• Associate Civil Engineer: In addition to possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California at the time of hire, two years of professional civil engineering experience which has included field and office work in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of a variety of civil engineering projects.

Knowledge of: 

• Civil engineering practices and procedures including design and construction methods and techniques.
• Strength and properties and uses of materials and hydraulics.
• Civil engineering design and drafting principles.
• Surveying methods.
• Methods, materials and equipment used in civil engineering projects.
• Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in civil engineering construction work.
• Construction inspection techniques.
• Hydraulics and strength of materials.
• Principles of engineering as they apply to public works projects.
• Engineering mathematics and their application to engineering problems.

Skill/Ability to: 

• Inspect civil engineering work in progress.
• Prepare clear, concise correspondence and reports.
• Comply with safety procedures.
• Supervise subordinate staff.
• Perform engineering calculations and routine design work.
• Solve surveying problems.
• Prepare neat and accurate maps, drawings, notes and reports.

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply.  Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination. 

The examination process will consist of an application screening (weight: pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%) which may include a written exercise. Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense. 
 
IMPORTANT:  Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the “Apply” button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard County employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required application materials. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Monday, December 1, 2025
Application Screening: Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Civil Service Panel Interview (Virtual):  Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Departmental Interviews (In-Person): TBD