Civil Engineer Specialist

County of Santa Barbara • Santa Barbara, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The County of Santa Barbara is accepting applications for a full-time Civil Engineer Specialist vacancy in the Flood Control Division of the Public Works Department in Santa Barbara, and is establishing employment lists for future full-time, part-time, Civil Service Rule 1414, and extra-help vacancies in all locations. Under general direction, the position performs complex professional civil engineering work requiring advanced knowledge in a specialty such as drainage, roadway, bridge or traffic design, or flood control engineering. The role is distinguished by the specialized knowledge and originality required, and by responsibility for leading and delivering projects independently or with a dedicated team.

In the Water Resources–Flood Control District Design Section, the position designs flood control improvements such as storm drains, levees, debris basins and open-channel structures. It oversees professional services consultant contracts, County staff, project budgets, design and construction documentation, and technical reviews. The role may serve as resident engineer for complex contract administration and represents the department in meetings with public agencies and private organizations.

The Public Works Department includes Transportation, Resource Recovery and Waste Management, Water Resources, the County Surveyor’s Office, and Administration. Its employees provide, operate and maintain public works infrastructure, facilities and services. Applicants must be registered as a Professional Civil Engineer in California, or initially appointed based on registration in another state with the ability to obtain California registration within 12 months. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period and, after a conditional offer, a background check, reference checks and post-offer medical evaluation or examination.

Requirements

• Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California is required. Initial appointment may be based on registration in another state if the appointee can obtain California registration within 12 months of appointment.
• At least four years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of training, education and experience.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles and practices and the ability to apply them to planning, design, construction and maintenance of transportation, flood control and other public works facilities.
• Ability to prepare correspondence and reports, analyze facts, exercise independent judgment, establish and maintain effective working relationships, and deal effectively with representatives of other organizations and the public.

Nice To Haves

• Seven or more years working in any of the engineering specialties described in the posting.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and HEC-RAS software.
• Experience managing or supervising at least two direct reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Dedication and team loyalty, with good judgment.
• Solution-oriented strategic problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple situations occurring simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with diverse people and personalities.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and keep records organized.

Responsibilities

• Design bridges, flood control structures and related public works facilities, including storm drains, levees, debris basins and open-channel structures.
• Prepare or oversee hydraulic river modeling using HEC-RAS.
• Plan, design and prepare drawings, plans, specifications, bids and estimates for projects; review and supervise the work of professional, technical, subprofessional and clerical staff.
• Manage professional services consultant contracts, County staff and project budgets.
• Inspect and manage inspection of contract plans, specifications, estimates and other legal documents for construction of County-funded projects; may serve as resident engineer for complex contract administration.
• Review construction plans and specifications and provide constructive feedback and improvement ideas.
• Conduct peer reviews and quality assurance/quality control checks of colleagues’ work.
• Represent the department at meetings and conferences with other agencies and private organizations, and present technical reports to the public and other organizations.
• Perform and supervise program feasibility and cost studies.
• Prepare engineering and budgetary reports and recommendations.
• Direct staff and others through subordinate supervisors, including providing direction, evaluating performance, reviewing and proposing disciplinary action, and interviewing applicants and recommending section selections.
• Review and guide public works projects before they reach management level.
• Develop measurable performance standards, operating procedures and reporting systems.
• Train, motivate, supervise, mentor and develop assigned staff.
• Prepare correspondence and reports, analyze facts, exercise independent judgment, and maintain effective working relationships with organizations and the public.

Benefits

• 12 to 25 vacation days per year, depending on length of public employment.
• 13 holidays per year.
• 12 days of sick leave per year, with unlimited accumulation; one year of accumulated sick leave may be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Choice of medical and dental plans with vision care; the County contributes toward the employee’s premium.
• On-site employee health clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria providing ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and eligible dependents.
• Applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit toward an advanced vacation accrual rate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed