Associate Engineer

Salary : $106,068.00 - $128,928.00 Annually
Location : Lomita, CA
Job Type: Fulltime
Job Number: 26-0015
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 07/28/2026


Summary


Join Team Lomita as an Associate Engineer and help shape the infrastructure that keeps our community moving. Guided by our core values of Professionalism/Integrity, Respect, Health and Safety Awareness, and Innovation/High Performance, we are dedicated to fostering a supportive workplace where employees feel valued, empowered, and inspired to contribute their talents. Make a lasting impact and apply today.
This position is open until filled. First review of applications will be August 7, 2026.

Under direction, performs professional field and office engineering work related to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the City's capital improvement projects, land development, and public works infrastructure programs and projects; supports engineering infrastructure projects which include, but are not limited to, water, stormwater, facilities, parks, and street improvements; confers with developers, contractors, and representatives of other agencies on assigned projects; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the fully qualified journey-level classification in the professional Engineer series. Positions at this level perform the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgement and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Senior Civil Engineer in that the latter performs the more complex work assigned to the series and provides supervision over lower-level staff.

Examples of Duties


Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs responsible engineering, administrative engineering, and project management work in Public Works and related functions.
• Prepares plans and specifications for the design, construction, and maintenance/operation of a variety of public works projects including, but not limited to streets, water and storm water systems, parks, and facilities; ensures conformance to federal, state, and local legal requirements and professional engineering design practices.
• Prepares and/or participates in the preparation and review of preliminary and final engineering plans, cost estimates, cost analysis studies, specifications, and schedules for public works projects.
• Plans, coordinates, and supervises the environmental review, plan checking, and conditional approval of tentative maps and related street improvement plans for various private development projects.
• Reviews subdivision and improvement plans, parcel maps, road and grading plans, and related maps and specifications for accuracy and conformance to established engineering practices and mandated regulations.
• Reviews and provides comments for development projects within the City, ensuring they comply with mandated standards; coordinates with public works and building staff to convey these comments to the applicant.
• Provides information to the public and resolves questions and complaints regarding the interpretation and application of civil, traffic, or land development engineering specifications, codes, rules, and regulations.
• Creates applications and develops procedures for new permits or improvement of existing permits; reviews, approves, and issues permits.
• Researches project design requirements and performs related calculations; prepares time and material cost estimates; assists in the preparation of department annual budget estimates.
• Performs field investigations to confirm existing site conditions for proposed project submittals; checks location of water and sewer services, existing private utilities, street and sidewalk conditions, and any potential constraints which may be of concern for the project; uses City vehicle to travel to job sites.
• Serves as project manager on assigned engineering and construction projects; analyzes and resolves design and engineering issues; settles disputes and issues with inspectors, engineers, and contractors; issues task orders; reviews and negotiates change orders for management approval.
• Coordinates public works construction improvements with utility companies and other agencies including relocation, removal, and/or installation of utility improvements.
• Meets with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating engineering matters; provides information regarding City capital project requirements.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to public works methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of complex public works projects including water, stormwater, street, and traffic systems design.
• Civil engineering principles, techniques, policies, and procedures.
• Principles and practices of traffic and transportation engineering and planning.
• Land development principles and associated documentation such as property legal descriptions.
• City procedures for steering land improvement or development project works from inception to approval.
• General design, layout, and construction practices for public improvements such as streets, storm drains, grading, and landscaping.
• Construction management principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of capital improvement program budgeting, cost estimation, funding, and contract administration.
• Principles and practices of project management.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of environmental impact assessment and related regulatory processes for assigned projects.
• Contract management practices in a public agency setting.
• Principles and practices of construction management.
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to engineering work.
• Project documentation development techniques including drafting, mapping, drawings, and specifications.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the engineering, development, and construction fields.
• Recordkeeping principles and procedures.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Perform a variety of professional engineering duties in support of the City's capital improvement and land development projects.
• Prepare complex engineering computations and check, design, and oversee the preparation of various engineering plans and reports.
• Utilize advanced engineering techniques to evaluate complex project design or construction issues.
• Prepare accurate estimates of costs, schedules, materials, and personnel resources required for assigned projects.
• Gather, analyze, and interpret a variety of complex technical data.
• Plan and coordinate environmental review, plan checking, and conditional approval of tentative maps and related street improvement plans for various private development projects.
• Prepare specifications, reports, correspondence, plans, plats, petitions, diagrams, profiles, and cross sections, and material and cost estimates.
• Read and interpret maps, plans, sketches, schematics, diagrams, and blueprints.
• Serve as project manager on engineering and construction projects.
• Oversee and coordinate the work of contracted service providers.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering program experience

• Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License, to be maintained throughout employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.When assigned to field inspection, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various City sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
RETIREMENT

• New PERS Members (entering after January 1, 2013) or returning members with a break in service greater than 6 months will be enrolled in the City's 2% @ 62 Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Employee contributes the employee portion (CalPERS may change this rate annually).
• Classic PERS Members (entering before January 1, 2013 and enrolled in the CalPERS system within the past 6 months) will be enrolled in the City's 2% @ 60 Defined Benefit Pension Plan. Employee pays the 9% employee contribution.
• The City does not participate in the Social Security System.
• Employees pay the mandatory 1.45% medicare contribution

HEALTH/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE

• Section 125 Cafeteria Plan, allows for payment of employee paid medical, dental and vision premiums, dependent care, and flexible spending monies, with pre-tax dollars.
• City contributes between $1,620 and $1,705 per month towards health, dental, and vision insurance, depending on the number of dependents enrolled.
• Fifty percent (50%) of any remaining money may be deposited into a Mission Square 457(b) deferred compensation account.

LIFE INSURANCE: The City provides a $50,000 life insurance policy. Additional Life insurance is available.

DISABILITY: The City pays the premium for short-term disability and long-term disability insurance for the employee

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Fulltime employees are eligible for participation in the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides confidential counseling and consultation services for family, stress, financial and legal issues.

VACATION: 80 hours of vacation per year for the first 5 years of service

SICK LEAVE: 108 hours of sick leave per year (9 hours per month)

HOLIDAYS: 14.5 days per year (this includes the week between Christmas and New Years)


FLOATING HOLIDAY: 1 floating holiday per fiscal year

TUITION REIMBURSEMENT: Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year for courses related to job assignment or when pursuing a degree in a major with potential value to the City.


WELLNESS STIPEND: $150 per year towards wellness related programs

WORK SCHEDULE: The City has a 9/80 work schedule with alternating Fridays off
01


Do you possess a valid California Class C driver's license?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

03


If you answered yes to the question above, what is your major field of study?
04


Do you have three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering program experience?

• Yes
• No

05


Please describe a civil engineering project that you recently worked on.
Required Question