Engineer - Planning

Rancho California Water District

• $132K — $212K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil, Mechanical, or Environmental Engineering required.
  • 3+ years of engineering experience with public agencies or water utilities required.
  • Professional Engineer registration in California is desirable.
  • Strong understanding of water resources concepts and ability to analyze complex issues.
  • Experience presenting technical concepts to governing boards.

Responsibilities

  • Support feasibility and planning-level studies on water resources.
  • Utilize and enhance hydraulic models for infrastructure decision-making.
  • Assist with asset management initiatives and hydraulic model integration.
  • Develop condition assessment protocols with the Operations Division.
  • Evaluate groundwater banking programs and audit water loss.

Benefits

  • Fully covered medical, dental, vision, and life insurance for employees.
  • CalPERS pension enrollment for retirement benefits.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare expenses available.
  • 9/80 work schedule offering a hybrid work option based on needs.
  • Accrued vacation and sick leave starting on the first day of employment.
Full Job Description
Salary : $132,329.60 - $212,825.60 Annually
Location : Temecula, CA 92590
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 204
Department: Planning
Opening Date: 09/25/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: MPCEA

The Position

Reporting directly to the Director of Planning, this Assistant/Associate/Principal Engineer position will serve a critical role in water resources planning, capital facility planning, and asset management for the District. This position will specifically support water resources related analyses such as evaluations of our water supply portfolio, assistance with groundwater production analysis, development of the Urban Water Management Plan and Sewer System Management Plan, and other water resources related activities.

The Opportunity

As a key support position on a dynamic and high functioning team, this position in the Engineering division will be involved with a number of intriguing opportunities covering a wide array of key initiatives in the coming year, including:

  • Providing support in feasibility and planning level water resource studies
  • Utilizing and improving the District's Aquanuity Aquatwin Water and Sewer Hydraulic Models; and presenting those results to senior staff to help make infrastructure decisions that will affect the District for the next decade
  • Assist the District in advancing their Asset Management Initiatives, including fully integrating the District's hydraulic models, newly deployed Nexgen CMMS system, and external artificial intelligence efforts for the water and sewer systems
  • Assisting the Operations Division in condition assessment protocol development
  • Assisting in the evaluation of a groundwater banking program and the District's water loss audits


The Ideal Candidate

In addition to being well-qualified and experienced, the ideal candidate will possess certain traits that will be essential for success, including:

  • Understands water resources concepts and can apply them to analyze complex water supply issues
  • Has a passion, curiosity, and strong ability to quickly learn new subjects
  • Is able to work with a high degree of accuracy with an attention to detail but always being able to see the "big picture" perspective
  • Is self-driven, proactive, and able to perform independently with minimal general direction.
  • Is personable, has a positive can-do attitude and is a solid team player
  • Understands engineering planning and how to use tools, such as models and Artificial Intelligence, to assist in developing feasible solutions to a wide range of problems
  • Is flexible with changing priorities and directives and able to quickly adapt
  • Has experience in presenting complex concepts to governing boards in a manner that can be easily understood


Approach to work

We ensure a strategic and unified workforce committed to being a leader in the industry. Through professional development, collaboration, and communication we consistently work through any challenges that we encounter.

Work Schedule

All full-time employees work a 9/80 schedule. Eligible employees may work a hybrid schedule, as determined by department needs.

Benefits

All full-time employees receive are enrolled in CalPERS Pension (2.7% at 55 + EPMC for Classic Members and 2.0% at 62 for PEPRA Members). Medical, dental, vision, basic life and AD&D, and long-term disability are fully covered for employees.

Qualification Guidelines

The appropriate knowledge, skills and abilities can be achieved through a variety of combinations of experience and training. A typical example is:
  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Civil, Mechanical, or Environmental Engineering, required.
  • Three (3) or more years of engineering experience with public agencies, water utilities, and/or private engineering consultant, required.
  • Registration as a Professional Engineer issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists, desirable.

Compensation
Assistant Engineer $63.62 - 83.98/hour
Associate Engineer $70.22 - 92.70/hour
Principal Engineer $77.51 - 102.32/hour

How to Apply
Interested individuals must complete an application atto be considered for this position. Candidates should apply ASAP as this recruitment can close at any time.
The District provides eligible employees the opportunity to participate in various employee benefits. A few of those benefits are listed below:

Medical Insurance
Eligible employees and dependents have the opportunity to enroll in medical insurance in accordance with District policies and applicable plan documents. Enrollment is available the first (1st) day of the month following the date of hire. Medical premium costs are shared between the District and the employee.

Medical Insurance Waiver
Eligible employees may waive their medical insurance with proof of other health insurance. The monthly cash payment in lieu of medical insurance benefits will be equal to the lowest medical insurance premium for the employee only rate.

Dental and Vision Insurance
Eligible employees and dependents have the opportunity to enroll in dental insurance and vision by 100% by the District. Enrollment is available the first (1st) day of the month following the date of hire

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Eligible employees are able to participate in a FSA for out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses through the District's Flexible Spending Account Program.

Life Insurance
The District provides eligible employees Group Insurance at twice their annual salary, capped at a maximum of $375,000 no cost to the employee. Employees will pay taxes based on the appropriate IRS Tax Table or Schedule for life insurance amounts in excess of $50,000 according to current Federal and State Tax Schedules.

Short Term Disability Insurance
The District participates in California's State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. All employees are subject to the state program's tax withholding.

CalPERS
The District participates in the CalPERS pension system requiring both an employer and employee contribution and include the 1959 Survivor Benefit plan. Employees shall pay the employee (member) contribution in the amount determined by CalPERS and in accordance with applicable employee agreements. The District also reports the value of any Employer Paid Member Contribution (EMPC) as special compensation for CalPERS for Classic Members.
  • PERS 2.7% @ 55 for employees hired on or before December 31, 2012 (Classic Member)
  • PERS 2% @ 62 for employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 (PEPRA Member)
Retirees
The District provides a retiree benefit plan that provides group insurance to eligible employees retiring from the District. Benefits include medical, dental, and life insurance with premium costs shared between the District and employee. Eligibility for benefit based on date of hire and years of service

Deferred Compensation
The District's Deferred Compensation Plan enables Board Members to defer a portion of their income. The Plan is intended to qualify as an eligible deferred compensation plan within the meaning of Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Plans are administered in accordance with federal requirements and allow a member to:
  • Contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS
  • Catch-up plan for those 50+ of up to amount specified annually by the IRS
  • Is portable, can be rolled over into another qualified retirement plan
Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)
All District employees are eligible to obtain confidential counseling as well as other work life benefits through EAP. Counseling is provided for problems such as marital issues, family relationships, depression and anxiety, alcohol and drug issues, and/or problems within the workplace at no cost to the employee.

Supplemental Benefits
The District offers supplemental benefits to employees at their expense.

Vacation
Eligible employees may accrue vacation hours beginning on their first day of employment. Exempt employees begin accruing 4.62 hours per pay period effective their first day of employment or promotion.

Service YearsHours Earned a Pay PeriodHours Earned Per Year
0 - up to 5 Years3.08 Hours80 hours
5 - up to 6 Years4.62 Hours120 hours
6 - up to 7 Years4.93 Hours128 hours
7 - up to 8 Years5.24 Hours136 hours
8 - up to 9 Years5.54 Hours144 hours
9 - up to 10 Years5.85 Hours152 hours
10 + Years6.16 Hours160 hours

Sick Leave
Eligible employees may accrue sick hours beginning on their first day of employment at the accrual rate of 3.69 hours per pay period.

Holidays
The District observes the following holidays. Eligible employees are paid full or pro-rated holiday pay based on their normal work schedule.
  • New Year' Day
  • President's Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Veteran's Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Day after Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day
  • Floating Holiday

01

As part of a completed application, you must submit a resume and cover letter. By selecting "yes." you are acknowledging that you understand this statement and have included a cover letter and resume to this application.
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

Similar Jobs

More Energy & Utilities Jobs

Find similar Engineer - Planning jobs: