Job Description

Posting number: 0069-0626

Department: Public Works Department

Job classification: SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Engineering, Public Works

Summary

Updated March 31, 2025

NEXT REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS IS SCHEDULED TO OCCUR FOR APPLICATIONS RECEIVED BEFORE 5:00 P.M. ON OCTOBER 21, 2026.

This recruitment will remain open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled to occur for applications received before 5:00 PM on July 1, 2026 and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the positions are filled. This recruitment may close at any time after that date, once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.

Here 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. We're excited to announce an outstanding career opportunity for a Senior Civil Engineer within our Development Services Division of the Public Works Department.

This position offers flexible scheduling options, including a 9/80 or 4/10 workweek.

The City of Huntington Beach Public Works Department provides outstanding programs, services and facilities to enhance and enrich the lives of our residents and visitors. The ideal candidate will bring:

• Experience reviewing land development and redevelopment projects, writing conditions of approval, and working with developers and contractors in managing private development projects
• Superior communication, organizational, and project management skills who follow through on all facets of work
• Ability to see the strengths, assets, and potential within a community, and an individual who operates with a profound respect for understanding the aspirations and needs of both residents of and visitors to Huntington Beach
• A strong background demonstrating excellent leadership skills
• Creative ideas and ability to facilitate innovative processes in a team environment
• Outstanding customer service skills with the ability work effectively with the general public, business owners, community groups and vendor

The Department

The Public Works Department provides outstanding customer service and is responsible for the design, construction, maintenance, and operations of public facilities and infrastructure. This requires us to respond to requests for service, coordinate efforts with local, regional, state, and federal agencies, and working with the community in all of our efforts. Public Works manages over 30% of the city's total budget, including three enterprise funds and seven designated funds, as well as the citywide capital improvement program. The five divisions in public works are committed to providing the highest quality of service to the community. These five divisions include Engineering, Utilities, Administration, Operations and Transportation.

The Position

When assigned to Development Services, the Senior Civil Engineer performs professional engineering duties in support of the City’s Grading Program by reviewing and approving grading permits for significant residential and commercial development and redevelopment projects; performs plan checks and conducts meetings with developers and engineers to ensure permit requirements are incorporated into plans; reviews and plan checks Water Quality Management Plans and Hydrology and Hydraulic reports for development projects to ensure compliance with mandated requirements; processes private development projects initiated by the Planning Department; tracks the progress of entitlement documents for other compliance reviews; issues permits; and performs other related duties as required.

Examples of duties

• Plans, assigns, reviews and participates in the design, preparation and checking of construction plans, site investigations, cost estimates, specifications and reports for capital improvement projects including construction, public improvement and repair of public facilities; determines structural sections, line and grades for construction projects
• Investigates and evaluates proposed systems and construction sites; serves as project manager for assigned public works and water infrastructure projects; determines and defines scope of work; reviews design proposals; oversees and monitors the performance of contractors and consultants to ensure compliance with project specifications and budgets; reviews and approves progress payments
• Prepares engineering feasibility studies and cost estimates; recommends and requests tests to determine soil bearing and geological conditions at proposed construction sites; 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 as well as 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; functions as a departmental representative at various City meetings; may supervise the work of assigned technical staff

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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:

Education: A bachelor's degree in civil or environmental engineering from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Four (4) years of related experience.

License and Certification: 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 the ability to obtain California registration within 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.

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APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

• An online application must be fully completed and 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%), which will be scheduled once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.
• Selection Interview
• Background
• Appointment