Associate Engineer (Water Resources and Environmental)

Salary : $137,111.52 - $166,662.08 Annually
Location : Administration Office - 505 Garrett Avenue, Chula Vista, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-00141
Department: Engineering
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/30/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description

Department : Engineering & Operations

Disclaimer: The specific statements shown in each section of this are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job. Definition :

• Under general supervision, performs planning, design, construction management, and overall project management of routine and complex water and recycled water projects.

Supervision Received/Exercised :

• General supervision is provided by the Director of Engineering and Operations.
• Direct supervision is provided by the Engineering Manager of Water Resources and Environmental.
• Responsibilities include direct supervision of the Principal Engineering Design Technician and any other technician(s) in the Engineering Division.

Examples of Duties/Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

• Serves as a project manager on minor and major Authority projects, directing the work of assigned project staff and consultants in the planning, design, and construction of Authority facilities.
• Plans, schedules, and monitors progress on projects to assure completion on schedule and within budget. Recommends changes to meet goals.
• Prepares design calculations, detailed drawings, and specifications for various water and recycled facility projects.
• Drafts and finalizes proposals and contract documents for bidding contractor services. Administers and evaluates proposals and bids. Prepares Board staff reports recommending action.
• Administers consultant selection process and reviews, evaluates, and reports on work prepared by consultants. Administers consultant contracts.
• Assist and/or design pipeline, tank, pump station, and other water facility related structures from concept to working design: request facility information; perform engineering calculations; manage the permitting process; develop and approve material lists; approve jurisdictional information; align locations; design layouts and connections, and identify staking locations for construction.
• Makes construction site inspections to follow project progress and resolves problems related to drawings, materials, and workmanship; approving change orders or obtaining necessary authorizations.
• Designs and conducts investigations and studies, researches and develops recommendations, and prepares reports associated with Authority facilities and operations.
• Coordinates and reviews the work of engineers, consultants, technicians, drafters, inspectors, and surveyors assigned to a project.
• Interprets data from tests made on materials in field and laboratory for conformance to constructions documents.
• Analyzes hydraulics using computer models, and coordinates the testing of pipelines to establish rate of flow and pressure for operations purposes. Collects and evaluates data to project future pipeline needs and storage requirements.
• Conducts and participates in meetings related to project planning, design, construction, and interagency coordination.
• Support with the Infrastructure and Inspection engineering teams, Environmental division, and Watershed Caretaker division, to develop working knowledge of field inspection procedures within the division, capital improvement projects, and system infrastructure, supporting integrated project delivery.
• Prepares agendas and issues comprehensive meeting minutes.
• Makes oral presentations and participates in administrative hearings, public meetings, or related investigations as a representative of the Authority.
• Participates in and documents continuous improvements made to procedures.
• Assists in the development of design and construction standards, development guidelines, Rates and Rules and Supplement to the Rates and Rules
• Prepares and finalizes reimbursement and financing agreements with developers.
• Assists with the development and implementation of the Authority's Strategic Plan, Performance Measures and Asset Management Program.
• Participates in and leads the work of personnel in the performance of technical, paraprofessional engineering, and administrative work; plan, schedule, oversee and review the work of assigned staff; serve as project manager for planning and capital improvement projects.
• Supervises staff to include: Prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff members are trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment.
• Trains and instructs others in the work; provide technical assistance to others.
• Prepares a variety of technical reports, specifications, graphs, forms, charts and correspondence; write periodic progress reports on construction and expansion projects; prepare a variety of engineering documents, which may include Request for Proposals and/or Request for Qualifications, work orders, engineering letters, maps, plans, and other related documents.
• Creates engineering maps and sketches.
• Performs Plan Check services - Review water plans for new developments, services, subdivisions, and main extensions for conformance to Authority standards, construction standards and the Authority's policies; calculates, quotes and assures proper distribution of fees; prepares hydraulic calculations; reviews subdivision and parcel maps and easements; assures legal easements are obtained when applicable; reviews plans and subdivision maps to verify that all required corrections have been made before final approval by the district; files notices of completion, as-built plans and updates map plats.
• Review and evaluate studies, designs, reports and records generated by other departments and outside entities.
• Review specifications and drawings prior to the start of construction and make recommendations for change or approval; confer with supervisors, engineers, consultants, and contractors regarding interpretation of documents.
• Research water availability and determine water requirements for various land parcels and proposed developments. Other duties of a similar engineering, design, and construction management nature.
• Represents the Authority at meetings with agencies, developers, and professional organizations.
• Operates a vehicle as required.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles, practices, methods, and materials of engineering as applied to the planning, design, and construction of water facilities.
• Principles and practices of project management techniques.
• Principles and practices of supervision.
• Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and standards.
• Technical criteria, policies, procedures, design, and construction practices.
• Computers and applicable software applications including ArcGIS and AutoCAD Civil 3D, InfoWater, engineering applications and basic GIS database administration principles.
• Modern developments, current literature, and sources of engineering and/or planning information.
• Applicable environmental laws, safety, and regulatory codes related to development and construction of water facilities.
• Principles of report writing and correspondence.
• Principles of mathematical calculations.
• Hydraulic and hydrology principles.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Appropriate safety precautions, procedures, practices and regulations.

Ability to :

• Prepare or coordinates preparation of accurate engineering drawings, specifications and cost estimates.
• Collect, analyze, interpret and synthesize a wide variety of data and information.
• Operate a variety of assigned equipment, modern computers, and technical software.
• Maintain complete, accurate records and documentation.
• Review and interpret engineering reports and environmental documents.
• Plan and organize work to meet deadlines.
• Prepare, present, and write clear, comprehensive, accurate, and persuasive oral and written reports.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• Follow established codes, policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Perform work in accordance with safety regulations.
• Deal courteously and appropriately with the public.
• Work as a team and build consensus.
• Operate a vehicle while observing legal and defensive driving practices.
• Operate assigned equipment as required.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with all levels of employees and customers.
• Train, coach, and review the work of other engineers and technicians.
• Exercise sound, judgment, with political sensitivity, within general policy guidelines
• Exercise tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with highly sensitive, complex, confidential and controversial issues and situations.
• Independently manage time and given assignments.
• Accept and manage responsibility for given assignments.
• Perform technical research and provide reliable advice on water engineering problems.
• Keyboard proficiently.
• Handle numerous information requests in a timely manner.
• Use interpersonal skills effectively as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Education/Training/Experience (positions in this class typically require):
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Engineering or a closely related field.
• Three (3) years' experience in engineering preferably performing planning, design and project management for water, and recycled water facilities projects and operations.

Licenses/Certifications - Required Conditions of Employment :

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License.
• Maintain an acceptable, safe, and active driving record, together with proof of insurability.
• Possess EIT - Engineer in Training Certificate, with the requirement of obtaining P.E. within two (2) years from start date.
• Preferred - Possess a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer (P.E.) in the State of California.

Physical Requirements :
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• Hear normal conversation in person and on the telephone.
• Mobility of arms to reach, and the dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects and to write legibly.
• Visual ability (which may be corrected) to read small print and video messages, including good peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Speak in a normal voice; able to be heard and understood on the telephone, in person, and to communicate clearly and concisely.
• Sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Use office equipment such as personal computers, copiers and fax machines.
• Operate standard passenger vehicles.
• Lift, carry, push or pull up to thirty-five (35) pounds.
• Keyboarding for extended periods of time.
• Fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
• Mobility to stand and walk, stoop and bend and extend legs on uneven ground.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing tasks, which includes respirators.
• Climb ladders and stairs on water storage tanks and facilities and work on top of these structures.
• Work in noisy environments.

Working Hours :

• Flex Schedule: Monday through Thursday 7:30 A.M. - 5:30 P.M. (9/80); Friday 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., and every other Friday off or, as assigned by the supervisor.

Other Conditions :
It is important that incumbents in this position maintain a professional and businesslike image to the public at all times:

• A neat, clean and pressed appearance in clothing, hair and personal hygiene is important every day.
• Good judgment is expected in determining proper dress and appearance.
• All facial hair must be kept neat and trimmed.

Supplemental Information

Sweetwater Authority is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [click to reveal email address] View email address on us.fitly.work .

• Health insurance: Option of Cigna HMO or Kaiser HMO for all full time employees and their dependents; employees share in a portion of the cost, not to exceed $35 per pay period.
• Vision, dental, and orthodontic insurance: Premiums 100% paid by the Authority for employees and dependents.
• Life insurance: Premiums 100% paid by the Authority for the employee. Optional dependent life insurance is offered at the employee's expense.
• Retirement: Membership in California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) with the retirement formula of 2.5% @ 55 for existing "classic" members and 2% @ 62 for "new" members.
• The Authority will contribute the equivalence of 24 hours of the employee's hourly rate into PARS 401(a) each fiscal year.
• Deferred compensation: Authority-matched employee contributions to a qualified 457 (Lincoln, National, and CalPERS) plan up to $1,500 made to the employee's 401(a) (PARS) plan.
• Paid Time Off (PTO): PTO is provided in lieu of traditional vacation and sick leave benefits. PTO is accrued based on years of service, beginning at 18 work days per year up to a maximum of 35 days.
• 48 hours of "floating" holidays to use each year.
• Retiree Healthcare: At age 55 with 15 years of service the Authority pays $700/month. The amount the Authority pays is prorated for 10-15 years of service. Payments cease after 10 years or upon reaching Medicare-eligible age.
• Additional benefits include tuition reimbursement, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and more.

01

Are you 18 or older?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you able to work Full Time?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a Driver License?

• Yes
• No

04

If hired, can you provide proof of your legal right to work in the U.S.?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you have at least a High School Diploma or G.E.D.?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering?

• Yes
• No

Required Question