Salary : $138,415.68 - $168,247.04 Annually
Location : San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-L16-D
Department: Department of Planning and Development Services
Opening Date: 09/30/2026
Closing Date: 10/15/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 14

Description

Under direction, to supervise and perform responsible professional field and office engineering and surveying work in connection with the location, design, construction and maintenance of public works; and to participate in a variety of services and special studies requiring the application of professional knowledge and skills.

The Department of Planning and Development is seeking a dynamic Associate Civil Engineer to assist the team in the design and/or plan check of plans for grading, drainage, and stormwater runoff treatment and mitigation for the development of private roads, commercial, educational campuses, multi-residential, as well as both large and small single-family residential developments located in varied terrain. This position will work in the Land Development Engineering section within the Development Services Division.

In addition to candidate's meeting employment standards, they must possess in-depth knowledge and working experience in two (2) or more of the following areas.

• Experience in Civil Engineering Land Development designing, reviewing, and/or managing projects, such as construction, in a public agency and/or as a private consulting engineer.
• Experience in the design and/or coordination of Land Development projects with respect to the Subdivision Map Act and/or subdivision of real property.
• Experience in the design and/or plan check of plans for Land Development Projects with respect to grading, drainage, and stormwater runoff treatment (NPDES) requirements.
• Experience in the design and/or plan check for the development of private road, commercial, educational campuses, multi-residential, as well as both large and small single-family residential developments located in varied terrain.

Typical Tasks

• Assigns work, gives instructions and passes upon engineering problems in connection with standards and designs involved in maintaining and constructing roads and highways, buildings, drainage facilities, bridges and other public works projects;
  
• Determines routes, alignment and grades for roads, and calculates earthwork quantities for excavation and filling;
  
• Makes estimates of materials needed for construction work;
  
• Directs other engineering personnel in preparing final plans and maps;
  
• Supervises the preparation of detailed drawings and specifications;
  
• Writes reports and makes estimates of a specialized nature in connection with various engineering projects;
  
• Makes preliminary designs and estimates for determining budgetary needs for construction and maintenance activities;
  
• And performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Training and experience equivalent to graduation from college with major work in civil engineering or a related field and four years of experience in highway or public works engineering.

Registration as a civil engineer in the State of California at the time of appointment.

Knowledge of:

• The methods, materials and equipment used in public works construction and in surveying for and planning such construction;
  
• Modern standards of alignment and grade of highways;
  
• Structural design of highway, drainage and other public works structures;
  
• Topographical and construction surveying;
  
• Accurate mapping methods;
  
• Principles of supervision and training.

Ability to:

• Supervise and review the work of others;
  
• Inspect plans for the methods of construction;
  
• Perform design and lay-out work;
  
• Prepare specifications and write technical reports;
  
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun.

Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Name of employer
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Number of hours worked per week
e) Job duties performed

A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Vague, incomplete, or non-responsive answers could result in no or low scores in a Competitive Rating process. Do you understand this requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• High School or GED equivalent
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• None of the Above

03

Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited college or university in Civil Engineering or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

04

If you responded "yes" to the previous question, please indicate the name of the college or university you graduated from, the level of your degree, and the field of your degree.If you answered "no" to the previous question, please indicate N/A.
05

This position requires current registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State of California at the time of appointment. Do you possess current registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State of California?

• Yes
• No

06

If you responded "yes" to the previous question, please list your Civil Engineer license number and expiration date. Please attach proof of the license. Proof can be obtained from the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) website If you do not possess this license, type N/A.
07

How many years of full-time experience do you possess in highway or public works engineering?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four years to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

08

Describe your experience in highway or public works engineering.Be detailed and specific in your response. Include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
09

Please select the categories of civil engineering where you have applicable professional-level work experience (check all that apply):

• Designing, reviewing, and/or managing Land Development projects such as construction, in a public agency and/or as a private consulting engineer
• Land Development projects with respect to Subdivision Map Act/Subdivision of real property
• Designing and/or plan checking for Land Development projects with respect to grading, drainage, and stormwater runoff treatment (NPDES) requirements
• Designing and/or plan checking for the development of private road, commercial, educational campuses, multi-residential, as well as both large and small single-family residential developments located in varied terrain
• None of the above

10

For any of the selections made in the previous question, please describe your experience.Be detailed and specific in your response. Include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties. If no experience, type N/A.
11

Please select the computer applications that you are proficient in using:

• AutoCAD
• ARCGIS
• Bluebeam
• Google Earth
• Microsoft Project
• Virtual Project Manager
• None of the Above

12

For any of the selections made in the previous question, please describe your experience.Be detailed and specific in your response. Include the name of employer(s), job title(s), dates of employment, number of hours worked per week, and job duties in relation to the computer applications. If no experience, type N/A.
13

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

14

How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.
Required Question