Salary: $104,811.20 - $128,876.80 Annually
Location : County of San Diego, CA
Job Type: Regular - Full time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works, Dept of, Road
Division: Engineering Services-Rf
Opening Date: 05/26/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Job Summary
CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER
Interviews will take place on an ongoing basis. Job offers will be made after successful completion of interviews.
The starting salary for this position will be based on the candidate's qualifications at time of appointment.

Future Salary Increases

** June 2026 - 6.5% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + 3% Market Adjustment)

** June 2027 - 6% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-Board + 3% Market Adjustment)
As a Construction Engineer with the County of San Diego, you'll have the chance to work on exciting projects that make a real difference in the community. From infrastructure improvements to monitoring the implementation of contractor's stormwater pollution prevention plans, you'll serve as Resident Engineer and perform engineering duties on large and complex construction contracts for Capital Improvement Projects, Landfill or Road Projects, or Private Development. The County of San Diego is committed to providing a supportive work environment, with amazing benefits and opportunities for advancement. If you're ready to take on new challenges and make a lasting impact, the County of San Diego is the perfect place to build your career in construction engineering.
The Position
A Construction Engineer working for the (DPW) could be assigned to the Management Services Division which supports Closed Landfills and Private Roads/Landscape Maintenance where Construction Engineers will work on projects that range from large scale grading operations to asphalt work. A Construction Engineer working in DPW could also be assigned to The Land Development Division, which supports Flood Control, the Watershed Protection Program, or the Private Development Construction inspection unit. Construction Engineers assigned to Flood Control perform reviews of large-scale flood control design and construction projects to private building permits, manage flood control facilities, and respond to public and private drainage inquiries, while Construction Engineers assigned to the Watershed Protection Program, review small residential to large-scale commercial or master-planned communities. Construction Engineers assigned to Private Development Construction Inspection perform a variety of tasks, from reviews and inspection of large-scale permitted utility and private development projects to responding to public referrals of unpermitted right of way encroachments and private property watercourse obstructions. A Construction Engineer working in DPW could also be assigned to the Engineering Services Division which includes Construction Engineering/Materials Lab and the Capital Improvement Program.

A Construction Engineer working for (PDS), Land Development and Building Divisions, will work on exciting projects that make a real difference in the community. From department projects to privately initiated land development projects, you'll serve as Resident Engineer and perform engineering duties, review plans and provide corrections, as well as coordinate project design, and work with the public to explain engineering and other code related specifications.

Read the job description for more information.

Hiring Process and Timeline:
The timeline for this recruitment is outlined below.

1. Job Offer and Background Process begins: Shortly after the interviews.
   Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
2. Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
3. Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.

If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Minimum Qualifications
Education, training, and/or experience, that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above. Qualifying education/experience:
1. At least six (6) years of experience involving the application of civil engineering formulas, theory, and practices to practical engineering problems of modern construction methods, design and inspection procedures, in connection with public works improvement projects; OR,
2. A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field; AND, two (2) years of experience involving the application of civil engineering formulas, theory, and practices to practical engineering problems of modern construction methods, design and inspection procedures, in connection with public works improvement projects; OR,
3. A Master's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field; AND, one (1) year of experience involving the application of civil engineering formulas, theory, and practices to practical engineering problems of modern construction methods, design and inspection procedures, in connection with public works improvement projects; OR,
4. A combination of education and experience as described above.

Note: Some positions in the Department of Public Works may require a Qualified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Developer (QSD) and/or a Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) certificate within one-year of appointment.

Blind Applicant Screening
The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all new recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, will hide a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process will help contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

The most highly qualified candidates, based on the evaluation results, will be referred for an interview. Be sure to include your experience in meeting the minimum requirements in both the Work Experience section and the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the Application.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application Work History and/or supplemental questionnaire.
Conditions of Employment
As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
Evaluation
The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month employment list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained on their employment and supplemental applications.
Please ensure all information is complete and accurate, as the responses you provide on the supplemental application questionnaire will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provide is accurate and qualifying.
Accommodation
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis.
01

PLEASE READ JOB SUMMARY AND REQUIREMENTS BEFORE COMPLETING.Please be sure to answer the following questions in a thorough, complete, and truthful manner, as your responses may be used to determine your overall score.Please do NOT indicate "See Resume" or "See Application" as these are not valid answers.If you are invited to a selection interview(s) by a department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.Please review the minimum qualifications for this position before completing your application.Do you understand this information?

• Yes
• No

02

Please check the box that most closely describes your experience/education.

• At least six (6) years of experience involving the application of civil engineering formulas, theory, and practices to practical engineering problems of modern construction methods, design and inspection procedures, in connection with public works improvement projects
• An associate's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field; AND, four (4) years of experience involving the application of civil engineering formulas, theory, and practices to practical engineering problems of modern construction methods, design and inspection procedures, in connection with public works improvement projects
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency, in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or a closely related field; AND, two (2) years of experience involving the application of civil engineering formulas, theory, and practices to practical engineering problems of modern construction methods, design and inspection procedures, in connection with public works improvement projects
• Any combination of education/coursework and experience as described above.
• None of the above

03

Some positions in the Department of Public Works may require a Qualified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Developer (QSD) and/or a Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) certificate within one-year of appointment.If assigned to a position that requires the certification, you will be required to obtain the certification. Do you understand this information?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have experience with any of the following? Please check all that apply.

• Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Developer (QSD) and/or Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) accompanied by a certificate
• Conducting surveys
• Verifying contractor state licenses, federal and state debarment checks
• Performing constructability reviews
• Large scale grading operations and asphalt work
• Private building permits
• Managing flood control facilities

05

Do you currently possess any of the following certifications? Please select all that apply.Be sure to attach a copy of your certifications during Step 1 of the on line application process.

• Qualified Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) Developer (QSD)
• Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP)
• None of the above

06

Have you served as Resident Engineer performing engineering duties in any of the following? Please select all that apply.

• Large and complex construction contracts/projects
• Small and/or medium size construction contracts/projects
• Grading plan design/review
• Road improvement plan design/review
• Drainage/stormwater prep/rev