Senior Engineer

The City of Upland Public Works Department is seeking a highly qualified and forward-thinking professional to serve as a Senior Engineer. This leadership role is essential to the successful planning, design, and delivery of the City's capital improvement projects while ensuring engineering services are completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all applicable regulations. The Senior Engineer oversees engineering staff and consultants, manages complex infrastructure projects, and helps shape the future of Upland through innovative and sustainable public works solutions.

The ideal candidate will possess extensive technical expertise in civil engineering, project management, and public infrastructure design and construction. We are looking for someone with experience managing capital improvement projects, reviewing engineering plans and specifications, developing project schedules, cost estimates, and budgets, coordinating with consultants, contractors, developers, and regulatory agencies, and preparing technical reports and presentations. The successful candidate will be a collaborative leader who exercises sound judgment, mentors staff, and is committed to delivering high-quality projects that serve the community.

The best candidates will have the initiative to lead multidisciplinary engineering projects while fostering collaboration and innovation within the team. Outstanding leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential, along with a passion for public service and continuous improvement. If you're ready to make a lasting impact on the City's infrastructure while helping guide the next generation of engineering professionals.

BENEFIT HIGHLIGHT

• EDUCATION INCENTIVE: Additional compensation over an employee’s base salary for a job-related degree above the minimum requirements required of an employee’s position.
• HOLIDAY: City Hall and most city departments will be permanently closed from Christmas Day through New Year’s Day

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

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff, consultants, and interns performing engineering planning, design, and construction work of public works and utilities projects and systems; trains staff in work procedures; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Serves as project manager as assigned; plans, schedules, conducts, or coordinates detailed phases of the engineering work in a part of a major public works or utility project or in a total project of moderate scope; develops project budgets; conducts project site visits and field exploration; oversees project planning, design, construction, and implementation; coordinates project operations with other divisions and outside agencies; ensures projects meet mandated engineering standards, budgeted funds, best practices, and City goals and objectives.
• Reviews and makes recommendations on the approval of engineering plans, drawings, specifications, cost estimates, contract provisions, legal descriptions, and maps, ensuring compliance with subdivision policies and local and state codes, ordinances, and regulations; oversees permitting procedures for the Public Works Department.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with City specifications and service quality.
• Provides project direction to City consultants and attorneys regarding scope of work; administers professional services contracts; prepares conditions and investigates issues regarding plans and specifications.
• Develops, monitors, and updates project schedules; manages allocated funds by reviewing and monitoring assigned projects and making recommendations regarding appropriate uses; receives and responds to public inquiries regarding current or planned projects.
• Plans, coordinates, and reviews project work performed by contractors and private consultants; reviews change orders for validity and ensuring the requested change orders are not already covered as requirements contained within the project specifications. Reviews project work for errors and omissions and incorporates changes into future designs.
• Participates in the preparation of cost estimates, construction specifications, and financial reports; prepares operating, management, and capital improvement budget estimates, and administers project budget expenses in relation to tasks and schedules.
• Reviews and designs project plans and specifications involving hydrology, traffic and soils reports and calculations, as well as grading plans, sewer plans, water and wastewater facility plans, streets plans, traffic studies, building demolition plans, and other documents, including parcel and tract maps and studies; reviews drawings and details of construction and implementation plans; prepares conditions for approval.
• Supervises and gives technical advice, guidance, and direction to an engineering team concerning project feasibility, design, or construction; provides support for design-related questions or necessary revisions throughout the project.
• Prepares and presents staff reports for the City Council at regular and special City Council meetings; attends public hearings, committee meetings, and public project community meetings representing the City; prepares a variety of PowerPoint presentations, reports, recommendations, and correspondence on current and proposed projects: reviews and edits reports and presentations prepared by support staff.
• Represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, developers, and the public.
• Provides staff assistance to management; supervises the establishment and maintenance of reports, records, and files; ensures the proper documentation of operations and activities.
• Maintains files, databases, and records related to engineering design and construction projects; prepares a variety of written reports, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Keeps current on engineering principles and best practices, technology, regulations, and literature that apply to municipal engineering projects.
• Ensures staff and contractors observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Basic principles and practices of budget administration and monitoring.
• Civil and structural engineering principles, concepts, standards, and practices associated with public works and utilities programs and private development projects.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to the planning, design, cost estimating, construction, installation, and inspection of a wide variety of public works and utilities facilities and systems, miscellaneous buildings and structures, and transportation systems.
• Principles and practices of project management.
• Methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of public works and utilities projects.
• Contract management practices in a public agency setting.
• Land surveying principles.
• Practices and principles of hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and soil mechanics.
• Principles and practices of environmental impact assessment and related regulatory processes.
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to engineering best practices.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• 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 programs, projects, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Perform complex engineering planning, design, and construction project management duties.
• Manage and monitor contracts, contractors, and projects to ensure they are within project specifications, on-time, and within budget.
• Perform complex engineering calculations and estimates, and develop plans, designs, and specifications related to civil and structural engineering projects.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Evaluate project risks and provide mitigation measures.
• Manage the design of multiple engineering projects with varying complexity, size and scale, length, and/or stages of completeness.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with individuals, governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations.
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from citizens, staff, and outside organizations.
• Interpret and explain project design criteria including blueprints, plans, and specifications.
• Prepare and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, legal descriptions, and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, recordkeeping, and tracking systems.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• 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.

When assigned to an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk 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, to climb and descend ladders; 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.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

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, confining workspace, 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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Application Process:

• A competitive review of applicants' experience and qualifications will be conducted. Based on that evaluation, a limited number of applicants whose qualifications best meet the current needs of the City of Upland will be invited to participate in the next step of the examination process. The examination will include a qualifications appraisal interview. Qualified candidates will be provided with more details prior to scheduling.

*Qualifications Appraisal Interviews tentatively scheduled the week of October 26, 2026.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.