Civil Engineer I

Job Description

General Statement of Duties

The Civil Engineer I works in various locations across the City of Des Moines performing a variety of functions including; developing, designing, and supervising public improvement projects in addition to other assigned work.

• Engineering Department: Construction Engineer to provide project management and construction oversight for a variety of public building projects including fire stations, library facilities, police facilities, park facilities, public parking garages, office buildings, skywalk structures and bridges.
• Engineering Department: Design Engineer to provide planning, detailed design, project management, and construction oversight for a wide variety of capital improvement and public infrastructure projects including; streets, park facilities, bridges, storm and sanitary sewer, sidewalks and river improvements.
• Engineering Department: Development Review Engineer to provide planning, design, permitting, and technical guidance for private land development which includes the detailed review of public infrastructure construction drawings, subdivision plats, site plans, and stormwater management reports.
• Clean Water Division of Public Works: Planning Engineer
  • to evaluate storm and sanitary sewer needs to support development and re-development within the City of Des Moines.
  • to manage resident complaints, investigate storm and sanitary sewer issues, coordinate short term repairs with Sewer Operations, and plan capital projects being managed by the Engineering Department.

The City of Des Moines promotes a healthy work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
Alternative Work Arrangements
Volunteer Time
Parental Leave
Vacation and Sick Leave Accruals
12 Paid Holidays
Health/Dental/Life Insurance
Wellness Programs
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)
Deferred Compensation Plan matching up to 2.5%
Employee Discounts

Acceptable Experience and Training

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Construction, Environmental, Civil) or related field; and
• One (1) year of experience in construction contract management preferred.
• Employees in this classification who obtain a Professional Engineering License in Iowa and exhibit exemplary service may be considered for promotion to a Civil Engineer II classification.

Transcripts verifying degree conferred need to be submitted to the City of Des Moines Human Resources Department to receive credit. Please send electronically to humanresources@dmgov.org , by fax to 515-237-1680, or by mail to 1200 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309 by the application deadline .

Required Special Qualifications

• Candidates for positions in this class must pass a post-employment offer physical examination and drug screen;
• Possession of a valid Iowa driver's license;
• Certification in the State of Iowa as an Engineer in Training; with
• License in the State of Iowa, as a Professional Engineer preferred.

Examples of Essential Work (Illustrative Only)

• Develops concepts, designs, plans and budgets for all types of civic projects undertaken by the City of Des Moines;
• Analyzes reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, tests and related information to plan and design projects;
• Calculates costs and determines project feasibility based upon analysis;
• Prepares plans, estimates and specifications to develop modifications and enhancements to existing streets and highways;
• Prepares property descriptions and right-of-way maps;
• Provides engineering and technical direction for the planning and design of paving and sewer projects;
• Prepares site plans, working drawings, specifications and cost estimates for land development;
• Assists in the supervision and administration of activities within the Sanitation Division of the Public Works Department;
• Reviews consultant plans, specifications and estimates, departmental design plans, road, drainage and sewer plans for private developers;
• Coordinates with contractors, consulting engineers, surveyors, inspectors, utility representatives and other officials to gather and disseminate information and maintain records necessary to satisfy public improvement requirements;
• Assembles information from contractors, surveyors, other engineers, technical bulletins and other sources to create plans and special provisions for public improvements;
• Administers public works contracts, including scheduling and holding pre-construction conferences, coordinating relocation of utilities, and furnishing data;
• Generates correspondence and maintains files of public improvements from capital improvements cost estimates through contract final-out and as-built drawings;
• Maintains three-party contract files and coordinates with the land developer and his engineer, contractor, and the City's inspectors;
• Provides needed information and demonstrations concerning how to perform certain work tasks to new employees in the same or similar class of positions;
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas;
• Responds to citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities;
• Performs other directly related duties consistent with the role and function of the classification.

Click here for Benefit Summary

Closing Date/Time: 9/18/2026 4:00 PM Central