Engineer I

The City of San Luis Obispo Utilities Department has an opening for an Engineer I!

If you are selected for interviews, they will take place in person on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, so please hold that date. 

Please note: Hiring incentives are not guaranteed but may be valued up to $2,000 for positions deemed hard to fill by the Director of Human Resources. 

JOB SUMMARY:

Provides general engineering support and direction to a variety of public and private projects. Performs professional and technical civil engineering work starting with simple and moving to more complex projects. Typical projects may include the following: roads, drainage, grading, buildings, water and wastewater pipelines, treatment facilities, tanks, parks and landscaping, bike paths, environmental mitigation, and other related infrastructure. As employees show an increase in knowledge, skills, abilities, and initiative, employees will be eligible for promotion within this career series.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:

This classification is part of the Engineer I, II, III career series.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Employees in this classification work under general supervision of the Division Manager or Supervising Civil Engineer. Entry level employees may also work under the direction of a Senior or Engineer III within a broad framework of policies and procedures.

Employees in the Engineer positions are not directly responsible for the supervision and evaluation of other engineering staff; however, they may provide supervision of work product to technician or intern staff.  

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Prepares construction drawings and specifications for a variety of City public works projects using AutoCAD and related civil design software to process projects through the City.
• Reviews and evaluates preliminary and final plans and specifications for private development.
• Inspects and evaluates ongoing public works and development projects to ensure compliance with plans and specifications and regulatory agency requirements.
• Conducts surveys, and/or assists survey personnel in obtaining field data and conducts a variety of field construction tests for compliance purposes.
• Verifies and maintains appropriate records and files; prepares comprehensive technical reports and agenda reports related to assignments.  Presents reports as needed.
• Attends various meetings and makes presentations as a representative of the City.
• Performs a variety of computer and tracking support functions.
• Interacts with the public at the public counter answering questions and issuing permits for construction in the City’s right of way.
• Performs studies, researches files, records, plans, and maps.
• Gathers, assembles, analyzes and interprets field data, and prepares reports.
• Plans, directs, participates, supervises the work product of technicians and interns, and effectively completes assigned projects. This technical work involves engineering, surveying, construction, or other activities related to the civil engineering profession. 
• Administers consultant contracts for support services such as surveying, soil testing, biological studies, etc.
• Coordinates with other departments as needed to complete assignments.
• Provides planning, specification, calculation and cost estimating review of others’ work.
• Reviews construction of projects and assists in maintaining construction documents. 
• Reviews and evaluates development plans, maps, and related documents for conformance to City, State, and Federal codes. Reviews calculations and issues permits.
• Gathers traffic data, maintains traffic records, conducts traffic studies, and prepares traffic reports.
• Provides assistance to other City employees regarding engineering related matters.
• Performs related duties similar to the example duties in scope and function as required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of civil engineering applicable to the planning, design, and construction of a wide variety of public works projects.
• Mathematics, design methods, uses and strengths of construction materials and knowledge of soil engineering as they relate to the design and construction of public works.
• Hydrology, hydraulics, and structural design practices and procedures.
• Principles and practices of surveying and construction inspection, including applicable laws and safety requirements.
• Technical report writing.
• Computer systems and applicable software programs 

Ability to:

• Apply knowledge gained from education in the performance of professional level engineering.
• Prepare engineering plans, designs, estimates, and specifications for a variety of public works projects and complete projects effectively.
• Solve engineering problems, utilizing a variety of civil engineering techniques.
• Use AutoCAD and standard office software such as word processing, spreadsheets and Adobe Acrobat.
• Follow written and oral directions.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with the public, contractors, and representatives of other agencies in providing professional engineering assistance and information.
• Communicate effectively and tactfully in both oral and written forms.
• Prepare staff reports and make presentations.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships.
• Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties.
• Maintain activity records, manage documents and infrastructure databases.
• Work in a standard office setting, field environment, and construction zones. 
• Use standard office and field equipment and the ability to travel to remote field locations. 
• Read printed materials and a computer screen. 
• Hear and speak to communicate in person and over the telephone.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field or possession of an Engineer in Training certificate;
or
An equivalent combination of education and experience. 

POSSESSION AND MAINTENANCE OF:
A valid California class C driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
 
THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING BEFORE A FINAL OFFER IS MADE:

• Live Scan Fingerprinting – DOJ

Salary : $77,974 - $95,732