Associate Engineer

Salary : $92,712.00 - $118,332.00 Annually
Location : Grover Beach, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2006-08-01
Department: Public Works Department
Opening Date: 08/12/2026
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Description
Public Works - Permitting, Utilities and Capital Projects

(City job classification: Associate Engineer)

Discover Your Career with the City of Grover Beach

Working for the City of Grover Beach means serving a vibrant, close-knit coastal community of over 13,000 residents. Located along California's beautiful Central Coast, our organization is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our community through innovation, integrity, and teamwork.

Why Choose Grover Beach?

• Coastal Lifestyle: Enjoy a Mediterranean climate with beach access right in your backyard.
• Impacts: Every position directly improves local neighborhoods, parks, and infrastructure.
• Collaborative Culture: We work as one team across all city departments.
• Professional Growth: We invest in employee training and career development.

What We Offer

• Compensation: Market-aligned salaries with regular performance-based increases.
• Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension enrollment and optional deferred compensation plans.
• Work-Life Balance: Generous paid vacation, holiday schedules, and flexible work opportunities.

DEFINITION:
Under direction of a Public Works Director/City Engineer, performs field and office civil engineering work related to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of City projects and programs in the areas of streets, capital improvement, traffic operations and safety, and building services, including conducting plan checks, preparing project schedules, plans, specifications, and cost estimates; advertises for construction, coordinates engineering activities with contractors and other agencies and monitors contracts; and performs related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:


The Associate Engineer is the journey-level in the professional engineering classification and incumbents may perform the full range of the engineering functions, but with primary emphasis on street rehabilitation, infrastructure development and traffic issues in a developing City. This class is distinguished from the higher level of Public Works Director/City Engineer in that the Public Works Director/City Engineer handles complex projects and has full supervisory authority over lower-level Engineers. It is distinguished from the lower-level of Engineering Technician in that the Associate Engineer has project management responsibilities in addition to performing the full range of professional engineering duties on routine projects and performs more complex plan checks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED:


Receives general direction from the Public Works Director/City Engineer. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over Engineering Technician.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (include but are not limited to the following)

• Serves as plan check engineer or project manager on projects, including defining project scope and selecting consultants; negotiates contracts, change orders and amendments; prepares and monitors project schedules; monitors, reviews and coordinates project design and construction; evaluates contractor requests for extra work; monitors contractor's work and enforces terms of the contract; and processes payments and change orders; coordinates projects with businesses, utilities and other City departments.
• Conducts field and construction site inspections; ensures contractor compliance with contract documents and time and budget estimates; recommends field changes.
• Prepares and reviews traffic signal timing plans and updates as needed; constructs traffic signal computer models used to prepare timing plans and prepares traffic signal designs and specifications.
• Prepares designs, specifications, plans, estimates and reports for assigned Capital Improvement projects and the development and modification of City infrastructure.
• Conducts civil and traffic engineering and related studies, evaluates alternatives, makes recommendations and presents reports to superiors and others; conducts studies and confers with the public regarding transportation and traffic issues.
• Prepares a variety of written materials, including staff and engineering reports and grant applications for engineering and transportation projects.
• Prepares Requests for Proposals and administers consultant selection process for the design of assigned capital projects; administers construction contracts during the construction phase.
• Coordinates projects with activities of businesses, utilities, special districts and other City departments. Serves as the City representative at meetings and promotes department and/or City objectives.
• Responds to complaints and assists in solving problems related to construction or City plans; interprets plans and policies; confers with and provides information to property owners, contractors, engineers, consultants and the general public on conformance to standards, plans, specifications and codes.
• Maintains accurate records and files.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS: (The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)


Education and/or Experience :


Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in an engineering curriculum or a field related to the area of assignment and three years of professional engineering experience.


License/Certificate/Special Requirements :


At the option of the appointing authority or the City, persons hired into this class may be required to either possess at entry or obtain within specified time limits designated licenses, professional registration, certification or specialized education and training relevant to the area of assignment. Must possess and maintain a valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.


KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES/SKILLS: (The following are a representative sample of the KAS's necessary to perform essential duties of the position.


Knowledge of :


Engineering theories and principles related to the area of assignment; Construction theories and principles; Principles of project management; Computer applications related to the work including basic GIS and AutoCad concepts and applications; Principles of capital improvement cost estimation and contract administration; Basic supervisory principles and practices; Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting effective staff reports; and Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with government agencies, community groups, various businesses, professional and regulatory organizations and the public. '


Ability to:


Prepare plans and drawings neatly and accurately. Prepare engineering design computations and check, design, and prepare engineering plans and studies. Learn and understand City engineering policies and procedures. Administer contracts and coordinate and review the work of outside consultants. Learn applicable laws and regulatory codes. Prepare quantity and cost estimates. Use and care for engineering and drafting instruments and equipment. Prepare reports encompassing raw technical data; prepare effective cost estimates and recommendations. Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.



Skill to :


Preparing engineering designs and plans; Preparing, negotiating and managing contracts and monitoring the work of contractors and consultants; Writing technical reports and preparing cost estimates; Reading blueprints, plans and technical specifications; Coordinating and managing multiple projects, often with competing deadlines; and Communicating effectively with officials, co-workers, contractors, consultants, representatives of organizations and others sufficient to convey information, both directly and over the telephone
Retirement
Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula. Employees who are current members of CalPERS (Classic Members); who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS agency and employment with the city will be enrolled in 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula. All employees are required to pay the full employee contribution to CalPERS.

Medical, Vision and Dental Insurance
During the term of the agreement only, the City shall pay 100% of the employee only portion of health insurance premiums for the least expensive plan offered by CALPERS.. Additional amounts are paid by the city of $601.85 for employee plus one and $1,011.20 for full family. Dental and vision are paid by the employee.

Life Insurance
Covered at 100% by the City.

Deferred Compensation
The City offers a choice of two deferred compensation providers. City match of up to $200.00/month on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Education Reimbursement Program
Up to $2,000 in education expenses is available per fiscal year.

Social Security
City participates in Social Security.

Short Term Disability
Paid by employee by payroll deduction.

Long Term Disability
City Paid.

Vacation
Accrued at two weeks (80 hours) and increases based on years of service.

Administrative Leave
88 hours per calendar year (Exempt Employees)


Sick Leave
Accrues 96 hours per year to a maximum of 2,000 hours.

Holidays
14 paid holidays per year.

Employee Assistance Program
City paid premium

Additional Benefits may include Longevity Pay, Education Incentive and Uniform pay (Public Works).
01


General Project Management Describe your experience in problem solving or managing a project from the perspective of scope, schedule and budget.
02


Municipal Project ManagementPlease describe your experience managing or working in a municipal setting. This experience can be associated with development services, utilities (water, wastewater, stormwater), facilities or the design and construction of a capital improvement program.
03


Job Knowledge & Experience:Please describe your experience and/or knowledge in the field(s) of architecture, engineering, construction or construction management. Please list if you have any current professional licenses and certifications (e.g., EIT, PMP, professional engineer).
Required Question