ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN I OR II

Salary : $61,401.60 - $103,126.40 Annually
Location : Town Hall, 57090 29 Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 19/2026
Department: Engineering
Opening Date: 09/28/2026
Closing Date: 10/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Work Week Schedule:: 9/80 work week schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am to 5:30pm with every other Friday off.

Job Summary

DEFINITION:
Under general supervision, performs a variety of specialized paraprofessional engineering work and office duties in support of professional engineering staff and inspectors for the planning, design, and construction of Capital Improvement Projects (CIP); maintains plan files and engineering records; conducts field surveys, maintains the database, generates reports, and creates maps; and performs related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED, specific to Engineering Tech. I:
Under general supervision, performs paraprofessional and technical work in the Public Works/Engineering Departments and in the field to support projects and plans brought to the Town for review; and performs related work as required.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

This is an entry level class in the paraprofessional engineering technician series. Incumbents perform the full range of technical work in all of the following areas: field observations and surveys, researching engineering topics, and updating maps and drawings, in addition to performing office and field work related to assigned engineering projects and programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED, specific to Engineering Tech. II:
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisor. Exercises no direct supervision of staff. May provide technical and functional direction and training to other staff on as as-needed basis.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:This is the full journey-level class in the paraprofessional engineering technician series. Incumbents perform the full range of technical work in all of the following areas: field observations and surveys, researching engineering topics, and updating maps and drawings, in addition to performing office and field work related to assigned engineering projects and programs. Positions at this level are distinguished from the I-level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, and exercising judgment and initiative. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the division.
Examples of Duties

Examples of TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only), specific to Engineering Tech I:
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs technical plan-checks of plans, architectural designs, subdivision plats, and improvement drawings, and annexations.
• Prepares simple designs and plans for public improvements.
• Reviews and checks public works plans for correctness of engineering methods, accuracy of calculations, and conformance with established engineering procedures.
• Ensures compliance with Town-imposed development conditions and municipal code provisions and refers plans to civil engineers.
• Drafts plans using standard drafting machines and prepares maps, drawings, engineering records, and files.
• Prepares engineering design work reports conducts studies for future projects involving the collection and interpretation of data necessary to project conditions and requirements.
• Reviews and checks completed designs, specifications, cost estimates, legal descriptions, and work of consultant engineers involved in public works projects.
• Prepares and researches rights-of-way and easements.
• Prepares Town Council agenda items and resolutions.
• Reads and interprets topographic surveys, evaluations, and benchmarks.
• Prepares applications for permits and issues engineering permits.
• Calculates permit fees and process payments.
• Performs journey level technical engineering inspections of public works sites, streets, traffic signals, street lights, curbs, gutters, storm drains, sewer mains and lateral installations, underground pipelines, retaining walls, sidewalks, alleys, and related structures.
• Inspects projects performed under contract for compliance with plans and specifications.
• Tests and reports on construction materials and verifies quantities.
• Determines whether construction methods comply with safety regulations.
• Reports work not in accordance with specifications and recommends work stoppage for non-compliance.
• Consults with supervisors on major deviations from specifications and recommends progress payments.
• Prepares written reports of inspections and construction change orders and composes correspondence, violation letters and illegal encroachments.
• Maintains field records, sketches, photographs, drafting, and narrative notes.
• Performs engineering technical support work, preparing maps and charts, and collecting and presenting field data.
• Creates blueprints of plans and maps.
• Performs title searches and researches rights-of-way and easements based on legal descriptions and reviews and interprets legal descriptions.
• Prepares, retrieves, and updates official Town maps, records, and files.
• Operates standard survey instruments and equipment.
• Responds to inquiries and complaints from developers, contractors, architects, and the public regarding Town requirements for construction, alteration, and maintenance of facilities.
• Reviews requirements for and prepares agreements for execution.
• Assesses and collects impact fees.
• Coordinates engineering projects with other departments and agencies.
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned.

Examples of TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only), specific to Engineering Tech. II:
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Prepares or assists in the preparation of and/or interprets specifications, plans, estimates, and reports pertaining to the construction, maintenance, and operation of a variety of engineering, land development, and other capital improvement projects (CIP).
• Maintains engineering and traffic/transportation files, including plans, studies, inspections, surveys, maps, and other data related to engineering and transportation projects; prepares, updates, reproduces, and distributes maps, drawings, blueprints, and other information.
• Provides support for capital improvement project management such as grant writing, cost tracking, grant fund reimbursements, project authorization documents, contract documents and specifications, schedules and deadlines.
• Researches parcels and other documents; develops and modifies databases for technical information and research of projects.
• Ensures compliance with Town-imposed development conditions and municipal code provisions and refers plans to civil engineers.
• Performs basic design and drafting duties in connection with streets, sidewalks, developments, and other projects.
• Prepares and researches rights-of-way and easements and prepares Town Council agenda items and resolutions.
• Prepares written reports of inspections and construction change orders and composes correspondence, violation letters and illegal encroachment notices.
• Performs field, office, and computer-aided studies and prepares periodic and special reports based on findings from research, studies, and surveys; and makes recommendations on findings.
• Manages, reviews and documents traffic census counts and speed surveys; prepares and submits appropriate related documents.
• Receives and logs, and reviews submitted engineering plans, maps, and related documents for plan check; routes documents to consultants or developers for preceding and following plan review; tracks status of plan checks and original documents; advises parties of revisions.
• Monitors private land development submittals, plans, fees, bonds, subdivision improvement agreements, assessment districts, encroachment permits, grading permits, approvals and recordings.
• Prepares engineering design work reports, conducts studies for future projects involving the collection and interpretation of relevant data.
• Receives and responds to information requests for base maps, parcel maps and improvement plan information, encroachment permits, benchmarks, and other geographical data, soils reports, as-builts, and street improvements; retrieves plans, reports, permits, and files as necessary to comply with requests; responds to complaints from the public and resolves conflicts between owners, contractors, developers, utility companies, and others.
• Maintains and updates department records, tracking lists, permit records, and files of engineering plans, including grading, encroachments, improvements, and final maps.
• May assist in the maintenance of the department's website as it relates to posting engineering records for public viewing.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

• Technical engineering principles, practices, and methods applicable to office and field work involving the design, construction, and maintenance of public works projects.
• Basic design and construction practices and methods of streets and related public works infrastructure.
• Engineering plan types, review practices, and permit filing and approval procedures.
• Principles and practices of technical civil engineering drafting and surveying support.
• Drafting and surveying equipment, computers, principles, problems, techniques, and practices.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including administrative and department policies and procedures.
• Technical engineering mathematics.
• Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and computer applications, including GIS concepts and applications.
• Technical report writing practices and procedures.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and Town staff.

Ability to:

• Prepare a variety of plans, specifications, maps, graphic materials, cost estimates, and technical engineering reports.
• Modify engineering drawings, topographic maps, improvement plans, and illustrative graphics.
• Perform responsible technical engineering support work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
• Read and interpret engineering plans, technical drawings, specifications, and subdivision maps.
• Perform standard engineering design under professional engineering supervision.
• Make mathematical calculations and accurate engineering computations and drawings.
• Make and record accurate field engineering observations.
• Use engineering, drafting, and surveying instruments and equipment.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience, which would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade supplemented by at least two (2) years of college-level coursework in civil engineering, drafting, surveying, construction, or related field, and three (3) years of increasingly responsible paraprofessional experience in civil engineering, drafting, surveying, or related field.
Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's Class C License.

Veteran's:
To Establish Eligibility for Veteran's preference for open recruitments, applicants must attach a DD214 or other documentary evidence to this application.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect Town development sites, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various Town and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is partially a sedentary office classification, and partially a field classification that involves field inspection work requiring frequent walking at inspection sites to monitor performance and to identify problems or hazards; standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS:
Employees work in an