Senior Civil Engineer

Salary : $162,104.80 - $197,545.92 Annually
Location : Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-L14-B
Department: County-Wide Recruitment
Opening Date: 10/28/2026
Closing Date: 11/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 14

Description

Under direction, to have charge of varied and difficult engineering work involving the supervision of professional engineers and others engaged in a variety of engineering activities, such as the planning and design of roads and bridges, special studies or services, and other public works projects.
Typical Tasks

• Supervises and participates in the preparation of survey designs and plans for projects such as roads, bridges and other public works;
  
• Assists in direction of a number of field survey crews in obtaining engineering data needed for design work;
  
• Directs the activities of a group of office engineering personnel in analyzing field data, preparing instruments and quantities of materials to be moved, and in preparing plans, profiles, maps and related drawings necessary for construction work;
  
• Makes or reviews stress analyses of structures such as bridges;
  
• Supervises the preparation of structural drawings;
  
• Prepares specifications and related documents used in advertising construction projects for bids;
  
• Provides technical information to officials of other governmental jurisdictions, other engineers, and the public;
  
• Works with utilities and land and water companies in matters of relocation and rights-of-way; directs legal assistance in the preparation of resolutions, agreements and other legal documents;
  
• Conducts special studies, such as the determination of future needs;
  
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Training and experience equivalent to graduation from college with major work in civil engineering or a related field and five years of responsible experience in civil engineering, including experience in a capacity affording opportunity to demonstrate supervisory ability.

Registration as a civil engineer in the State of California at the time of appointment.

Knowledge of:

• The methods of making highway surveys and of establishing highway locations;
  
• Methods, materials and equipment used in highway and flood control construction;
  
• Principles and practices of structural engineering as applied to the design and construction of bridges and other structures;
  
• Federal and state design and construction standards;
  
• Principles of supervision and training.

Ability to:

• Plan, direct and supervise the work of others;
  
• Analyze engineering problems and work out effective solutions;
  
• Make accurate engineering computations;
  
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits
The County offers robust retirement plans including a (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account
The empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
The enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the , an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D
The County offers life and disability benefits including , Insurance, These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness
The offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement
A generous program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.
01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete. Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performedDo you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• None
• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral Degree

03

Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree or higher in Civil Engineering or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a Master's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field?

• Yes
• No

05

If you responded "yes" to questions 3 or 4, indicate the field and degree you have obtained.
06

This position requires current registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State of California at the time of appointment. Do you possess current registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State of California?

• Yes
• No

07

If you responded "yes" to the previous question, please list your Civil Engineer license number and expiration date. Please attach proof of possession. Proof can be obtained from the If you do not possess this license, type N/A.
08

How many years of professional level experience do you possess in civil engineering?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

09

Describe your professional level civil engineering experience.
Be specific in your responses and submit answers for EACH employer in the following format:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performed
If no experience, please type N/A.
10

Please indicate which area(s) you possess professional engineering experience in:

• Bridge Construction
• Flood Control Construction
• Highway Construction
• Highway Surveys
• Land Development
• Geotechnical/Soil Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• None of the above

11

For any selections made in the previous question, please describe your experience in the areas selected above.
Be specific in your responses and submit answers for EACH employer in the following format:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performed
If no experience, please type N/A.
12

Select the certificate(s) and/or license(s) you possess:

• Geotechnical Engineer License
• Land Surveyor License
• Qualified Stormwater Developer (QSD)
• Qualified Stormwater Developer Practitioner (QSP)
• Structural Engineer License
• Traffic Engineer License
• None
• Other

13

For each certificate and/or license selected above, you must provide the following information: the certificate or license type, certificate/license number, expiration date (if applicable) and attach a copy to the application.If none, please indicate "N/A".
14

How many years of supervisory experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five to less than six years
• Six to less than seven years
• Seven to less than eight years
• Eight to less than nine years
• Nine to less than ten years
• Ten or more years

15

Describe your supervisory experience (selecting, training, evaluating, and disciplining staff).
Be specific in your responses and submit answers for EACH employer in the following format:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performed
If no experience, please type N/A.
16

Do you possess professional experience presenting projects to community groups, regulatory agencies, officials of governmental jurisdictions, and/or employees?

• Yes
• No

17

Please describe your professional experience presenting projects to community groups, regulatory agencies, officials of governmental jurisdictions, and/or employees.
Be specific in your responses and submit answers for EACH employer in the following format:
a) Employer name(s)
b) Job title(s)
c) Start/end dates of employment (Month/Year)
d) Total hours worked per week
e) Description of task(s) performed
If no experience, please type N/A.
18

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

19

How did you find out about this job? If "Other" is selected: Please describe how you heard about this job.
Required Question