Salary : $105,331.20 - $155,750.40 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Regular
Job Number: N018H
Department: Planning and Building
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: 7/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 85

Description
The County of San Mateo Planning & Building Department is seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Assistant / Associate Drainage Engineer

Under general supervision, perform a variety of professional civil engineering services in such areas as planning and design of private and public planning and building projects, including residential and commercial buildings, parks, and landscaping projects.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Assistant Engineer is the entry or trainee-level class of this series. Under immediate supervision, employees perform first-level professional civil engineering field and office work while acting in a trainee capacity in connection with the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of a wide variety of private and public planning and building projects. This class is flexibly staffed with an Associate Engineer, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating necessary proficiency.

Associate Engineer is the journey level class of this series, responsible for routine office or field projects. Employees are expected to be fully competent to independently perform a full range of duties requiring a high level of technical expertise and some periodic supervisory responsibilities. Employees may also serve as a resident engineer on construction projects.

The ideal candidate will possess and have knowledge of:

• Stormwater management and treatment practices, including green infrastructure and low-impact development measures to reduce runoff and prevent stormwater pollution.
• C.3 and C.6 requirements of the Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit.
• Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California is desirable.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.
Examples Of Duties

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Gather, compile, and compute data using engineering, drafting, and calculating instruments and techniques to prepare designs, plans, estimates, technical reports, and specifications for the construction, alterations, maintenance, and operations of a variety of engineering projects.
• Conduct drainage plan reviews on planning and building permit applications.
• Serve as resident engineer on routine construction projects.
• Perform duties as the chief of party engaged in making surveys.
• Prepare designs, plans, and specifications for routine projects.
• Assist in drafting and preparing instructions for bidders, proposals, affidavits, bonds, specifications, change orders, and other documents and reports involved in the construction of engineering projects.
• Ensure County compliance with the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
• Update ordinances, regulations, and policy manuals as needed to comply with changing State, regional, and local requirements.
• Inspect construction projects for conformance with specifications, safety standards, and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Conduct economic cost and quantity estimates for assigned projects.
• Supervise subordinate personnel in a variety of capacities.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
Assistant Engineer: Bachelor's degree in civil engineering OR twenty-four (24) semester units in civil engineering courses and three years of civil engineering experience in office, field or survey party work OR possession of an Engineer in Training Certificate.
Associate Engineer: Two years of professional civil engineering experience which has included field and office work in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of a variety of civil engineering projects.

Knowledge of:

• Civil engineering practices and procedures, including design and construction methods and techniques.
• Strength, properties, and uses of materials and hydraulics.
• Civil engineering design and drafting principles.
• Surveying methods.
• Methods, materials, and equipment used in civil engineering projects.
• Methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in civil engineering construction work.
• Construction inspection techniques.
• Hydraulics and strength of materials.
• Principles of engineering as they apply to public works projects.
• Engineering mathematics and its application to engineering problems.

Skill/Ability to:

• Inspect civil engineering work in progress.
• Prepare clear, concise correspondence and reports.
• Comply with safety procedures.
• Supervise subordinate staff.
• Perform engineering calculations and routine design work.
• Solve surveying problems.
• Prepare neat and accurate maps, drawings, notes, and reports.
• Operate survey equipment.

Licensure/Certification:
Some positions require possession of a class C California driver's license or equivalent.

Note: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed above are related to job duties as defined under Distinguishing Characteristics.
Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.

Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions (weight: pass/fail). Candidates who pass the application screening may be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations, or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California, and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the"Apply"button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to http://jobs.smcgov.orgto apply.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: July 20 - 24, 2026
Civil Service Panel Interview: August 5 and/ or 6, 2026

01

NOTE: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the supplemental questions below. Your responses will give us additional information about your background and experience related to this position and will be used in the selection process. Be concise, yet thorough, and specific. Neatness, clarity of expression and the ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.

• Check this box to indicate you have read and understand this information and to proceed to the supplemental questions.

02

Do you possess an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate? (A "no" answer will not disqualify you from the process.)

• Yes
• No

03

If YES to the previous question, indicate (A) EIT Certificate number and (B) Date issued.(Type "N/A" if you answered "no" to the previous question.)
04

Do you possess a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California? (A "no" answer will not disqualify you from the process.)

• Yes
• No

05

If you are a registered Civil Engineer in the State of California, please provide the following information: (A) license number and (B) date issued. (Type "N/A" if you are not a registered Civil Engineer in California.)
06

Select one response that best describes your highest level of education in Civil Engineering. (Be prepared to provide verification of graduation/certification if requested.)

• I possess a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering
• I have a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering
• None of the above

07

Do you possess a California driver's license?

• Yes
• No

08

If YES to the previous question, provide the number and expiration date.
09

Describe your relevant civil engineering experience. In your response, please address the following: (A) Number of years of experience. (B) Specific projects you worked on relevant to the position you are applying for. (C) Your level of involvement, role, and responsibilities in each project. (D) The technical activities you performed.
10

Describe your work experience in the following areas. (A) Drainage design and inspections experience specific to development projects. (B) Compliance with Regional Water Board Requirements for development, including low-impact development and biotreatment. (C) Erosion Control and Best Management Practice. (D) General software applications for word processing, project scheduling, project management, email and spreadsheets.
11

Describe your experience in a customer-focused environment. Give an example that best demonstrates your ability to explain engineering, stormwater treatment/runoff control, or construction-related processes and procedures to people with varying degrees of or no familiarity with the field.
12

Describe your professional experience in the following areas. A) Reviewing geotechnical reports and construction for structures in high seismic zones. B) Design, review, and/or inspection of foundations and soil retaining structures in areas with seismic hazards. C) Earthquake-resistant foundation design and soil liquefaction-related design and construction methods. (Type N/A if no experience. A "N/A" answer will not disqualify you from the process)
13

How did you learn about this position?

• County of San Mateo Website
• County of San Mateo Job Interest Card Notification
• County Hosted Virtual Event
• County Hosted Job Fair
• CalOpps.org
• Civic Match
• College/University Career Center
• Community-based Organization Posting
• Facebook/Instagram
• Friend or Relative
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Professional Publication/Website (Please specify in next question)
• X (formerly called Twitter)
• Zip Recruiter
• Other (Please specify in next question)

14

If you answered, "Professional Publication/Website" or "Other" to the above question, please indicate below how you learned about this position. Your response to this question will help us in better marketing County jobs. Type NA if not applicable.
Required Question