Assistant Engineer

County of Modoc; Alturas (CA); On-site; USD 64,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Modoc County is seeking an Assistant Engineer to perform engineering work on roads, bridges, culverts, and other county infrastructure. You will develop and administer contracts, review plans, and assist with data collection and reporting. Certification as a land surveyor may be a factor.

The role is entry-level within the engineering series, with supervision and opportunities to advance as experience increases.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of engineering objectives, standards, procedures, and information sources.
• Statistical analysis and mathematical concepts related to the engineering process.
• Ability to interpret maps, plans, and specifications; work with surveying documents.

Responsibilities

• Designs, prepares, and evaluates plans and specifications for public works construction, maintenance, and retrofitting projects.
• Oversees project resident engineering and construction activities.
• Reviews plans, administers contracts, and prepares financial and other reports.
• Conducts feasibility and cost studies.
• Provides information to the public in person and by phone; may serve as land surveyor if certified.

Skills

Engineering principles

Statistical analysis

Drafting concepts

Communication skills

Public interaction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Geographic Information Systems

Computer-Aided Design

Surveying software

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Assistant Engineer

Roads Full Time Skilled Craft Alturas, CA, US 3 Attachments

Salary Range: $63,960.00 To $99,216.00 Annually

CLASS SPECIFICATION

Modoc County

CLASS CODE: 4024-001

CLASS TITLE: Assistant Engineer

FLSA DESIGNATION: Non-Exempt

RANGE/STEP A-J: 308 (Step-A: $5,330 - Step-J: $8,268)

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs engineering work, including conducting engineering feasibility, cost, and design studies, related to roads, bridges, culverts, and other county infrastructure; develops and administers professional services or construction project contracts; reviews plans and inspects projects; collects and presents data and prepares reports; provides information and advice to the public in person and over the telephone; if appropriately certified, acts as a land surveyor for the County; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Assistant Engineer is the entry-level in this engineering series. This class is responsible for assisting management staff or higher-level engineers in the areas of research, data collection, project administration, and preparation of reports. Assignments are intended to provide background in the fundamental principles and practices of public service engineering for level work in the engineering field. Incumbents initially work under close supervision and are expected to become increasingly knowledgeable and carry out assignments with increasing independence. This class is alternately staffed with Associate engineers and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency that meets the qualifications for the higher-level class.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. The position may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Designs, prepares, and evaluates preliminary and final plans and specifications for a variety of public works construction, maintenance, and retrofitting projects.
• Performs project resident engineering oversight on various construction projects.
• Coordinates daily activities, ensures compliance with plans and specifications, administers contracts, and prepares financial reports.
• Conducts feasibility and cost studies.
• Recommends alternative approaches, including the use of contract services and the incorporation of new methods and materials.
• Reviews and evaluates parcel maps, records of survey, subdivision, and construction plans, and other documents submitted by the public.
• Certifies their correctness and compliance with ordinances.
• Directs the work ofa survey crew and performs office work in support ofsurvey activities.
• Provides engineering design and code information and ensures that designs meet accepted industry and legal standards.
• Conducts research studies and prepares reports and recommendations regarding land use, building and facility design, roadways, planning and redevelopment, and a variety of engineering-related community service needs.
• Maintains a variety of files of plans, maps, permits, and related documents.
• Uses computers and software programs for various technical modeling, calculation, database, mapping, computer-aided drafting, and similar engineering applications.
• Prepares a variety ofwritten communications, including analytical reports, and correspondence; directs the preparation of orprepares maps, plans, and graphic materials.
• Makes oral and graphic presentations or prepares materials for presentation to boards, commissions, and community groups; answers questions and provides information and assistance to the public in person, on the telephone, and in writing.
• Prepares requests for funding and grant proposals; prepares and submits invoices and reports of expenditures.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Important:

• May provide work direction and instruction to less experienced engineers, technical field, or office support staff on a project or day-to-day basis.
• Uses standard office equipment, including a computer, in the course ofthe work; drives a county vehicle to attend meetings and inspect project sites.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required to satisfactorily perform the job’s essential duties and responsibilities.

NOTE: The level and scope of the knowledge and skills listed below are related to job duties as defined under Class Characteristics.

Knowledge of:

• Engineering objectives, principles, procedures, standards, practices, and information sources.
• Statistical analysis and mathematical concepts related to the engineering process.
• Terminology, symbols, methods, techniques, and instruments used in engineering graphics and drafting.
• Principles and practices of materials and soils analysis and materials testing.
• Computer applications related to the work.
• Business letter writing and the standard format for typed materials.
• Record-keeping and bookkeeping principles and practices.
• Safety principles and practices related to the work.
• Correct business English, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for dealing with the public, in person, and over the telephone.
• Basic surveying principles and practices.

Skill in:

• Researching, analyzing, and summarizing engineering data both manually and with computer applications.
• Interpreting maps, plans and specifications, graphs, and statistical data.
• Making complex engineering calculations quickly and accurately.
• Preparing clear, concise, and complete technical documents, reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Exercising sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines.
• Working without close supervision in standard work situations.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Ability to:

• Work cooperatively as part of a team.
• Ability to use a smartphone.
• Ability to utilize phone and computer applications.
• Ability to use and assist users with remote meeting technology.
• Ability to embrace new technology to make the workplace more efficient.

Required to:

• Support the vision and mission of the county and its elected and appointed officials.
• Provide courteous and timely customer service to the public as the ultimate employers.
• Provide courteous and timely customer service to other county departments and work cooperatively with other county employees.
• Adhere to the Modoc County Code of Safe Practices

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING:

Any combination of knowledge and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and experience would be:

Licensing and Certification:

• Possess a valid California Class C driver’s license.

Equivalent to graduation from a four (4) year college or university with major coursework in an appropriate engineering discipline. Some practical experience related to the engineering profession such as drafting, land surveying, computer-aided design, and/or geographic information systems software at a sub‑professional level is desirable.In addition to the above, one (1) year of professional engineering experience. Experience in a public agency setting is desirable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform essential duties.

Mobility to work in a typical office setting, use standard office equipment, and drive a motor vehicle to attend meetings and inspect construction sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.

Working Conditions:

Work with exposure to potential hazards at various construction sites

All County of Modoc employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through State law (California Government Code §3100-3109). Employment with Modoc County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Work-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

FLSA Status is dependent upon meeting the qualifications for the exemption test. All of the following must be met for the status to be Exempt. Upon meeting the Exempt status, a certification form will need to be completed to accompany the Personnel Action Notification (PAN) form.

Approved through the county-wide reclassification survey in February 1996 Reclassified and approved by the Board of Supervisors on November 14, 2017

Effective December 1, 2017

Range and step updated per approval of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Salary Table on January 24, 2023

Effective: February 1, 2023

Range and step updated per approval of side letter of agreement on March 14, 2023, to incorporate a 12% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)

Effective: April 1, 2023

Reclassified and approved by the Board of Supervisors on July 28, 2026 Effective: August 1, 2026

Attachments (3)

Modoc County Application-2026 (1).pdf