Assistant Engineer

City of Palmdale, California; Palmdale (CA); On-site; USD 69,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Palmdale is seeking an entry-level Assistant Engineer to perform professional and technical engineering work in design, land development, and capital improvements. This role involves independent work with guidance on new or unusual situations and supports GIS systems and plan reviews for public works projects.

Requirements include a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, two years of related experience, and a California driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or closely related field.
• Knowledge of public works, land development, and transportation engineering.
• Familiarity with contract administration and consultant coordination.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional and technical engineering work related to design, land development and capital improvements.
• Coordinate with City departments and outside consultants; review payments and billing for contracted services.
• Prepare estimates, feasibility reports, RFQs/RFPs, and assist in selecting consultants.

Skills

Civil engineering

Public works

Land development

Contract administration

GIS knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Tools

GIS

Job description

Description

The full salary range for this position is as follows:$49.93- $63.73, Expected salary range is $49.93- $55.05 The Assistant Engineer performs professional and technical engineering work in assigned area of responsibility including, but not limited to, design, land development, or capital improvements.

The full salary range for this position is as follows:$49.93- $63.73, Expected salary range is $49.93- $55.05 The Assistant Engineer performs professional and technical engineering work in assigned area of responsibility including, but not limited to, design, land development, or capital improvements.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level class in the professional engineering series. Incumbents perform engineering assignments of a routine nature. Incumbents work independently, seeking assistance only as new or unusual situations arise.

Examples Of Essential Functions

Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform professional and technical engineering work relative to assigned area of responsibility, including but not limited to design, land development and/or capital improvements.
• Investigate field problems affecting property owners, contractors, and maintenance operations; resolve problems or refer as appropriate.
• Administer contracts; coordinate and review the work of outside consultants; review and recommend all payments and billing for contracted services related to assigned projects.
• Request and/or participate in the collection of survey and mapping data.
• Prepare estimates and feasibility reports for new or modified services and structures.
• Prepare Requests for Qualifications and Requests for Proposals including specifications; assist in the selection of consultants; manage consultant contracts; review consultants’ work and provide technical guidance.
• Manage a variety of projects simultaneously, from conception through construction, which involves developing project schedules, monitoring project progress and budget, obtaining necessary permits, preparing and maintaining project files, monitoring quality of projects, and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Perform plan check, review, and processing of plans for private developments affecting City streets, sewers, drains and related public works facilities; assure compliance with appropriate codes, ordinances, rules and regulations.
• Provide technical support for GIS systems.
• Review video inspections of utility pipes, identify and rate defects, assess condition of pipes and prioritize repairs.
• Prepare visual presentations and reports.
• Prepare staff reports, correspondence, and special engineering studies and reports.
• Coordinate public works activities with other City departments, divisions and sections and with outside agencies.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience And Education

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

Experience

Two years of increasingly responsible experience in engineering, planning development, construction, or closely related field.

Education

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or closely related field.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of engineering as applied to public works, utilities, transportation or land development.
• Applicable laws and regulatory codes relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in engineering construction.
• Principles of algebra, geometry and trigonometry and their application to engineering.
• Principles and practices of engineering as applied to public works, utilities, transportation or land development.
• May require knowledge of GIS systems.

Ability To

• Learn to check engineering plans and specifications; prepare and check engineering reports and studies.
• Learn to prepare accurate cost estimates and make related recommendations.
• Interpret and explain City policies, procedures, regulations and engineering policies and procedures.
• Respond to issues and concerns from the community and internal clients.
• Understand and follow instructions.
• Communicate accurately, clearly and concisely in writing, orally and electronically.
• Read and interpret essential technical information including maps and drawings.
• Perform basic mathematical calculations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Obtain appropriate licenses and certifications.
• Prepare plans and drawings neatly and accurately.
• Check engineering plans and specifications; prepare and check engineering reports and studies.
• May require ability to provide technical support to GIS systems.
• Analyze and prepare technical reports.
• Prepare accurate cost estimates and make related recommendations.
• Work independently and make sound decisions.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

Possession of a valid California driver's license by time of appointment is required.

Engineer-In-Training Certificate issued by the State of California, highly desirable.

Physical And Mental Requirements

Mobility

frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, bending and squatting.

Lifting

frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 25 pounds.

Vision

constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.

Dexterity

frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.

Hearing/Talking

frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.

Emotional/Psychological

frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.

Environmental

frequent exposure to noise.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in a typical temperature controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. Positions may require occasional overtime, weekend work and travel is rare.

Revised October 2026

FLSA: Overtime exempt

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale 'a place to call home.' Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS

Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday – Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION

The Teamsters Local 986 represents certain positions in the City's Public Works Maintenance Division and Parks and Recreation Department.

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEES

Additional benefits apply to the positions of Deputy Director, Director, Deputy City Manager and Assistant City Manager. These are at-will positions and do not serve a probationary period.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

RESIDENCE within the City is not required.

AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.

The benefits listed here apply to full-time positions, not to part-time employees unless described.

A PROBATION PERIOD of one year minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE: The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours. Exempt employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours. Part-time employees shall accrue one (1) hour of Sick Leave for every 20 hours worked. Total accrued bank sick leave may not exceed 80 hours.

RETIREMENT: The City is a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution.

All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM: Employees may be reimbursed up to $500 per fiscal year for qualified wellness expenses.

DIRECT DEPOSIT: Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

INSURANCE: The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employee's health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: The City offers a Deferred Compensation Plan which enables full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis. The City matches up to $200 per month.

BILINGUAL STIPEND: Eligible employees may receive bilingual pay.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION: Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES: Part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed.

MILEAGE PAY: Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at a rate consistent with IRS guidelines when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY: The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employee's salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

• Benefits can change at any time.