Senior Civil Engineer

Salary Information Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization. Open to the Public This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an eligible list to fill current and future Senior Civil Engineer positions within OC Public Works and/or other County of Orange agencies. It may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications. Deadline to Apply Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. The recruitment will close on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PT). The Opportunity OC Public Works (OCPW) provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, cities, and other County agencies and departments. It is a unique County department that carries out projects and services designed to protect and enrich the community. OCPW’s guiding principles are safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and adaptability. OC Public Works is divided into ten service areas, including OC Infrastructure, OC Operations & Maintenance, OC Construction, and others. Responsibilities Senior Civil Engineers will manage a variety of responsibilities across different functional areas. The scope of each assignment is as follows: Development Support – Review and Supervision Review County Property Permits (CPP) for Orange County Flood Control District facilities and county roadways to ensure compliance with county standards and public safety. Coordinate and manage private developer and builder project submittals—including street improvements, grading plans, and drainage plans—working with other county departments such as OC Environmental Resources, OC Construction, OC Infrastructure Programs, and Operations & Maintenance. Review subdivision projects and improvement plans for adequacy of road and flood‑control proposals and verify compliance with county ordinances. Manage architect/engineer consultants for budget compliance, contract terms, and quality of reviews. Provide technical engineering support to other county business areas and departments. Maintenance Engineering – Supervisory Capacity Develop and provide engineering support for Flood and Road Maintenance Improvement Program (MIP) projects, including preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates. Direct investigation and resolution of constituent complaints, prioritization of maintenance work orders, and preparation of engineering evaluations for implementation by in‑house maintenance crews or contractors. Conduct encroachment permit and project peer reviews to protect maintenance interests. Provide technical guidance on complex analyses, ensuring accurate engineering studies, reports, and recommendations to support capital‑intensive projects for the Maintenance Project Management Team. Lead coordination with Equipment Operations and Maintenance Inspection teams, drive process and procedural improvements, and provide technical guidance to ensure consistent delivery of engineering projects. OC Construction – Project Management & Construction Management Plan, organize, supervise, and review plans, specifications, and estimates for constructability of public works engineering projects involving roads, bridges, bikeways, and flood‑control channels. Supervise and/or coordinate inspection of public works projects under construction, maintenance, or repair; control quantity and quality of materials, lay out work, interpret plans and specifications, prepare progress reports, and supervise inspectors. Provide construction management support such as reviewing change orders, submittals, requests for information, and progress payments. Capital and Maintenance Project Management Oversee the design phase of projects, preparing plans, specifications, and estimates, and manage project peer reviews for public works engineering projects involving roads, bridges, bikeways, and flood‑control channels. Coordinate with other county services to provide budget estimates, onboard and manage consultants, prepare construction bid packages, obtain environmental and regulatory compliance permits, right‑of‑way acquisition, utility relocations, and engineering studies. Collaborate with external agencies such as other cities, counties, Caltrans, utility companies, and railroads to obtain project approvals. Oversee the development of agreements with external or internal stakeholders. License / Certifications Required Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Minimum Qualifications See the full Senior Civil Engineer classification description for detailed minimum qualifications. Desirable Qualifications & Core Competencies Technical Expertise & Knowledge Knowledge of civil engineering principles, engineering mathematics, and construction material properties. Experience implementing Project Management principles, monitoring and controlling A/E consultant projects for scope, budget, schedule, and quality. Experience in public works projects, including Capital Improvement Programs, and Knowledge of Maintenance Improvement Programs. Ability to review project submittals such as street improvements, grading plans, tract maps, and drainage plans. Oversee engineers performing CPP reviews for OCFCD and county roadways, ensuring designs meet public safety and do not impact private or public facilities. Familiarity with Army Corps 408 permit and other regulatory permits, such as Section 401, 404, 408, and 1600 permits. Knowledge of Orange County highway design, traffic, local drainage, and hydrology manuals. Experience with road and flood design. Knowledge of right‑of‑way acquisition processes. Familiarity with federal grant requirements administered by Caltrans. Coordinate permit reviews with external stakeholders and engage in public outreach. Proficiency in tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe, Bluebeam, HEC‑RAS, WSPG, and other civil engineering software. Communication Skills Effectively communicate verbally and in writing with engineers, contractors, utility companies, regulatory permitting agencies, property owners, business owners, and the public. Maintain effective relationships with peers, managers, contractors, and stakeholders. Communicate diplomatically when personnel or other issues arise. Promote open, candid information sharing across appropriate organizational boundaries. Build consensus among diverse groups to meet business objectives. Present ideas and complex material clearly, concisely, logically, and persuasively in both oral and written forms. Ensure timely, appropriate communication with stakeholders. Leadership Skills Experience in training and directing subordinates. Oversee and review the work of others, such as engineers performing reviews of technical studies and reports. Foster a team atmosphere and reward collaboration. Motivate others to promote productivity and efficiency. Evaluate subordinate staff and identify performance issues. Lead a high‑performance, results‑oriented team to implement organizational goals while balancing competing needs and objectives. Establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Use tact and diplomacy in dealing with difficult and sensitive situations while representing the department’s and county’s perspective. Continuously seek innovative ways to improve processes. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Orange County is an equal employment opportunity employer and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. Veterans Employment Preference is available to qualifying veterans and their eligible spouses, in accordance with County policy. #J-18808-Ljbffr