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Job Description
Description
The City of Huntington Beach is seeking a future-focused Public Works professional with a relentless passion for excellence. The ideal candidate will be excited about the opportunity to take a key leadership role in a multi-faceted department in one of the nation's most desirable, premier coastal communities. Considered a visionary in the industry, this individual will have a reputation for advancing activities that support a collective vision and enhance community pride.
An inspiring and hardworking leader who has mastered the art of helping others see what's possible, the ideal candidate will be of the highest integrity and considered a role model in the profession. This person will have the ability to approach day-to-day operations with an optimistic can-do attitude and a constant eye toward results and continuous improvement. Familiarity with technology and tools that support contemporary business practices and maximum efficiency, coupled with a track record that reflects data-driven decision making and the delivery of exceptional outcomes, will be expected. Proven success with modernizing systems and processes and other significant change efforts will also be considered favorably.
The individual selected will be a unifying mentor and team builder who prioritizes people and the needs of the team above personal ambitions. Known for being enthusiastic about people and their work, this person will also be an outstanding people manager capable of fostering an inclusive culture that is also characterized by high standards, accountability, and trust. The ideal candidate will be a highly engaged and motivating manager who is generous with recognition and feedback, and supportive of innovation and problem solving at the lowest level. This person will know how to foster healthy internal debates to arrive at the best outcomes as one cohesive team.
Driven by an obsession for the delivery of exceptional outcomes, the ideal candidate will convey a sophisticated understanding of external as well as internal customer needs and concerns. This individual will exhibit tremendous initiative and have a history that demonstrates the ability to address challenges with courage and confidence. Department leaders in Huntington Beach are expected to be resilient problem solvers and have an admirable ability to adapt while maintaining forward momentum.
Examples of Essential Duties
PRIORITIES FOR THE NEW DEPUTY PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER:- Manage the daily operations of the Engineering and Transportation divisions within the Public Works Department. These divisions consist of Construction Management, Design, Development, Storm Water Quality, and Traffic.
- Oversee delivery of the Capital Improvement Program as the new Deputy Public Works Director/City Engineer.
- Assist the department with hiring, training, and mentoring staff.
- Manage the department in the absence of the Director of Public Works.
- Represent the department before the City Council, boards and commissions, joint powers agencies, and local and regional groups, as necessary.
- Oversee the infusion of technology into infrastructure management, daily operations, and capital project delivery.
Minimum Qualifications
Any combination of education, training, and experience that would likely provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination includes:
Competitive candidates will possess:- A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in municipal civil engineering programs, including at least two (2) years in a supervisory or management capacity over professional engineering staff-preferably within a California municipality or other public sector organization.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering. A master’s degree in a related field is desirable.
- Current licensure as a Registered Professional Engineer in Civil Engineering issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS
The closing date for this recruitment is 5:00 p.m. PST on September 26, 2025 . To be considered for this opportunity, please upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of professional references using the "Apply" button at: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/huntingtonbeach .
Following the closing date, applications and supplemental documents will be reviewed and those candidates deemed best qualified will be invited to participate in a virtual oral board interview, tentatively scheduled for mid October 2025. After the initial interview, top candidates will be invited to an in-person interview with the department. The Public Works Director anticipates making an appointment shortly thereafter, following the completion of thorough background and reference checks. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process and will be done so in close coordination with the affected candidate.
The City of Huntington Beach offers a comprehensive benefit package for Non-Associated employees including:
SALARY RANGE for Executive Management consist of a "starting point", "control point" and "high point". Salary increases up to 5% may be awarded based on performance at annual review and market data.
TEN-TWELVE PAID HOLIDAYS provided per year (see MOU).
GENERAL LEAVE with pay of 176 hours is granted to regular employees. After four years' service additional general leave hours are earned, up to 256 hours after fifteen years' service.
EXECUTIVE LEAVE with pay is granted in the amount of 80 hours per calendar year
GROUP INSURANCE PROGRAMS are available to eligible City employees. These programs include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment insurances.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS are available where employees use pre-tax salary to pay for regular child care, adult dependent care and/or medical expenses.
RETIREMENT BENEFITS are provided by the California Public Employee's Retirement System. Every regular employee becomes a member immediately upon employment. Effective January 1, 2013, the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act will apply to new members of CalPERS. A new member is defined as a new hire who is brought into CalPERS membership for the first time on or after 1/1/13 and has no prior membership in a California public retirement system; is not eligible for reciprocity with another California public retirement system; or is rehired by a different CalPERS employer after a break in service of greater than six (6) months. All employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 will be subject to CalPERS membership review for applicability of PEPRA. Employees enrolled in CalPERS prior to January 1, 2013 are considered classic members.
The benefit formula, final compensation period, and member contribution rate is as represented below:
Classic Miscellaneous Members:
Benefit Formula Miscellaneous: 2.5% at age 55
Final Compensation Period: 1-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate: 8.0% of Reportable Compensation
New Miscellaneous Members under PEPRA:
Benefit FormulaMiscellaneous: 2% at age 62
Final Compensation Period: 3-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate: 7.25% of Reportable Compensation (eff. 7/1/23)
Classic Safety Members:
Benefit FormulaSafety: 3.0% at age 50
Final Compensation Period: 1-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate: 9.0% of Reportable Compensation
New Safety Members under PEPRA:
Benefit FormulaSafety: 2.7% at age 57
Final Compensation Period: 3-year Final Compensation
Member Contribution Rate: 12.50% of Reportable Compensation (eff, 7/1/23)
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Two voluntary deferred compensation 457 plans are available.
CREDIT UNION membership is available to all City employees and provides access to low interest loans.
FLEXIBLE WORK SCHEDULES: Employees will have the option of working a 5/40 or 9/80 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. Employees assigned to the Police Department shall retain the option of working the 4/10 work schedule with Supervisor and Department Head approval. In order to maintain service to the public, departmental effectiveness, productivity and/or efficiency, a Department Head may assign an employee a different work schedule that is in compliance with the requirements of FLSA with City Manager approval.
NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute a contract expressed or implied, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.
For a more detailed overview of the benefits, review the Memorandum of Understanding and Side Letters at: MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDINGS Click on the links under "Non-Represented (Non-Associated) Employees'".
Closing Date/Time: 9/26/2025 5:00 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Huntington Beach
Show moreTHE COMMUNITY
The City of Huntington Beach is located on the shore of the Pacific Ocean in northwestern Orange County, 40 miles south of Los Angeles and 90 miles north of San Diego. As the fourth largest city in Orange County, with a population near 200,000 residents, Huntington Beach is known as “Surf City USA” due to its abundance of beaches, sunny, warm Mediterranean climate and casual lifestyle. Huntington Beach covers 28 square miles of land, 26 square miles of water, and is the 24th largest city in California. With more than 8 miles of uninterrupted beach along the Pacific Ocean, the City also plays host to an annual visitor population of over 11 million people, especially during the summer, special events and weekends.
Huntington Beach has one of the largest pleasure piers in the world and has the longest concrete pier in the State. The City’s park system includes 58 public parks (with a dog park), riding stables and the largest city-owned and operated regional park in Orange County — Huntington Central Park. Also within the City’s boundaries are five recreation centers (including a senior center), three miles of equestrian trails, two golf courses, 72 tennis courts, a marina and a protected wildlife preserve. Running parallel to Pacific Coast Highway and just steps from the ocean is an eight-mile strand perfect for biking, inline skating, jogging or a leisurely stroll.
The City is centrally located to all major attractions in Orange County including the Disney Resorts, the Orange County Performing Arts Center and Repertory Theater, and the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. The City is home to the International Surfing Museum, the Surfing Walk of Fame, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Harbour and the Huntington Beach Art Center. Huntington Beach draws some of the largest crowds in the world to such professional sporting events as the U.S. Open of Surfing, Van’s World Championship of Skateboarding and AVP Pro Beach Volleyball.
There are 35 elementary schools, five public high schools and one community college (Golden West College) located within Huntington Beach. The City has a world-class library located within the 365-acre Central Park as well as four additional branch libraries. In addition, Orange Coast College; the University of California, Irvine; and California State Universities at Long Beach and Fullerton are located in close proximity.
There are over 117,000 households within a five-mile radius of the Huntington Beach Civic Center. The average family household income is $122,851, ranking one of the highest in the nation based on the top 100 largest cities in the country.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT
Founded in the late 1880s, Huntington Beach was incorporated as a Charter City in 1909. Huntington Beach has a City Council/ City Manager form of government. The City Council has seven members who are elected at large, on a non-partisan basis, to four-year overlapping terms. City Council members are limited to two consecutive 4-year terms. There are three elected department heads - the City Attorney, City Clerk and City Treasurer. The position of Mayor is filled on a rotating basis.
The City of Huntington Beach is organized into 13 major departments including City Treasurer, City Clerk, City Attorney, City Manager, Community Development, Community Services, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Services, Library Services, Police, and Public Works.
The City has approximately 1,600 full and part-time employees and a total budget of approximately $345 Million.
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