Assistant Engineer II

Valley Water; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Valley Water in San Jose, CA seeks a qualified engineer to join the Community Projects Review Unit. The role supports review of external environmental reports, civil drawings, and land development projects for impacts to water supply, flood protection, and watershed facilities, under supervision of an Associate Engineer.

Ideal candidates bring two years of professional engineering experience, strong ability to interpret plans and conduct hydraulic analyses, and a commitment to clear written and

Qualifications

• Two years of professional engineering experience reviewing public works or land development projects.
• Possession of a California driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate encroachment permit requests, set conditions, and verify land rights and CEQA compliance.
• Review development proposals and civil drawings for impacts on Valley Water facilities.
• Prepare written correspondence and communicate with the public and staff.
• Assist in preparing documents for land rights transfers and joint use agreements.
• Respond to public records requests and inquiries related to flooding and land use.

Skills

Engineering principles

Water resources

Hydraulic analysis

Construction plans

Technical reporting

Public engagement

Independent research

Policy compliance

Time management

Team collaboration

Education

B.S. Civil Engineering

EIT Certification

Job description

While not required, if selected candidate has a P.E. license, a 2.5% differential would apply.

Overview:

The Community Projects Review unit receives, reviews, and responds to external land development projects, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) documents, feasibility studies, and master plans to determine compliance with Valley Water’s Water Resources Protection Ordinance and impacts to Valley Water interests, including water supplies and water utility, watershed and stream stewardship facilities.

This position will assist an Associate Engineer in the review of external environmental impact reports and civil drawings of development, public works, utility, or transit projects for impacts to Valley Water water supply, flood protection, and stream stewardship facilities and land rights. This position will prepare and communicate comments and concerns to cities, developers, utilities, and other permit applicants to develop solutions to resolve conflicts or reduce impacts. This position will prepare permits, set permit conditions, research land rights and record drawings, prepare documents and board agendas for land rights transfers, coordinate with other Valley Water business units, and read and interpret flood maps.

Our Commitment:

We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water:

Valley Water’s mission is to provide Santa Clara County with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. The FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget of $1.284 billion supports approximately 876 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluate encroachment permit requests and issue permits ensuring appropriate conditions, land rights, CEQA compliance, invoicing, and insurance requirements are met in accordance with Valley Water's Water Resources Protection Ordinance. Review land development proposals and external projects or planning documents impacting Valley Water facilities and provide technical assistance to cities and the county in reviewing hydraulic analysis and complying with NFIP requirements.
• Under supervision, review and comment on development projects, review and comment on civil drawings, conduct and review hydraulic analyses, review and research property records, identify appropriate permit conditions, review environmental assessments for impacts to Valley Water's interests.
• Prepare written correspondence and communicate verbally and in writing to the public and internal staff.
• Assist in the preparation of documents to facilitate the dedication or exchange of land rights and joint use agreements.
• Respond to public records requests, Access Valley Water requests, Board correspondence, and public inquiries related to flooding information, land rights, land use restrictions, and use of Valley Water right of way.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

Two (2) years of professional engineering experience reviewing and setting conditions for approval of public works, utility, transit, or other land development projects.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

• Apply engineering principles, practices, concepts, and standards to engineering problems.
• Apply water resources principles, practices, concepts, and standards to water supply planning, operations, and management, groundwater monitoring, contamination, and protection, and water quality problems.
• Prepare, understand, and interpret construction plans, specifications, drawings, and other engineering documents.
• Perform engineering and statistical calculations.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical engineering information and data in an effective manner.
• Learn to independently conduct comprehensive engineering studies, investigations, and analyses.
• Learn, interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, and District engineering policies and procedures.
• Learn to conduct engineering research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.
• Use office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Effectively represent the unit and Valley Water in meetings with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public.
• Organize and prioritize multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines, and best engineering practices.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Independently conduct comprehensive engineering studies, investigations, and analyses.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, and District engineering policies and procedures.
• Conduct engineering research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.

Ideal Knowledge:

• Principles, practices, concepts, and standards of engineering as applied to assigned field/specialty of engineering.
• Principles, practices, concepts, and standards of water resources management, natural resource management, engineering, hydrogeology, geology, hydrology, hydraulics, and/or environmental sciences.
• Principles and techniques for providing customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
• Principles and practices of numerical modeling and analysis, forecasting and risk analysis, and statistical analysis.
• Principles and practices of water supply planning, operations, and management, groundwater monitoring, contamination, and protection, water quality, and long-term water supply modeling and analysis.
• Principles of mathematics and its application to engineering work.
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective and technical reports.
• Office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary and punctuation.
• Each employee shall possess a reasonable understanding of their roles and responsibilities as defined in the District’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
• Principles and practices of project budgeting, cost estimation, funding, project management, and contract administration.
• Recent and ongoing engineering related developments, including information technology, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of assigned area of responsibility.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.

Ideal Training and Education:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a field related to assigned functional area(s).

OR

Possession of a valid California Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate with two (2) years of associated paraprofessional engineering experience.

Required License or Certificate

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

Community Projects Review Unit (Position Code 1008)

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.