Engineer

Salary : $129,068.94 - $177,923.20 Annually
Location : 26111 Antonio Parkway, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, 92688, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Non Represented
Job Number: 2026-31
Department: Engineering
Division: General Engineering
Opening Date: 07/09/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Job Description
Join our team as an Engineer!

Santa Margarita Water District is seeking a motivated and collaborative Engineer to support the planning, design, construction, and long-term reliability of the District's water, wastewater, and recycled water infrastructure. This journey-level position offers the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of development review activities, capital improvement projects, and operational initiatives that help ensure the continued delivery of safe and reliable utility services to the community.


Whether coordinating with developers and contractors supporting major infrastructure improvements, evaluating technical studies, this role provides a unique opportunity to work on projects that shape the future of the District and the communities it serves.
About the Role
Under general supervision, the Engineer performs professional engineering work involving the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and improvement of the District's water, wastewater, recycled water, and infrastructure systems. The position provides technical analysis, project management, and engineering support for development review activities, capital projects, regulatory compliance initiatives, and operational programs while serving as a technical resource to District staff, consultants, contractors, developers, and the public.


The District is seeking a registered Civil Engineer who meets the minimum qualifications outlined in the job posting to support the integration of private land development projects with the District's water and wastewater infrastructure needs. This role plays a key part in ensuring that new development is properly planned, reviewed, and coordinated so that public water and sewer facilities can reliably serve future customers within expanding project areas.

The selected engineer will review public water and sewer improvement plans, hydraulic analyses, technical studies, and related documents prepared by developers and consultants during both the planning and construction phases. Working under the direction of the Chief Engineer, the position will remain involved throughout the full project lifecycle-from conceptual planning through construction and occupancy-and will collaborate closely with District staff, field inspectors, developers, and outside consultants. Projects may range from single custom homes to large-scale master-planned communities serving thousands of customers and may involve both residential and commercial development.

SALARY INFORMATION

Please note: Effective July 1, 2027, all classes will receive a 3% COLA increase (Cost of Living Adjustment)
Meet Santa Margarita Water District
is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the region's largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.


Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters the sense of fun, comradery, and a rewarding sense of purpose as we do work that matters.


Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve SMWD's goals and solve challenges with a common aim that fosters a unique bond that is not often found in governmental agencies.


Santa Margarita Water District's values include:

• Exemplary service excellence
• Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive
• Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency
• Environmental and resource stewardship
• Employee development and leadership training
• Building relationships that strengthen communities

Essential Functions

What You Will Do

• Review engineering plans, specifications, technical studies, and construction documents prepared by consultants, developers, contractors, and District staff
• Support development review activities, including tract maps, hydraulic analyses, and infrastructure improvement plans
• Coordinate projects with internal departments, regulatory agencies, utility providers, developers, contractors, and other stakeholders
• Represent the District in meetings with consultants, developers, agencies, contractors, and community groups
• Evaluate infrastructure performance and develop recommendations for system improvements and operational efficiencies
• Manage and coordinate capital improvement projects from planning through design, construction, and closeout
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, Board materials, and engineering recommendations
• Assist with consultant and construction contract administration and project budgeting
• Investigate operational issues and customer concerns requiring engineering analysis and recommendations
• Provide technical support during emergency response and infrastructure-related incidents

What You Bring

• Strong knowledge of civil engineering principles and utility infrastructure systems
• Experience reviewing development plans, engineering studies, and construction documents
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while exercising sound professional judgment
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with developers, consultants, contractors, agencies, and District staff
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Experience with project management, engineering analysis, and infrastructure planning
• Commitment to providing reliable public infrastructure and exceptional customer service

Requisite Abilities/Qualifications & Guidelines

Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a closely related field and three (3) years of progressively responsible engineering experience involving utility infrastructure, development review, land development plan preparation or review, capital projects, water resources, wastewater systems, or related activities. Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer (PE) in the State of California is desirable and may be required for advancement opportunities. A valid California Class C driver's license is required.

Other Necessary Requirements/Additional Information


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Santa Margarita Water District offers a comprehensive benefit package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision and life insurance; and a variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM: As a public agency, the Santa Margarita Water District has enrolled in the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) for retirement benefits. The retirement formula and required employee contribution may vary based on employment status.


HEALTH INSURANCE: The District contracts with the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from PPO or HMO plans. Medical premiums for plans in an amount up to or equal to the highest HMO are paid for by the District for all full-time employees. The District shares the cost of medical insurance for dependents with the employee. Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status.

DENTAL INSURANCE: The District provides dental insurance for all full-time regular employees. Optional dependent dental coverage is available at the District's rates. Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status.

VISION INSURANCE: The District provides each full-time employee and their eligible dependents with vision insurance through Vision Service Plan (VSP). Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status.

LIFE INSURANCE AND ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT: The District provides term-life insurance for all full-time employees through VOYA with Employee benefits equaling 2 1/2 times the employee's annual salary to a maximum of $200,000. Adjustments are made based on the employee's salary. Coverage is effective on the first of the month following employment with full-time status.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP): The District provides all employees and their dependents with an EAP that provides confidential, professional assistance with a variety of services such as legal/financial concerns, ID recovery, mental health, and more.

GENERAL LEAVE ACCRUAL: General leave is a multi-purpose leave providing for vacations, personal affairs, and non-job related illness/injuries.

• First year through five-year anniversary date of continuous employment: 11.67 hours per calendar month (140 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 304 hours.
• Sixth through ten-year anniversary date of continuous employment: 16 hours per calendar month (192 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 350 hours.
• Eleventh through fifteen-year anniversary date of continuous employment: 19.33 hours per calendar month (232 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 350 hours.
• Sixteenth year and beyond of continuous employment: 22.67 hours per calendar month (272 hours per year) with an accumulated maximum of 380 hours.

While accrual begins from the date of hire, for the most part, general leave may not be taken until completion of the employee's six-month probationary period.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Regular full and part-time employees are eligible to participate in the District's deferred compensation program. The District shall match an employee's contribution into the deferred compensation plan up to a maximum of $2,400 per employee per year, or $100 per pay-period. The contributions occur each pay period except the third pay period in those months with three pay dates.
HOLIDAYS: The District provides 11½ holidays (92 hours) per year for full-time employees.

FLEX SPENDING ACCOUNT: Through the District's Flexible Spending Account (FSA), employees may set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible "out-of-pocket" (unreimbursed) medical expenses, child or dependent care.

LIFESTYLE SPENDING ACCOUNT: A benefit in which your employer sets money aside for you to use on eligible expenses related to physical, financial and emotional
well-being.

EDUCATION REIMBURSEMENT: All full-time employees are eligible for reimbursement for educational training or certification training taken from any college, university, or accredited institution, up to the IRS annual limit with Department Head approval.

The aforementioned information is only a summary of the District's benefits. Detailed information may be found in the Personnel Rules and Regulations and/or the Memorandum of Understanding between the SMWDEA and the Santa Margarita Water District.
01


Describe a time you prepared or reviewed engineering plans, specifications, or hydraulic studies for water, recycled water, or wastewater systems. What was the scope, and what specific standards or regulations did you apply?
02


Explain your experience reviewing development plans or processing utility-related permits (for example, encroachment permits, will serve letter applications, or sanitation clearances or wastewater discharge permit applications). How did you coordinate with applicants, inspectors, or reviewing agencies?
03


Provide an example of a capital improvement or facility rehabilitation project you managed. What were your primary responsibilities during design, bidding, and construction, and how did you address any challenges that arose?
04


Describe a construction or operational problem you encountered on a project involving pipelines, pump stations, or treatment facilities. What analysis did you perform, and what corrective actions did you recommend or implement?
Required Question