Engineer I/ II - Capital Improvement Program & Engineer I/II - Land Development

Salary : $98,176.00 - $155,355.20 Annually
Location : City Hall, 505 S. Vulcan Avenue, Encinitas, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 26-56
Department: Engineering
Opening Date: 10/28/2026
Closing Date: 11/19/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

The Position
The City of Encinitas is seeking motivated and talented engineers to join the Engineering Department. This recruitment will fill two Engineer I/II vacancies: one in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Division and one in the Land Development Division. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to projects that enhance public infrastructure, support responsible community development, and improve the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
While both positions perform professional and technical engineering and project management work, the focus of each assignment differs.

The CIP Engineer will oversee public infrastructure projects through planning, design, construction and maintenance of capital improvement and administrative projects. Responsibilities include preparing and reviewing engineering plans, specifications, cost estimates, and construction change orders, as well as providing technical assistance to higher-level engineering staff.

The Land Development Engineer will focus on reviewing private development projects for compliance with city engineering standards, evaluating engineering plans and technical studies, coordinating with applicants and consultants, and guiding development projects through the entitlement and permitting process. Both positions play a vital role in shaping Encinitas' infrastructure and future growth while collaborating with residents, developers, consultants, contractors, and other city departments.

Examples of Important & Essential Duties (included but not limited to)

• Preparing and reviewing engineering plans, technical reports, hydrology and hydraulic calculations, and stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Applying the City of Encinitas Engineering Design Manual, San Diego Regional Standard Drawings, and applicable municipal engineering standards.
• Managing the scope, schedule, budget, and quality of a variety of projects and studies.
• Responding to inquiries from citizens, contractors, developers, consultants, city departments, and other stakeholders regarding engineering projects, traffic issues, and city codes and standards.
• Communicating effectively with applicants, consultants, contractors, other city departments, and members of the public.
• Preparing staff reports and resolutions for the planning commission, city council, and other public bodies.
• Representing the department by coordinating and attending meetings, public events, and speaking engagements.
• Delivering presentations in public meeting settings, including city council and planning commission meetings.

In addition to the qualifications listed above, each assignment has areas of specialized responsibility and preferred experience.

Engineers assigned to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Division will primarily support the delivery of public infrastructure projects and should possess knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Preparing and reviewing PS&E packages including plans, specifications, and cost estimates.

• Preparing, reviewing, and participating in the selection process for Requests for Proposals and Requests for Qualifications.

• Reviewing and recommending approval of construction changes and change orders
• Managing multiple projects in various phases of design, permitting and construction.

Engineers assigned to the Land Development Division will primarily support the review and coordination of private development projects and should possess knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Land development engineering, including grading, drainage, stormwater management, erosion control, and public improvements.
• Understanding the California Subdivision Map Act, subdivision and parcel map processing, easements, and public right-of-way requirements.
• Applying applicable stormwater regulations, including local BMP design requirements and NPDES requirements.
• Managing multiple development applications, technical reviews, and competing deadlines.

Experience in municipal engineering or private-sector land development consulting is highly desirable.

Minimum Qualifications
Training and Experience(position requirements at entry):

Bachelor's degree in engineering, or Engineer in Training Certification, plus two years of post-graduate engineering experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Licensing Requirements(position requirements at entry):

• Engineer-In-Training Certification.

Professional Development
Candidates should demonstrate an interest in continued professional development. Engineer I candidates who are not yet licensed as Professional Engineers are encouraged to be actively pursuing California Civil PE licensure. Engineer II candidates should possess a California Civil PE license consistent with the City's classification requirements.
Application Process and Deadline
A completed application with an attached resume and cover letter is required by 5pm on Thursday, November 19, 2026.

*** Incomplete application packets will not be reviewed ***

Candidates may indicate their preference for the Capital Improvement Program Division, Land Development Division, or both. The City reserves the right to place candidates in the division that best matches their qualifications and departmental needs.
For any inquiries regarding this recruitment process, please contact us at Please note that all applications must be submitted online through this portal in order to be considered.
Notes:

The above job description is intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.
Provisions of the California Government Code and Emergency Services Act declare all public employees to be disaster service workers. As disaster service workers, all public employees (except legally employed aliens), are subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Incumbents in a safety-sensitive position are subject to pre-placement drug testing.
Incumbents may be asked to travel on City business. They may use their own vehicle being eligible for mileage reimbursement or a City vehicle, and are required to be in the Department of Motor Vehicles Pull Program.
City of Encinitas & San Dieguito Water District
2026 Benefits Summary
Service Employees International Union, Local 221 (SEIU)

Cafeteria Health Plan
The employer's "Flexible Benefit Plan" contribution will make available for each employee a monthly amount equal to the high median of the monthly premiums of all CalPERS health plans available in San Diego County. Under the City's Section 125 Cafeteria Benefits Plan qualified benefits include: health, dental, vision, dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) and healthcare FSA. The remaining balance is available as additional taxable income capped at one-half of the monthly cafeteria contribution

Retirement
The City contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS):

Retirement Tier - Local Miscellaneous Retirement Formula
Tier 2 - Classic2.0% @ 60
Tier 3 - New Member2.0% @ 62
Retirement Tier - Other Safety (Lifeguards)Retirement Formula
Tier 2 - Classic3.0% @ 55
Tier 3 - New Member2.7% @ 57
457 Deferred Compensation
The City offers a 457 and/or 401(a) deferred compensation. These accounts are voluntary and employee funded.

Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
The City provides Basic Group Term Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D). Group Term Life Insurance is equal to 1x your basic annual earnings up to a maximum of $150,000. AD&D is up to the amount of your Group Term Life Insurance.

Short-Term Disability Insurance (STD)
STD benefits are 70% of your weekly earnings up to a maximum of $3,500 per week.

Long-Term Disability Insurance (LTD)
LTD benefits are 66% of monthly earnings up to a maximum of $8,000 per month. San Dieguito Water District employees pay for their LTD premium.

Sick Leave
Employees accrue nine (9) hours of sick leave for each calendar month of paid status (4.153 hours per pay period). New employees are granted a beginning balance of (9) hours. Less than full time employees accrue sick leave in an amount prorated by FTE status. Accrued sick leave carries over from year to year.

Vacation Leave
Employees earn vacation hours based on the following years of service:

Years of Service Annual Accrual
Hire - 5 Years 104 hours
6 - 10 Years 128 hours
11 - 15 Years 152 hours
16+ Years 184 hours

Credit is given to new employees for related continuous prior public service employment at the rate of one year for every two years worked.

Paid Leave for Family Member Illness
Each new full-time employee is granted a beginning balance of fourteen (14) hours of paid time off to attend to family member(s) in need of the employee's assistance in times of illness or parental leave to bond with a new child; 1.3846 hours of additional paid leave is accrued each pay period. The maximum accrual is about eighty three (83) hours.

Parental Leave (Baby Bonding)
Employees who qualify for California Family Rights Act (CFRA) baby bonding will be eligible for twelve (12) weeks of employer paid leave. Available leave is prorated based on FTE status.

General Election Leave
Employees shall be provided a half day of paid leave to vote at the employee's polling location or a full day of paid leave to volunteer for the County Registrar of Voters for a General Election.

Holiday Closure
Each year, City Hall is closed from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day.

Holidays
Employees receive thirteen (13) fixed holidays and five (5) floating holidays (45 hours) per fiscal year.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Confidential services are available to employees and household members to assist with personal and professional issues. Five sessions per issue are available each calendar year.

Computer Purchase Program
The City will loan employees who successfully complete the probationary period of employment an interest free loan of up to $3,000.

Tuition Assistance
Eligible employees may receive up to $1,200 in reimbursement per fiscal year for approved coursework tuition, required textbooks and registration.

Social Security and Medicare
The City does not participate in the Social Security program. The City and employees each pay 1.45% to Medicare Insurance.

This document is intended to provide a general summary of benefits available to employees of the City of Encinitas and San Dieguito Water District. Exact benefits an employee is entitled to receive are determined by the City Council through collective bargaining agreements between the City and the union representing the employee's classification, as well as through various Resolutions and Ordinances. If there is a conflict between the information in this summary and the official plans/contracts, the official documents will prevail.
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