Civil Engineer Specialist

Salary : $138,979.36 - $167,997.44 Annually
Location : Santa Barbara, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-1550-01 (O/PW)
Department: Public Works
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 11/27/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description

We are accepting applications to fill one(1) full-time Civil Engineer Specialist vacancy in the Flood Control Division of the Public Works Department in Santa Barbara.
THE POSITION: Under general direction, performs complex, professional civil engineering work requiring advanced engineering knowledge in a specialized area such drainage, roadway, bridge or traffic design; flood control engineering and performs related duties as required.

We are also accepting applications to establish employment lists for future Full-Time, Part-Time, Civil Service Rule 1414* and Extra-Help Civil Engineer Specialist vacancies in All Locations.

*NOTE: Positions vacated as a result of a leave of absence (Civil Service Rule 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.
BENEFITS OVERVIEW

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
• Holidays: 13 days per year.
• Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Click on the Benefits Tab above or for more information on County benefits. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The Civil Engineer Specialist is distinguished from the Civil Engineer by the degree of specialized knowledge and originality of thinking required to complete assignments. The Civil Engineer Specialist is distinguished from the Civil Engineer Manager by the overall responsibility to lead and deliver a variety of projects while working alone or with a dedicated team within the department.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• 7+ years working in any of the engineering specialties described below
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in AutoCAD Civil 3D and HEC-RAS software
• 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
• Experience managing/supervising at least two (2) direct reports
• Ability to prepare and write clear and concise reports, and keep records organized accordingly

Examples of Duties
Designs bridges, flood control structures and similar public works facilities; reviews the work of professional, subprofessional and clerical staff assigned to assist in the planning, design and preparation of drawings, plans, specifications, bids and estimates on specific projects; preparation of hydraulic river modeling using HEC-RAS software; performs inspection as resident engineer for contract administration of complex projects; reviews construction plans and specifications and offers constructive feedback and ideas for improvement; PEER reviews and performs QA/QC checks of colleagues' work, represents the department at meetings and conferences with other agencies and with private organizations; prepares engineering and budgetary reports and recommendations. Supervises County Staff, Manages Consultants and Manages Budgets.

Water Resources - Flood Control District Design Section

1. Design Flood Control improvements, including storm drains, levees, debris basins and open channel structures
2. Management of Professional Services consultant contracts
3. Supervises and reviews the work of professional, technical and clerical staff assigned to assist in the planning, design and preparation of drawings, plans, specifications, bids and estimates on specific projects
4. Represents the department at meetings and conferences and presents technical reports to public, other agencies and private organizations
5. May serve as resident engineer for contract administration of complex projects

General Oversight:

1. Manages and supervises the inspection of contract plans, specifications, estimates and other legal documents for the construction of County funded projects.
2. Performs and supervises program feasibility and cost studies.
3. Performs supervisory duties to direct reports and to others through subordinate supervisors: providing direction, evaluating performance; reviewing and proposing disciplinary action; interviewing applicants and recommending section selections.
4. Reviews and provides guidance on public works projects before reaching management level.
5. Develops measurable performance standards, operation procedures and reporting systems.
6. Prepares engineering and budgetary reports and recommendations.
7. Train, motivate, supervise, mentor, and develop assigned staff.

Employment Standards
Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California is required; AND

1. Minimum of four (4) years of increasingly responsible experience in professional civil engineering; OR,
2. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to the employment standard listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Initial appointment may be based on existing registration in another state with ability to obtain California registration within twelve (12) months of appointment.

Knowledge of: the principles and practices of civil engineering and the ability to apply them to the planning, design, construction and maintenance of transportation, flood control and other public works facilities.

Ability to: prepare correspondence and reports; analyze facts and exercise independent judgement; establish and maintain effective working relations; deal effectively with representatives of other organizations and with the public.

Supplemental Information
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Application Review. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Application Ranking. Applications that meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the information provided on their application. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the application ranking to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list. Human Resources will notify you by mail if your name is removed.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination.

The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.



Kim Clark, HR Specialist,
Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and

Health Benefits

• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit:

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
• Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
• For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)

Miscellaneous Benefits

• County Paid Term Life Insurance
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Childcare and Employee Discounts
• Relocation Assistance may apply
• Flexible work schedule may apply
• For more information on all of these benefits, please visit:

Compensation Summary

• To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit:

*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
01

Please select any federal reimbursement processes you have experience with. Check all that apply:

• FEMA
• FHWA
• None of the above

02

Are you registered as a Professional Engineer in the State of California?

• Yes - I am a registered as a Professional Engineer in the State of California.
• No - I am not registered as a Professional Engineer in the State of California; however, I am registered as a Professional Engineer in another state. I understand that I must obtain California registration within twelve (12) months of appointment.
• No - I