Associate Engineer (Design Option)

City of Chula Vista • Chula Vista, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Engineer is a full journey-level position performing complex engineering work on a range of projects. The role may act with greater independence, complete assigned projects or programs, coordinate other professional and technical staff as needed, and perform related duties. Positions are normally filled through advancement from Assistant Engineer, or from outside candidates with prior experience. The current vacancy is in the Design section of the Engineering & Capital Projects Department, which designs and delivers the City’s Capital Improvement Projects, prepares and reviews engineering plans, specifications, and cost estimates, and coordinates project bidding and contract awards. The recruitment may also be used to fill other vacancies in the department. The position is scheduled to receive a 5% salary adjustment in the first full pay period of January 2027.

Core duties include designing public works improvements; preparing and reviewing plans, specifications, estimates, maps, and related documents; coordinating project construction and land development activities; communicating with the public and project stakeholders; attending meetings and making presentations; and preparing reports and correspondence. Assignments may be in Design, Traffic Engineering, or Inspection Services and Building Construction.

In Traffic Engineering assignments, the position maintains the City’s traffic signal computer system and related equipment, analyzes traffic characteristics and flow, develops signal timing plans, troubleshoots system and equipment issues, and supports installation, testing, documentation, and staff training.

In Inspection Services and Building Construction assignments, the position manages routine public works construction projects, supports construction work in progress, reviews submittals and land development plans, responds to contractor inquiries, prepares change orders and payment estimates, supervises consultant work, and manages project budgets.

Work is primarily performed indoors in an air-conditioned office, with movement between offices and exposure to outdoor conditions during meetings or field inspections. The work includes extended periods at a desk, frequent interruptions, and occasional physical activity such as walking, standing, bending, reaching, and lifting light weight.

Requirements

• Two years of civil engineering experience and training equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field, or possession of an Engineer-in-Training Certificate in the State of California.
• Knowledge of basic principles, practices, and facilities used in civil or structural engineering, soil engineering, municipal engineering, design, construction and maintenance, and topographical construction surveying.
• Knowledge of state laws and local ordinances relating to engineering projects.
• Knowledge of English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of computer equipment and software applications related to the assignment.
• Ability to prepare plans and specifications and review estimates.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data pertaining to engineering projects.
• Ability to read and interpret laws, ordinances, related documents, maps, and blueprints.
• Ability to operate computer equipment and software applications related to the assignment.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people contacted in the course of work.
• Ability to work tactfully and effectively with people from various cultural and ethnic groups.
• For Traffic Engineering assignments: knowledge of traffic signal control strategies and optimization theory, including signal timing fundamentals.
• For Traffic Engineering assignments: knowledge of electrical and electronic theory and practices, including analog and digital solid-state devices; maintenance practices for computerized traffic timing and control devices; and safety precautions for complex electrical and electromechanical equipment.
• For Traffic Engineering assignments: ability to perform complex maintenance and adjustment of City traffic signal computer systems using electronic test and soldering equipment; plan, estimate, coordinate, and monitor system maintenance; and operate and maintain traffic signal timing equipment.
• For Traffic Engineering assignments: ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, plans, and specifications; recommend signal timing optimizations and system selections or upgrades; and troubleshoot systems and make signal timing adjustments.
• For Traffic Engineering assignments: ability to use traffic signal optimization software such as SYNCHRO and LINKVIEW.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex engineering designs and prepare preliminary and final engineering plans, specifications, and cost estimates for storm drains, streets, sanitary sewers, and related structures.
• Perform engineering calculations for hydrology and hydraulic structures, land surveys, and highway and street alignments.
• Prepare and supervise preparation of legal descriptions and grant deeds for easements and street rights-of-way.
• Participate in right-of-way negotiations and acquisitions.
• Investigate and check tentative and final subdivision maps for accuracy, design, completeness, and compliance with local ordinances and the State Subdivision Map Act.
• Design and coordinate construction of improvement projects.
• Review improvement and grading plans for composition and accuracy.
• Provide written and oral information to the public, contractors, developers, and other engineers.
• Attend meetings and make presentations to committees, commissions, professional groups, and community groups.
• Write Council agenda statements, reports, and correspondence as required.
• Conduct studies related to planning public works facilities.
• May assist in providing staff training.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, City employees, and the public using good customer service principles.
• When assigned to Traffic Engineering, maintain the City’s traffic signal computer system and repair and maintain complex electronic traffic control equipment.
• Troubleshoot communication lines between field microprocessors and the office microcomputer; monitor the system and upload or download control parameters as needed.
• Review and analyze traffic characteristics, study intersection traffic flow, develop timing plans and strategies, and calculate plans at the system control level.
• Respond to requested studies of emergency traffic situations.
• Repair printed circuit boards and replace traffic signal equipment components.
• Maintain the computer database of signal timing parameters and evaluate system effectiveness using Moving Vehicle Survey results.
• Troubleshoot and test traffic signal safety monitor modules to ensure they meet City specifications.
• Assist Traffic Devices Technicians with pre-installation equipment testing for new traffic signal installations.
• Prepare signal timing documentation for the central computer database.
• Train Traffic Signal and Lighting Technicians in signal timing and control equipment testing and repair; prepare training materials.
• Recommend hardware modules and test devices for intersection controllers.
• When assigned to Inspection Services and Building Construction, manage routine public works construction projects and coordinate with City departments, residents, and other constituencies.
• Provide engineering support for construction in progress, including site investigations, to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, and material standards.
• Review construction submittals and respond to contractor requests for information.
• Prepare construction contract change orders and payment estimates for contractors and consultants.
• Review land development and grading plans for completeness and compliance with City standards.
• Prepare engineering correspondence, interoffice memos, reports, cost estimates, construction contract documents, and requests for proposals for building and construction projects.
• Supervise and direct consultant work and manage project budgets.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Additional compensation of 5% for eligible employees who become registered by the State of California as a Professional Civil Engineer, Professional Traffic Engineer, Land Surveyor, or Licensed Architect when registration is not required for their position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level