Supervising Engineer

Salary : $154,709.10 - $188,050.20 Annually
Location : 630 Garden St., Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time Unclassified
Job Number: 2026-00048-4043-PW-JG
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 04/21/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


DESCRIPTION
SUPERVISING ENGINEER


Streets Engineering Construction

$154,709.10 - $188,050.20 ANNUALLY

(plus 5% for CA Professional Engineer License)
Please note: The original posting has been updated to reflect the salary increase effective 4/4/26.

ABOUT US

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in a collaborative environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive and grow while fulfilling our Mission.

The Mission of the Public Works Department is to provide the community with a sustainable foundation to thrive by delivering quality services and public infrastructure through efficient and fiscally responsible practices.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

As a City of Santa Barbara employee, the work that you do has a real impact on people in our community. We are about more than the bottom line; our work ensures the health and safety of residents and visitors, protects and preserves our architectural heritage and the natural environment, and enriches lives.

As City employees, we are the stewards of this beautiful place. Our job is to help the elected officials serve everyone in our community and ensure Santa Barbara continues to be a special place for future generations. This is an exciting, and sometimes demanding, responsibility. It is important work that you can be proud to perform.


EMPOLYEE BENEFITS & PAY

Earn an attractive compensation package including competitive pay, comprehensive health and welfare benefits, retirement, paid time off, flexible work policies, commuter support, training and educational reimbursement.

THE POSITION

The City of Santa Barbara Public Works Department is seeking a motivated and knowledgeable Supervising Engineer to support Streets Engineering Construction. Under general direction from a Principal Civil Engineer, this position is responsible for supervising, assigning and reviewing the work of staff responsible for professional and technical engineering work for the Public Works Department, primarily in the area of construction administration and construction management of capital projects, including streets, bridges, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, traffic signals, streetlights, etc. This position establishes priorities and directs the work of consultants and contractors in the design and construction of public improvements. Manages and participates in the construction of capital projects based on plans, specifications, cost and quantity estimates, and bid documents; negotiates terms and fees and approves contractor and consultant pay requests. Prepares analytical and statistical reports, grant applications, and outside consultant contracts; manages, coordinates and schedules projects and oversees the maintenance of records, maps, and construction project documents. Participates in budget preparation and administration, prepares cost estimates, monitors and controls expenditures, tracks staff time and budgets. Responds to public-information inquiries and complaints. Solves controversial and complex technical and logistical problems for engineering staff, developers, builders and the general public. Selects and trains staff. Attends and chairs public meetings and performs other duties as required. If in possession of a valid CA registration as a Professional Engineer, stamps and approves record drawings.

Knowledge of:


Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation; principles and practices of civil engineering and administration; principles and practices of project and construction management; principles and practices of engineering design; terminology, methods, practices, and techniques used in technical civil engineering report preparation; principles and practices of budget preparation and control; principles of mathematics as applied to engineering work; recent developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding civil engineering; modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment and software applications; pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including civil engineering laws and regulations.

Ability to:

Plan, organize, and supervise the work of professional and technical staff; train and evaluate staff; manage large and complex engineering projects; ensure project compliance with appropriate; Federal, state, and local rules, laws, and regulations; coordinate phases of construction projects and prepare progress reports; analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals; conduct comprehensive engineering studies and develop appropriate recommendations; perform technical research and solve difficult engineering problems; prepare and maintain technical civil engineering records and prepare comprehensive reports; compile rough technical data and prepare statistical and narrative reports from field studies; develop, review and modify civil engineering plans, designs, and specifications. Exercise professional engineering judgment to achieve results consistent with objectives; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include the following: sitting for extended periods of time, operating assigned equipment, and conducting field inspections; maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating assigned equipment.
Minimum Qualifications - Experience and Training:

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

Five (5)years of increasingly responsible civil engineering experience including some lead supervisory or project management responsibility.
Education and/or Training:

Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field.
License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

Valid California Driver's license at time of appointment.
California registration as a Professional Engineer or Engineer in Training is preferred.

Desirable experience:

• Managing multiple concurrent projects and timelines
• Managing and overseeing large-scale infrastructure projects
• Supervising engineering staff at various levels
• Construction management experience and training

Selection Process:

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as "See application", "Extensive Experience", or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire. ?
The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. ?Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

OPEN & CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time. THE FIRST APPLICATION REVIEW WILL BE MAY 22, 2026. ALL APPLICATIONS (UNCLUDING RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE) RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON FRIDAY, MAY 22nd WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE INITIAL APPLICATION REVIEW PERIOD. THE DEPARTMENT MAY CONTINUE TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE INITIAL APPLICATION REVIEW PERIOD AS NEEDED.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

The City of Santa Barbara is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an EEO employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, or other factors. We believe in fostering an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued, respected and empowered.


Disaster Services Assignments

As public employees, we play an enhanced role in the event of a disaster or other emergency in our community. You will be registered as a disaster services worker, and you will be issued a disaster services identification card. In the event of a disaster or other emergency, make sure that your family is safe and secure first, then report to your assigned emergency location. Hourly employees generally do not receive disaster services assignments.
THE SALARY RANGE consists of five steps, each representing an increase of approximately five percent. STEP INCREASES , through the top salary step, are tied to job performance with annual performance reviews. Employees receive annual performance reviews.
THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS may vary and are subject to collective bargaining:
Note: Part-time employees receive pro-rated benefits, e.g., 50%, 60%, etc.

• The City is a member of the Coastal Housing Partnership , which offers home loan assistance and rental reductions.
• Standard Citywide 9/80 work schedule with closures on alternate Fridays.
• Flexwork / Telecommuting is available.
• Bilingual pay may be available at a rate of $64 / pay period.
• Vacation is accrued at 96 hours / year, increasing with City service.
• Personal leave (32 hours) is provided each July 1st at the start of the fiscal year (pro-rated the first year).
• Sick leave is accrued at the rate of 96 hours / year.
• Holidays : 12 holidays are observed / year.
• Retirement : The City does not participate in Social Security.
  • PERS Miscellaneous Formula: "Classic" members: 2.7% @ 55; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 8% of salary. "New" members: 2% @ 62; City contributes 12.03% and employee contributes 7.75% of salary.
  • PERS Police Safety Formula: "Classic" members: 3% @ 50; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 9% of salary. "New" members: 2.7% @ 57; City contributes 23.38% and employee contributes 14% of salary.
  • PERS Fire Safety Formula: "Classic" members: 3% @ 50; City contributes 27.8% and employee contributes 10.5% of salary. "New" members: 2.7% @ 57; City contributes 14.72% and employee contributes 14.5% of salary.
• Insurance including medical, dental, and vision benefits is available. Click here for the benefits rate sheet: Supervisors Unit Rate Sheet .
• Life Insurance : City-paid term life insurance (1x annual salary) is provided. Employee-paid supplemental life insurance is available subject to a health application if coverage is not elected during the new hire guarantee issue period.
• Employee Assistance Program : A City-paid EAP is available for employees and members of their household.
• Long-term Disability Insurance is provided.
• State Disability Insurance (SDI) and Paid Family Leave (PFL) is provided. Employee pays 1.1% of salary. For 2025, the anticipated SDI/PFL rate is 1.2% of salary.
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans (457) are available to employees through a deferred compensation program.
• A uniform allowance or uniform will be provided by the City to those employees required to wear a uniform.
• Employee must pay an amount equal to 1.45% of salary toward Medicare . An equal amount is paid by the City.
• The Santa Barbara City Supervisory Employees' Bargaining Unit represents this classification.

Revised 12/1/2024
01


The following Supplemental Questionnaire is part of the examination for this position and will be used in determining your qualifications. In order to receive every consideration in the selection process, you must complete all questions with concise but detailed answers and provide all requested information. Responses such as "See Resume" or "See Application" will result in your application not being considered.By continuing in the recruitment process, you are certifying that all information provided in the Supplemental Questionnaire is true to the best of your knowledge. If you are selected to continue in the recruitment process, your qualifications may be evaluated through employment verification, reference checks, written/skill assessment, and oral examinations. Select "Yes" to reflect that you have read and understand this statement.

• Yes
• No

02


Describe your experience administering public works construction contracts. What types of facilities or infrastructure projects have you worked on and what was your specific role in construction? If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."
03


Describe a construction issue you were responsible for resolving and how you handled it. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."
04


What in particular would motivate you in the role of Supervising Engineer? How do you envision motivating, training, and developing your team?
05


Briefly describe your strategy for planning, organizing, and supervising the work of professional and technical staff? If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."
06


Describe your understanding and experience with the Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual/Guidelines as it relates to federally and state funded projects. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A."
Required Question