ASSOCIATE CIVIL ENGINEER/SENIOR TRAFFIC ENGINEER

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Huntington Beach, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 0123-0526
Department: Public Works Department
Division: Transportation
Opening Date: 05/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
**UPDATED 8/172026

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. Applications will be accepted and reviewed weekly until a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established. The recruitment may close at any time.

This posting is a job series in which applications will be accepted, reviewed, and considered based on the qualifications listed on the application. The candidates that meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to test at the appropriate job level within the series. Only ONE APPLICATION needs to be submitted to be considered for this job series.

SALARY RANGE:
Associate Civil Engineer: $98,945.60 - $139,235.20 Annually
Senior Traffic Engineer: $121,950.40 - $171,600.00 Annually

In Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team. At this time, we have an outstanding career opportunity available, as we're looking for the right person to serve as Associate Civil Engineer or Senior Traffic Engineer in our Public Works Department in Transportation Division.
The ideal candidate has experience and an understanding of transportation development impacts, reviewing traffic impact studies, familiarity with the circulation element of the General Plan on land usage and conditions, performs traffic and transportation research, analysis, planning, estimates, and design; oversees the preparation capital improvement project reports, plans, specifications, estimates, grant applications, progress reports, and other technical documents. The ideal candidate also has experience overseeing the work of consultants/contractors performing and reviewing traffic and transportation engineering for the City traffic control. This person will also possess effective and cooperative communication and interpersonal skills.


The Position

Under moderate supervision, performs professional and technical engineering work in assigned area of responsibility such as plan and development review, contract administration and design, and provides technical staff assistance to higher level engineering staff. The Senior Traffic Engineer position will have a higher and broader level of complex engineering expertise, responsibility and requires additional experience.

Examples of Essential Duties

Associate Civil Engineer:

• Assigns, reviews and participates in the design, preparation and checking of construction plans, site investigations, cost estimates, specifications and reports for the construction of public infrastructure improvements and repair of public facilities
• Construction contract administration
• Confers with other department employees and representatives of government agencies, public utilities and contractors to obtain information pertaining to the preparation of plans, specifications and cost estimates and to the coordination of contract requirements
• Reviews manufacturers' specifications and confers with representatives of material suppliers and contractors and other department personnel concerning design criteria
• Prepares specifications for construction contracts
• Analyzes bids and recommends contract awards
• Interprets specifications, drawings and details of construction and installation for field personnel
• Reviews proposals and recommendations for design changes or modifications and coordinates the required changes
• Prepares reports pertaining to the progress of design, construction and other activities

Senior Traffic Engineer:

• Plans, assigns, reviews and participates in the design review, preparation and checking of plans, site investigations, cost estimates, specifications and reports for the improvement and repair of new traffic control systems and devices
• Provides guidance and direction in the design of street and highway improvement projects in relation to geometric design, signalization and alignment
• Directs the planning and designing of computerized systems for traffic control
• Oversees the activities of consulting engineering firms
• May supervise the work of assigned technical staff
• Provides professional support to higher level management at Public Works Commission meetings as required
• Operates, analyzes and upgrades the City's traffic forecast model
• Reviews and analyzes reports of traffic surveys and the operation of traffic control devices
• Makes engineering analyses of traffic flow conditions, accident locations and causes, and prepares reports and recommendations
• Reviews development plan submittals for conformance with City requirements, including the circulation element of the General Plan, design standards and development conditions
• Reviews plans and studies submitted by developers in conjunction with private property development including site, street improvements, traffic signal, signing, and striping, street lighting and traffic control
• Confers with other department employees and representatives of government agencies, public utilities and contractors to obtain information pertaining to the preparation of plans, specifications and cost estimates and to the coordination of traffic control contract requirements
• Functions as a departmental representative at various City meetings
• Schedules programs for review of speed zoning, traffic flow, parking regulations and surveillance of operational conditions
• Travels to offsite locations
• Works various hours, including nights and weekends as deemed necessary by manager/supervisor to conform with changing priorities and meet deadlines
• Reports to work as scheduled, maintains satisfactory attendance record
• Performs other related work as assigned

The preceding duties have been provided as examples of the essential types of work performed by positions within this job classification. The City, at its discretion, may add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes:

Associate Civil Engineer:
Education: A bachelor's degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Five (5) years' experience in the design or construction of public work projects, including a minimum of two (2) years as a professional engineer.


Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment.

Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) from the State of California; or registration as a PE in another state and obtain California registration within twelve months of employment.

Senior Traffic Engineer:

Education: A bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university. Experience: Four (4) years' related engineering experience, with two (2) years in traffic engineering or transportation planning. Licenses/Certifications: Possession of a valid California Class C driver's license and an acceptable driving record are required at the time of appointment and throughout employment.Registration in the State of California as a Professional Engineer required. If licensed in another state as a Professional Engineer, California registration must be obtained with twelve (12) months of employment.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS
Employees regularly assigned/required to drive a city or personal vehicle in the course and scope of work shall be required to participate in the DMV Employer Pull Notice program.

Public Employee Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, all Huntington Beach city employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

• An online application must be fully completed
• Applicants must clearly demonstrate that they meet the minimum education, experience, license and/or certification requirements to be considered. Applicants whose qualifications best meet the City's needs will be invited to participate in a virtual oral examination (weighted 100%). The oral examination date will be scheduled when a sufficient amount of qualified applications has been received.
• Selection Interview
• Appointment

The City of Huntington Beach offers a comprehensive benefit package to Management Employees' Organization members including:

The SALARY RANGE is composed of seven steps. Merit step increases are based on satisfactory performance.

PROMOTIONS within the City are based upon the merit system principles emphasizing individual ability and utilizing competitive examinations.

TWELVE PAID HOLIDAYS provided per year.

GENERAL LEAVE with pay of 176 hours is granted to regular employees. After four years' service additional general leave hours are earned, up to 256 hours after fifteen years' service.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE with pay is granted in the amount of 60 hours per calendar year.

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE PLANS are available for eligible employees to develop their knowledge and abilities.

GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS are available to eligible City employees. These programs include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS are available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and/or medical expenses.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS are provided by the California Public Employee's Retirement System. Every regular employee becomes a member immediately upon employment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will apply to new members of CalPERS. A new member is defined as a new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13 and has no prior membership in a California public retirement system; is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system; or is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six (6) months. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA. Employees enrolled in CalPERS prior to January 1, 2013 are considered classic members.


The benefit formula, final compensation period, and member contribution rate is as represented below:

Classic Miscellaneous Members:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2.5% at age 55
Final Compensation Period 1-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 9.0% of Reportable Compensation

New Miscellaneous Members under PEPRA:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous 2% at age 62
Final Compensation Period 3-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate 8.25% of Reportable Compensation (eff. 7/1/23)

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Two voluntary deferred compensation 457 plans are available.

CREDIT UNION membership is available to all City employees and provides access to low interest loans.

FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES: Employees will have the option of working a 5/40 or 9/80 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. Employees assigned to the Police Department shall retain the option of working the 4/10 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. In order to maintain service to the public, departmental effectiveness, productivity and/or efficiency, a Department Head may assign an employee a different work schedule that is in compliance with the requirements of FLSA with City Manager approval.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.

For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding and Side Letters at: Click on the links under "Management Employees' Organization".
01


Do you possess a bachelor's degree or higher in civil engineering from an accredited college or university?

• Yes
• No

02


Indicate the level of experience you possess in the design or construction of public work projects.

• None
• Less than five (5) years
• At least five (5) years but less than seven (7) years
• Seven (7) years or more

03


Indicate the level of experience you possess directly related to traffic engineering or transportation planning.

• None
• Less than two (2) years
• At least (2) years but less than four (4) years
• Four (4) years or more

04


Do you possess a valid Professional Engineer (PE) license from the State of California?

• Yes
• No

05


If you do not currently possess California PE registration, but are registered as a PE in another state, do you understand that California PE registration must be obtained within twelve (12) months of employment if selected for this position?

• Yes
• No

06


Briefly describe your experience in working on traffic planning studies, traffic engineering projects, and capital improvement projects.(If you do not possess this type of experience, enter "N/A".)
07


Briefly describe your experience in working with traffic signal timing and coordination, as well as Citywide fiber optic networks of traffic signals.(If you do not possess this type of experience, enter "N/A")
08


Describe your experience on applying for State or Federal traffic/transportation related grants.(If you do not possess this type of experience, enter "N/A")
09


Are you a CalPERS Retired Annuitant?

• Yes
• No

Required Question