Associate Engineer

Salary : $102,502.40 - $137,384.00 Annually
Location : 411 Main Street, Chico, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00536
Department: Public Works Engineering
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 12/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Position Information

The Associate Engineer, under direction, performs professional field and office engineering work related to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the City's capital improvement projects, land development, traffic engineering, and public works infrastructure programs and projects; supports engineering infrastructure projects which include, but is not limited to, water, wastewater, stormwater, facilities parks, street improvements, and the Chico municipal airport; confers with developers, contractors, and representatives of other agencies on assigned projects; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related duties as assigned.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
Job Description

This is the fully qualified journey-level classification in the professional Engineering classification series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant Engineer class 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.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs responsible engineering, administrative engineering, and project management work in Public Works and related functions.
• Prepares plans and specifications for the design, construction, and maintenance/operation of a variety of public works projects including, but not limited to streets, water, wastewater and storm water systems management, parks, facilities, and the Chico municipal airport; ensures conformance to federal, state, and local legal requirements and professional engineering design practices.
• Oversees development of and updates the City's infrastructure programs including the Pavement Management Program, Bridge Program, Safety Improvement Program, Trash Master Plan and Storm Water Master Plan.
• Prepares and/or participates in the preparation and review of preliminary and final engineering plans, cost estimates, cost analysis studies, specifications, and schedules for public works projects.
• Plans, coordinates, and supervises the environmental review, plan checking, and conditional approval of tentative maps and related street improvement plans for various private development projects.
• Reviews subdivision and improvement plans, parcel maps, road and grading plans, and related maps and specifications for accuracy and conformance to established engineering practices and mandated regulations.
• Reviews and provides comments for development projects within the City, ensuring they comply with mandated standards; coordinates with public works and building staff to convey these comments to the applicant.
• Provides information to the public and resolves questions and complaints regarding the interpretation and application of civil, traffic, or land development engineering specifications, codes, rules, and regulations.
• Creates applications and develops procedures for new permits or improvement of existing permits; reviews, approves and issues permits.
• Researches project design requirements and performs related calculations; prepares time and material cost estimates; assists in the preparation of department annual budget estimates.
• Performs field investigations to confirm existing site conditions for proposed project submittals; checks location of water and sewer services, existing private utilities, street and sidewalk conditions, and any potential constraints which may be of concern for the project.
• Serves as project manager or resident engineer on assigned projects; analyzes and resolves design and engineering issues; settles disputes and issues with inspectors, engineers, and contractors; issues task orders; reviews and negotiates change orders for management approval.
• Coordinates public works construction improvements with utility companies and other agencies including relocation, removal, and/or installation of utility improvements.
• Investigates storm water violations affecting property owners and contractors; responds to citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Meets with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating engineering matters; provides information regarding City capital project requirements.
• Observes and complies with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to public works methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of complex public works projects including water, storm water, street, and traffic systems design;
• Civil engineering principles, techniques, policies, and procedures;
• Principles and practices of traffic and transportation engineering and planning;
• Land development principles and associated documentation such as property legal descriptions;
• City procedures for steering land improvement or development project works from inception to approval;
• General design, layout, and construction practices for public improvements such as streets, storm drains, grading, and landscaping;
• Construction management principles and practices;
• Principles and practices of capital improvement program budgeting, cost estimation, funding, and contract administration;
• Principles and practices of project management;
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility;
• Principles and practices of environmental impact assessment and related regulatory processes for assigned projects;
• Contract management practices in a public agency setting;
• Principles and practices of construction management;
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports;
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to engineering work;
• Project documentation development techniques including drafting, mapping, drawings, and specifications;
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the engineering, development, and construction fields;
• Recordkeeping principles and procedures;
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols;
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City 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:

• Perform a variety of professional engineering duties in support of the City's capital improvement and land development projects;
• Prepare complex engineering computations and check, design, and oversee the preparation of various engineering plans and reports;
• Utilize advanced engineering techniques to evaluate complex project design or construction issues.
• Prepare accurate estimates of costs, schedules, materials, and personnel resources required for assigned projects;
• Gather, analyze, and interpret a variety of complex technical data;
• Plan and coordinate environmental review, plan checking, and conditional approval of tentative maps and related street improvement plans for various private development projects;
• Prepare specifications, reports, correspondence, plans, plats, petitions, diagrams, profiles, and cross sections, and material and cost estimates;
• Read and interpret maps, plans, sketches, schematics, diagrams, and blueprints;
• Serve as project manager on engineering and construction projects;
• Oversee and coordinate the work of contracted service providers;
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner;
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed;
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports;
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines;
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• 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.

Education and Experience:

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:

Education:

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related engineering field

Experience:

• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering program experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California, to be maintained throughout employment.

The City of Chico offers a wide range of employee benefits. Benefits are subject to negotiations with employee organizations and may vary with individual bargaining units. For a summary of benefits, please visit the City of Chico website at:
01

All applications must include a resume. Failure to attach a resume to your application will result in denial of application. Please select "yes" acknowledging that you have read and understand this requirement.

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of professional-level civil engineering work experience do you have?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year to less than 2
• 2 years to less than 3
• 3 years to less than 4
• 4 years to less than 5
• 5 or more years

03

Do you possess education equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree with major course work in Civil Engineering or a related field. If yes, please list the area of study.
04

Do you hold a valid registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in California?

• Yes
• No

Required Question