Senior Civil Engineer (Utilities Division)

ABOUT THE POSITION

NOTE: This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close without prior notice. First review of the applications will occur on October 24, 2025. Please thoroughly review the entire job flyer including the application instructions. Failure to submit a completed application and provide required documentation may result in an application being removed from further consideration.
This position is eligible for certificate pay including level III pay for incumbents that maintain a D3 and/or T3 certification at a rate of $295 per month .

Under general supervision, performs a variety of complex, professional field and office civil engineering work related to the planning, design, maintenance, and operation of Utilities Division facilities and programs including water, sanitary sewer, and storm water systems, and associated infrastructure.

The Senior Civil Engineer - Utilities Division represents the third level in the Civil engineering professional job family. This job requires a high level of knowledge and ability to execute professional engineering design principles and standards, construction cost analyses, and engineering field measurement and data collection practices. The Senior Civil Engineer - Utilities Division job class differs from the Associate Civil Engineer - Utilities Division class as it requires more independent judgment under general supervision and a higher level of knowledge, design, and project oversight responsibility.

An Eligible List of qualified applicants will be established from this recruitment ; however, the Eligible List may be utilized to fill other full and part-time vacancies as needed. Generally, a valid Eligible List is in effect for up to one year, unless the List expires sooner.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following examples are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by persons assigned to this classification.

Supervise and coordinate assigned water, sanitary sewer, storm water, and other Utilities Division related projects.

Solicit, review, evaluate, and track Utilities Division proposals, contracts, and agreements for compliance with City requirements and timely completion of projects.

Coordinate the planning, design, and implementation of projects and programs in support of the City’s Utilities Division.

Review and supervise preparation of water, sewer, and storm drain improvement plans for City projects and proposed residential, commercial, and industrial developments for compliance with City standards, codes, and other applicable regulations.

Prepare plans, diagrams, and sketches using computer aided drafting (CAD) and civil engineering drafting techniques.

Write specifications, requests for proposals, and requests for qualifications for Utilities Division projects and solicit and analyze bids and proposals received.

Schedule and complete tasks in support of Utilities Division projects and verify tasks are being completed on schedule.

Coordinate with, and provide complex engineering and technical guidance to inspectors, consultants, contractors, vendors, other City departments, and agencies in support of Utilities Division projects and programs to ensure compliance with City requirements.

Identify, research, gather, and analyze project design and program requirements including hydraulics, hydrology, existing utility and substructure plans, field data, materials, permitting, and other documents.

Prepare project meeting agendas, attend and conduct meetings, and prepare meeting minutes.

Prepare correspondence, graphs, and reports in support of Utilities Division projects and programs.

Coordinate video inspection and flow monitoring of sanitary sewer and storm water lines and compile and analyze data for design, operation, and maintenance purposes.

Conduct water, sanitary sewer, and storm water capacity assessments to identify potential hydraulic problems and other impacts resulting from proposed developments.

Coordinate pressure monitoring of water lines and compile and analyze data for design, operation, and maintenance purposes.

Perform complex professional civil engineering calculations and design work for new facilities and necessary improvements/modifications to existing utility systems.

Coordinate with and supervise contractors, consultants, developers, and property owners in interpreting and complying with construction, design, and other City requirements associated with City utilities.

Inspect Utilities Division improvement projects for compliance with City and other applicable standards including, preparation of inspection reports, non-compliance letters, project punch lists, and incorporation of design revisions based on field conditions.

Help coordinate compliance activities relating to NPDES and MS4 permit programs for the City’s storm water management program.

Monitor project expenses and ensure compliance with approved project budget.

Draft City Council agenda memorandums, ordinances, and resolutions.

Maintain efficient and effective working relationships with professional staff, field personnel, consultants, and contractors.

Attend and participate in meetings as assigned.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education, training, and work experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform in the position is qualifying. A typical combination is as follows:

Experience: Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional civil engineering experience related to potable water, recycled water, sanitary sewer, and storm water including three years in a public agency in a progressively responsible capacity.

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an accredited four-year college or university. Possession of Professional Civil Engineering (PE) license from the State of California. State of California Water Distribution and/or Water Treatment Operator Certification is desirable.

Knowledge of: Civil engineering principles, design standards, surveying, construction principles and practices, and Federal, State, and local regulations related to water, sewer, and storm water utilities; construction contract law; Computer-aided drafting (CAD); Geographic Information System (GIS), Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and graphing, Microsoft Word and Powerpoint; supervisory techniques; principals and practices of project management; recordkeeping; legal descriptions; and principles of public relations.

Ability to: Analyze and solve highly complex engineering problems by arriving at valid conclusions; communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing; effectively present issues and recommendations before the public and community groups; supervise and maintain effective working relationships.

License Required:

• A valid California Driver's License and an acceptable driving record is required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

California Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) Pull Notice System: An incumbent appointed to this position is subject to enrollment in the California DMV Pull Notice Program. The Pull Notice program provides information on the incumbent's driving record and Driver's License status on a periodic basis to the City of Downey. An employee assigned a City vehicle must acknowledge receipt and understanding of City Administrative Regulations covering the use of City vehicles.

Physical Tasks and Environmental Conditions: Work is primarily performed in an office environment that requires extended sitting, mobility in the field at construction sites with potential exposure to dangerous machinery and potential physical harm, ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds, and perform other similar actions during the course of the workday.

Selection/Testing Process: All applications and supplemental information will be reviewed and evaluated on the basis of information submitted at the time of filing to determine the level and scope of the candidate's preparation for the position. All information supplied by applicants is subject to verification.

The acceptance of your application depends on whether or not you have clearly shown that you meet the Qualifications as stated above. Please fill out the application and supplemental questionnaire completely.

Those applicants, who most closely match the desired qualifications, will be invited to participate in the examination process which will consist of an appraisal examination weighted 100%. The appraisal examination may consist of performance testing and/or an oral interview to assess the applicant's knowledge, education, experience, and general ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Candidate(s) who complete selection testing with acceptable results will be considered by the Department hiring authority. Prior to a conditional offer of employment, a candidate will undergo a comprehensive background check that includes employment reference checks, criminal history check, fingerprinting with the California Department of Justice, and a credit review. A job-related pre-placement medical examination, including a drug screen will be conducted upon issuance of a conditional offer of employment.

Qualifying veterans of the United States Armed Forces who receive a passing score on an entrance examination shall be ranked in the top rank of any resulting eligibility list. The veteran's preference shall also apply to a widow or widower of a veteran or a spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran (Government Code § 18973.1).

Any applicant requiring reasonable accommodation during the selection process due to a qualified disability must inform the Human Resources Office by dialing (562) 904-7292 at least 72 hours in advance.

Summary of Benefits for Mid-Management Positions (Non-Sworn)

The following benefits are established by Resolution of the City Council of the City of Downey .

Retirement: The City provides the 2% @ age 60 retirement formula under the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) for an employee hired on or after January 11, 2012. An employee contribution equal to 7% of reportable earnings is required .

Medical Insurance: The City provides coverage under the Kaiser Permanent HMO Plan. The City offers 100% paid coverage for employee plus qualified dependent(s).

Dental Insurance : The City offers coverage from a choice between two dental plans, MetLife and Delta Dental. Orthodontia is covered under both plans. The employee contribution for employee plus qualified dependent (s) coverage is up to $49.85 per month.

Retiree Medical Contribution: With 10 years of service at retirement, the City offers medical coverage for retiree plus qualified dependent(s) under a City sponsored medical plan. The City contributes $98 per month towards this coverage. An Opt-Out Program is available with eligibility to receive the retiree medical contribution without enrollment in a City sponsored medical plan. Effective October 25, 2011, a Health Savings Account (HSA) program is available and funded at retirement by the value of up to five hundred (500) hours of earned and unused sick leave.

Life Insurance & Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D): The City provides Basic Life coverage of one time annual earnings, up to $100,000. For accidental loss of life, the amount of coverage is equal to the Basic Life coverage amount.

Long-Term Disability: The City provides coverage of 60% of the first $8,333 of Pre-disability Earnings reduced by Deductible Income. The maximum benefit under this program is $5,000 before reduction by Deductible Income and the minimum benefit is $100 or 10% of LTD benefit before reduction by Deductible Income, whichever is greater. A 90-day waiting period is applicable. Based on eligibility, a limited Employee Disability Leave Program is available for use during the waiting period.

Holidays: City provides eleven (11) paid days per year.

Vacation: Based on years of service, the City provides for the accrual of one hundred twenty (120) hours per year to a maximum accrual of one hundred sixty (160) hours per year based on hours worked. Maximum accrual is two years.

Sick Leave: City provides for the accrual of 8 hours per month based on hours worked. There is no maximum accrual. A conversion program (limited sick leave hours to vacation hours) is available.

Executive Leave: City provides twenty-four (24) hours per year. There is no cash out value to this leave benefit.

Educational and Professional Leave: City provides six days per year maximum, subject to budgetary appropriations and City Manager approval.

Physical Examination : City provides a comprehensive physical examination on a bi-annual basis.

Bilingual Pay: As approved by the City Manager, the City pays $46.15 per bi-weekly pay period for employees who are required to translate or speak Spanish in the course of regular duties.

Note: For more detail, please refer to the current Resolution that outlines pay and benefits for Executive Management, Mid-Management, and Confidential/Exempt Positions.

Prepared: HR August 2010.Rev. January 2012

• 

• City of Downey

• 562-904-7292

Show more