Senior Civil Engineer

Salary : $117,346.00 - $150,483.00 Annually
Location : City Hall - 300 E. Chapman Avenue Orange, CA
Job Type: Full Time Miscellaneous
Job Number: 01723
Department: Public Works Department
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: 9/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

JOIN THE CITY OF ORANGE AS A SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER!
Under general direction, plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of professional engineering staff within the Public Works Department; serves as project manager for complex professional engineering activities including environmental program planning and compliance, design, construction, land development engineering, traffic engineering, water resources engineering, and other programs; ensures that functions meet all applicable laws, regulations, and City policies related to the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), land development, traffic and transportation, and water utility infrastructure; provides complex staff assistance to departmental management staff in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
*There is currently one (1) vacancy in the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives general direction from assigned management staff. Exercises general and direct supervision over assigned 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 so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of professional engineering staff in the Public Works Department; trains staff in work procedures; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Monitors activities of the work unit; recommends improvements and modifications and prepares various reports on activities and projects; recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; implements policies and procedures.
• Determines and recommends staffing needs for assigned activities and projects; participates in the annual budget preparation; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications, as required; maintains a variety of records and prepares routine reports of work performance.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposal for professional and/or construction services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; negotiates and administers contracts after award; ensures contractor compliance with City standards and specifications, time and budget estimates; analyzes and resolves complex problems that may arise; recommends and approves field changes as required.
• Conducts CIP planning activities; provides oversight and input into conceptual designs of engineering projects; investigates and resolves problems with scope of work or cost issues of major facility upgrade and replacement projects; ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Monitors rail programs proposed by other agencies and authorities that affect the City; pursues grant opportunities for improvements in rail crossings protection programs; issues work orders to make changes to existing roadway systems to improve safety and capacity.
• Analyzes civil engineering plan design, specifications, consultant and staff comments in accordance with design requirements and municipal and intergovernmental standards and regulations; recommends approval or additional engineering conditions and changes.
• Meets and confers 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 development requirements.
• Responds to and resolves various issues with residents, other department representatives, and outside agencies in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Serves as a liaison for an assigned functional area with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings, as necessary; participates on a variety of boards, commissions, committees, and task forces; attends and participates in professional groups and committees; stays abreast of new trends and innovations.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; assists in developing policies and procedures such as procedure guidelines, design standards, and standard plans and specifications while ensuring that operation and maintenance, financial, regulatory and legal requirements are met.
• Develops and reviews staff reports related to engineering activities and services; may present information to the City Council and various commissions, committees and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Basic principles and practices of budget development, administration, and accountability.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to the planning, design, cost estimating, construction, installation, and inspection of a wide variety of municipal facilities, miscellaneous buildings and structures, and traffic and transportation systems.
• Civil and transportation engineering principles, concepts, standards, and practices associated with public works programs and private development projects.
• Principles and practices of environmental impact assessment and related regulatory processes.
• Methods, materials and techniques used in the construction of public works projects.
• Contract management practices in a public agency setting.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, and procedures, including Subdivision Map Act and subdivision agreements and conveyances.
• 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 the operations of the assigned functional area.
• Safety principles and practices.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, educational, regulatory and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.

Ability to:

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Supervise, train, plan, organize, schedule, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Conduct complex civil engineering research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations and prepare effective technical reports.
• Analyze and interpret engineering plans and specifications in accordance with design requirements and applicable standards and regulations.
• Manage and monitor complex projects, on-time and within budget.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, technical written material, and City engineering policies and procedures.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

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:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related engineering field and five (5) years of responsible experience in civil engineering with at least one (1) year of supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.
• Possess and maintain a valid certificate or registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California.

Supplemental Information
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, 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. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, 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.
Disaster Service Worker:

All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.


City Mission, Vision, and Values:
Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City's Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The City's values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.
BENEFITS FOR ORANGE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

The City of Orange provides a generous array of benefits to employees in addition to maintaining competitive salaries. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees working from 20 to 35 hours.


The following is a partial list of benefits:

Salary Range. Salary Ranges are composed of six (6) steps, each approximately five percent (5%) apart. Advancements through the steps are generally made yearly and based on performance.

Retirement Benefits. Retirement benefits are provided by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), including the City's contribution toward the Fourth Level Survivor's Benefit.

Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired non-safety employees who are " New " CalPERS Members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA"), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% at age 62 defined benefit plan with three year final compensation in accordance with Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA). New Members shall contribute half of normal cost of retirement as determined by CalPERS from their pensionable compensation, on a pre-tax basis, as set forth in California Government Code Section 7522.30.

An employee who is a " Classic " Member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired by the City of Orange on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% @ 55 benefit formula with one year final compensation. Employees contribute 8.00% of pension reportable salary on a pre-tax basis for this retirement benefit.


Social Security & Medicare. Employees do not pay into Social Security, however, do contribute 1.45% of salary towards Medicare.

Cafeteria Benefits Plan. The City pays up to $2,210 per month which can be applied towards CalPERS medical, dental, vision, health care reimbursement, and/or dependent care reimbursement. Under certain criteria, employees may elect to opt out of the City's medical plan altogether and receive $500 per month.


Vacation. Employees earn 92 hours of vacation during the first year of service, and an increasing accrual annually up to 232 hours per year after 30 years of service. The City also provides an annual unused vacation payout plan.

Life Insurance. The City provides a term life insurance policy of $75,000 .

Holidays. The City observes 11 paid holidays and provides 18 hours of floating holiday annually.

Administrative Leave. Employees receive 45 hours of administrative leave annually.

Sick Leave. Sick leave is accrued at a rate of 96 hours per year. Employees are eligible to convert unused sick leave to vacation on an annual basis. A partial payment (up to 50%) for accumulated unused sick leave is available to City employees who retire from the City.

Other Benefits. Most employees work a "9/80" alternate work schedule with City Hall closures every other Friday. Long Term Disability, an Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Reimbursement (up to $1,500/fiscal year), Trip Reduction Program incentives, optional Deferred Compensation programs and Credit Union membership are a few of the additional benefits provided and/or available to employees.

For more information, please click for the Orange Management Association Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Note: an updated MOU is in the process of being uploaded, so the current document may include outdated information. Please contact HR staff at if you have any questions regarding contents of the MOU.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
A Medical Examination, Police Records Check, and thorough Background Investigation are required of all prospective employees.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), all job offers made by the City of Orange are contingent upon establishing proof of your legal right to work in the United States.

All benefited employees shall be subject to a twelve (12) month probationary period as a condition of employment.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Orange.

The City of Orange is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
01


What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Did not graduate high school / did not obtain GED
• Graduated high school / obtained GED
• Completed some college-level coursework or obtained Associate degree
• Obtained Bachelor's degree
• Obtained Graduate degree

02


Do you possess a CA Class C driver's license as of today? If you are out-of-state, do you possess a driver's license in your state of residence as of today, and are you willing and able to obtain a CA driver's license if offered the position?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess a valid certificate or registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

04


How many years of work experience do you possess in civil engineering?

• No experience
• Less than five (5) years
• Five (5) years or more

05


Briefly describe your experience in civil engineering. Be sure to include the company/agency name and your duties. This information should be reflected in the "Work Experience" section of your application. If none, type "N/A".
06


How many years of lead or supervisory experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) year or more

Required Question