Assistant Engineer I/II

Salary: $36.72 - $52.06 Hourly
Location : Eureka, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-00071
Department: Public Works
Division: 321 - Roads-Engineering
Opening Date: 09/22/2026
Closing Date: 10/20/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

DEFINITION
The current opening is a full-time position with benefits in the Construction Section within the Engineering Division of the Department of Public Works. The Construction Section is responsible for managing construction of earthquake and storm damage repair projects; bridge and culvert replacement projects; state and federal transportation improvement projects, including the Safe Routes to School and Highway Safety Improvement Programs; and other construction projects for the Roads and Natural Resources Divisions.
Job Highlights:

The working schedule for this position is typically Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM; however, overtime and/or shifting the working schedule may be necessary for work on certain projects. This position requires work in an office environment and on construction sites, which may include high and low temperatures, adverse weather conditions, and uneven ground, and long periods of standing and/or walking.
This position primarily inspects construction projects to ensure compliance with plans, specifications, and standards. Responsibilities include documenting daily progress through written reports and photographs, calculating payment quantities from field measurements, reviewing certified payroll reports, and preparing as-built drawings.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision (Assistant Engineer I) to direction (Assistant Engineer II), performs a variety of professional engineering field and office work related to the management, planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the County's Capital Improvement Program; prepares specifications and conducts inspections of projects for streets, storm drains, and related structures; performs office and field work related to transportation studies and multimodal planning; prepares applications for and administers grants and other funding; provides project coordination, direction, and review; performs related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision (Assistant Engineer I) and direction (Assistant Engineer II) from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Assistant Engineer I: This is the entry-level classification in the professional Engineer series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform routine professional and technical engineering work in land development, public works infrastructure, and daily departmental operations, in addition to providing project management and administration. As experience is gained, assignments become more varied, complex, and difficult; close supervision and frequent review of work lessen as an incumbent demonstrates skill to perform the work independently. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the Assistant Engineer II level but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.
Assistant Engineer II: This is the journey-level classification in the professional Engineer series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant Engineer I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. This class is distinguished from the Associate Civil Engineer, in that the latter requires registration as a Professional Engineer consistent with regulatory requirements and exercises independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods.
Positions in the Assistant Engineer I/II class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the II level are typically filled by advancement from the I level after gaining the knowledge, skill, and experience which meet the qualifications for, and after demonstrating the ability to perform the work of, the higher-level classification.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignment of different positions.

Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.

• Plans, designs, and inspects all phases of public works projects such as roadway, traffic signal, and storm drainage systems, including defining the scope of the project; securing adequate funding from federal and state grant programs and other funding sources; coordinating with permitting, environmental, and public utility agencies; performing historical document research and review; surveying and engineering analysis of alternatives; preparing plans, specifications, and cost estimates; performing research, map, and field studies and surveys; drafting site plans with specialized computer software; applying engineering principles and practices to specific problems; coordinating construction schedules with other projects and agencies; inspecting construction of projects to ensure compliance with construction documents; and related planning and design work.
• Reviews construction plans prepared by consulting engineers and private contractors to verify compliance with County sidewalk, public utility, and improvement requirements; checks plans for conformance with regulations regarding line, grade, size, elevation, and location of structures; reviews engineering calculations of other engineers or engineering technicians; participates in pre-design, construction, and utility coordination meetings and issues permits for work performed in or on County infrastructure.
• Provides construction administration, management, and inspection of capital projects, including coordinating work with other divisions and County departments, reviewing and inspecting work to ensure conformance with plans and specifications, tracking and maintaining all project accounting, coordinating schedules, and providing public notices of projects.
• Prepares consultant requests for proposal for professional and/or construction services and the advertising and bid processes, including responding to questions; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; prepares submittal packages for legal review.
• Investigates field problems affecting property owners, contractors, and maintenance operations; responds to citizen inquiries and complaints; provides information to the public at the front counter in person, via telephone, or other means of communication regarding grading, permits, right of way and property line information, utility information, slope stability and groundwater issues, improvement plan check, and payment processes.
• Conducts a variety of preliminary materials investigations for design activities; performs geological subsurface investigations and analyzes samples.
• May direct and review the work of technical engineering staff; assists with training technical support staff; may provide input into selection, evaluation and disciplinary matters and other personnel decisions.
• Assists in budget preparation for the assigned projects or programs; monitors annual expenditures; assists in bid procedures.
• Designs roadway structural sections, following established guidelines.
• Prepares detailed drawings, makes calculations and develops recommendations; prepares and writes a variety of technical and administrative reports.
• Reviews plans, tract, parcel maps, and applications for land development projects for conformance to applicable codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Reviews sewer and hydrology studies and hydraulic calculations.
• Meets and confers with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating engineering matters; provides information regarding County development requirements.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
• Drafts a variety of written communications, including analytical reports, correspondence, and revisions to plans, policies, and procedures.
• Drafts memos, resolutions, and project information for the Board of Supervisors.
• Provides technical direction and training to other engineering and technical staff.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge and ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and ordinances relevant to the area(s) of responsibility.
• Civil engineering principles, techniques, policies, and procedures.
• Principles and practices of materials testing engineering, including geology and soil mechanics.
• Methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of public works projects, including water and wastewater systems, storm water, and street design.
• Basic principles, practices, procedures, and standards related to County public works, engineering infrastructure development and maintenance, and surveying.
• General design, layout, and construction practices for public improvements such as streets, storm drains, grading, and landscaping.
• Modern office practices and technology, including personal computer hardware and software application related to the work, such as computer-aided drafting (CAD) concepts and applications, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs.
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to engineering work.
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Safety principles and practices pertaining to the work.
• Grant writing procedures.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of assigned staff.
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
• Apply engineering principles and techniques to evaluate and solve simple to difficult civil engineering problems.
• Prepare, understand, and interpret engineering construction plans, specifications, and other contract documents.
• Conduct comprehensive engineering studies and prepare reports with recommendations.
• Assist in, develop, and administer contracts for professional services and construction in a public agency setting.
• Design engineering projects.
• Read and understand technical drawings and specifications.
• Perform mathematical and engineering computations with precision.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Make engineering design computations and check, design, and prepare engineering plans and studies.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field
and
Assistant Engineer I: None.
Assistant Engineer II: Two (2) years of experience performing increasingly responsible professional civil engineering design and construction work or materials testing at a level equivalent to the County's class of Assistant Engineer I.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Must possess a valid US driver's license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver's license following hire date per California DMV regulations.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend,