Salary: $145,000.00 - $150,000.00 Annually
Location : El Centro, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Department: Public Works
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 07/29/2026

Job Description

Summary:
Under administrative direction of the Director of Public Works, the Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer assists in planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the engineering functions of the Public Works Department; performs professional engineering work in the design, review, budgeting, and construction of the City's capital improvement and infrastructure programs; oversees land development review activities including tentative and final maps, site plan reviews, lot line adjustments, grading permits, and encroachment permits; manages traffic capital improvement projects including road rehabilitations, pavement management, and traffic signals; provides engineering support to water and sewer infrastructure projects; supervises assigned engineering staff; acts as Director of Public Works in the department head's absence; and performs related responsibilities as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics:
The Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer is a registered professional engineer classification that performs with a broad range of independence within legal, policy, and procedural parameters. This position reports directly to the Director of Public Works and provides functional supervision and technical direction to the Associate / Assistant Engineer, Engineering Technicians, and associated engineering staff. The Deputy Public Works Director/ City Engineer is distinguished from the Director of Public Works in that the latter has overall management responsibility for all departmental divisions, including engineering, public works administration, water, sewer, mechanic shop and facilities. The Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer acts on behalf of the Director of Public Works during absences and may represent the Department in meetings with developers, consultants, contractors, City staff, outside agencies, and the public.
Essential Job Functions

Essential Job Functions:
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.
Land Development and Plan Review:

• Reviews and processes tentative maps, final maps, parcel maps, and parcel map waivers for compliance with the Subdivision Map Act, City Municipal Code, and applicable engineering standards.
• Reviews and processes site plan reviews, lot line adjustments, grading permits, and encroachment permits; evaluates development applications for engineering compliance and imposes conditions of approval as appropriate.
• Reviews improvement plans, grading plans, drainage studies, hydrology reports, and soils reports submitted by private developers and consultants.
• Administers and monitors subdivision improvement agreements and development impact fee programs; coordinates plan check activities with Building, Planning, and other City departments.
• Meets with developers, engineers, architects, property owners, and members of the public to discuss proposed projects, engineering requirements, conditions of approval, and City standards.

Capital Improvement Program - Transportation:

• Plans, manages, and administers the City's Traffic Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including road rehabilitation, pavement management, and traffic signal projects.
• Prepares and manages project scopes, schedules, budgets, and cost estimates for capital improvement projects; monitors expenditures and ensures projects are delivered within budget and on schedule.
• Prepares and oversees the preparation of bid documents, plans, specifications, and contract documents for public works construction projects; administers the competitive bidding process and evaluates bids; recommends contract awards.
• Provides construction administration and inspection oversight for capital improvement projects; monitors contractor performance and ensures compliance with contract documents, City standards, and applicable regulations.
• Pursues and administers grant funding from federal, State, and local sources for transportation and capital improvement projects; ensures compliance with grant requirements and reporting obligations; participates in regional transportation planning efforts.

Water and Sewer Infrastructure Support:

• Provides engineering support and technical assistance to Public Works divisions for water treatment and distribution and sewer treatment and collection infrastructure projects, including design review, construction oversight, and coordination with utilities and regulatory agencies.
• Reviews engineering plans and specifications for water and sewer improvement projects submitted by developers and contractors; evaluates projects for compliance with applicable codes, standards, and permit conditions.
• Assists in the investigation and resolution of utility infrastructure issues; prepares technical reports and recommendations related to water and sewer system improvements.

Administration and Departmental Support:

• Assists in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Prepares and presents staff reports, technical studies, and recommendations to the City Council, commissions, and other bodies as required.
• Assists in the preparation of the engineering division's operating and capital improvement budgets; monitors expenditures and identifies cost recovery opportunities.
• Prepares and directs the preparation of a variety of technical and administrative reports, correspondence, and written materials related to engineering activities.
• Coordinates and confers with representatives of other City departments, public agencies, utilities, and outside organizations on engineering matters.
• Monitors and interprets changes in laws, codes, and regulations related to engineering operations; evaluates impacts on City activities and recommends policy or procedural adjustments.
• Attends all City Council meetings and other committee meetings, as necessary.
• Acts as Director of Public Works in the absence of the department head.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

The preceding activities have been provided as examples of the essential functions of work performed by positions assigned to this job classification. The City reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind work assignments as needed.
Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of civil engineering as applied to public works design, construction, and maintenance.
• Methods, materials, and techniques used in the planning, design, and construction of streets, traffic signals, water distribution systems, sewer collection systems, drainage facilities, and related public infrastructure.
• California Subdivision Map Act; subdivision agreements, improvement securities, and conveyances; parcel map waiver processes; and development impact fee programs.
• Traffic engineering principles; pavement management and road rehabilitation methods; traffic signal design and operations.
• Grant funding programs applicable to municipal public works, including federal and State transportation funding sources; grant application and administration requirements.
• Pertinent federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances governing public works engineering, land development, and environmental compliance.
• Principles and practices of capital improvement budgeting, cost estimating, and expenditure control.
• Principles and practices of effective supervision, personnel management, training, and performance evaluation.
• Methods for preparing engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates, bid documents, and contract documents.
• Principles of public agency procurement and the California Public Contract Code.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, manage, and coordinate the activities of the engineering division, including land development review, capital improvement programs, and infrastructure support functions.
• Review, analyze, and interpret engineering plans, specifications, reports, and studies; apply sound engineering judgment in evaluating compliance with standards and regulations.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation of clear, accurate, and comprehensive staff reports, technical studies, bid documents, and administrative correspondence.
• Effectively represent the Department before the City Council, commissions, boards, outside agencies, developers, contractors, and the public.
• Supervise, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned engineering and administrative staff; administer discipline as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, staff, developers, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and the public.
• Work independently with minimal direction within established legal, policy, and procedural parameters.
• Operate a variety of technical software applications including GIS, CAD systems, project management tools, and spreadsheet programs.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in a clear and professional manner.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional civil engineering experience, including at least two (2) years in administrative or supervisory capacity and experience in capital improvement project management, land development review, and construction administration. Public agency experience is strongly preferred.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Required:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.

Desired:

• A Master's degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or Business Administration is highly desirable.
• Experience with MS4 Stormwater permit compliance and NPDES requirements.
• Experience administering federally funded public works projects (Caltrans Local Assistance, FHWA, or similar).

LICENSING/ CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Required:

• Registration as a Civil Engineer in the State of California (PE license required).
• Current California C Driver's License and acceptable driving record must be maintained.

Desirable:

• California Land Surveyor license

Special Requirements

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, CONDITIONS, AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is routinely performed in an office environment, with periodic field work at construction sites, development projects, and inspection locations involving exposure to varying weather conditions, uneven terrain, and construction hazards.
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers to operate a keyboard and office equipment; frequently required to reach forward, upward, and downward with hands and arms.
• Required to drive City vehicles; frequently required to stand on concrete, asphalt, and soft soil surfaces.
• Frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or sit to perform duties; may occasionally be required to use a ladder.
• Frequently required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.
• The work may require extended hours, evenings, or irregular hours to meet deadlines or respond to emergencies.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED:

• Personal computer, copier, fax and other office equipment; pens, pencils and other office tools.
• City Vehicles
• Radios, cell phones and/or other communication devices.

The City of El Centro offers a competitive compensation package which include medical, dental vision, life insurance, mental health counseling, short-term and long-term disability. Total compensation includes not only your salary, but also the benefits paid by the City on your behalf. These City provided benefits add significantly to the overall value of your compensation.

Benefits

• Health Insurance is available at a shared cost. The City will subsidize a percentage of the medical premium and employee is responsible for the rest. The percentage subsidized by the City depends on coverage plan chosen
• All plans include vision and dental insurance
• Basic life Insurance is fully subsidized by the City. (The coverage amount varies depending on the position classification and resolution with the City)
• Optional Supplemental Life and Dependent Insurance is available at the employee's expense.
• Worker's Compensation is paid by the City
• Deferred Compensation (457b Plan) is available at the employee's expense
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $1,000 per calendar year subject to pre-approval and availability of funds

Pay Practices
This position is paid on a biweekly basis.

Retirement
CalPERS - Employee/Employer contributions.

Holidays
15 paid holidays per year. The City recognizes the following holidays:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• President's Day
• ½ Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Veteran's Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Friday after Thanksgiving
• ½ December 24th
• Christmas Day
• ½ December 31st
• Birthday Holiday

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Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major