Associate Civil Engineer (Geotechnical Engineering)

EBMUD; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 157,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) seeks an Associate Civil Engineer with strong geotechnical expertise to lead multi-disciplinary teams on complex projects within the Geotechnical Engineering Section. You will manage dam safety capital programs, perform analyses, and coordinate with regulators.

Applicants should have project planning/management experience, detailed design skills, and excellent communication. Flexible/hybrid work-from-home options may be available.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited civil/geotechnical engineering degree or CA EIT.
• Four years of civil/geotechnical experience post-degree, incl two at Assistant Engineer level.
• California licensure as Professional Civil Engineer required; Geotechnical specialty desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-disciplinary teams as project manager on complex projects.
• Perform design, feasibility studies, life-cycle cost analyses and risk mitigation.
• Develop scope, schedules, budgets; manage consultant contracts and submittals.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Project management

Dam evaluation

Field investigations

Surveillance monitoring

Multi-disciplinary leadership

Education

ABET-accredited Civil/Geotechnical Engineering degree

California EIT Certificate

California PE registration

Geotechnical Engineer specialty (CA) desirable

Job description

The Position

The East Bay Municipal Utility District’s (EBMUD’s) Geotechnical Engineering Section (GES), part of the Engineering & Construction Department’s Engineering Services Division, is currently seeking an Associate Civil Engineer who is a motivated and energetic team player with experience in geotechnical engineering, project management, evaluations of dams and structures, as well as surveillance monitoring of dams, field investigations and evaluation of municipal water and wastewater structures and facilities.

This individual will lead multi-disciplinary engineering teams as a project manager on complex engineering projects. GES supports the Engineering & Construction Department’s Dam Safety Capital Improvement Program, where projects include retrofits to dams, outlet towers, and spillways. Additional geotechnical work includes the evaluation of existing and proposed tunnels, trenchless installations, and deep foundations. The incumbent will also perform complex engineering analyses and calculations as needed.

The most competitive candidates will possess significant knowledge and experience in project planning and management, as well as a thorough knowledge of geotechnical engineering principles and practices. Other requirements include performing detailed design work (i.e. scope development, engineering calculations, technical memorandums, etc.), preparing project feasibility studies and life cycle cost analyses, identifying and mitigating project risks, developing and administering consultant contracts, preparing and comprehending construction contract documents (plans and specifications), reviewing submittals and RFIs, preparing cost estimates and project schedules, and applying other related civil engineering principles and practices.

This individual should have experience as the project lead on multi-disciplinary engineering projects directing the work of other engineers, as well as preparing and delivering technical presentations. In addition, candidates should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, have good interpersonal skills (working with other engineers, operations and maintenance staff, federal and state dam safety regulators and other agencies, contractors, consultants, etc.), and be able to work independently with minimal supervision.

Flexible/hybrid work from home schedule may be available for some positions in this job classification.

The salary range is $13,124 per month increasing to $13,780, $14,469, $15,192 and $15,952 after 6, 18, 30, and 42 months, respectively.

EBMUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, marital or registered domestic partnership status, age for individuals age forty or older, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical), medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veterans status, family or medical leave status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical condition), pregnancy disability leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and other categories protected by federal, state and/or local laws.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in an ABET-accredited civil or geotechnical engineering curriculum OR a California EIT Certificate;
• Four years of professional civil and/or geotechnical engineering experience (subsequent to obtaining the degree), including at least two years of experience at the level of EBMUD’s Assistant Engineer classification; AND
• California registration as a Professional Civil Engineer.

NOTE: California specialty registration as a Geotechnical Engineer is highly desirable.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. To be considered under the “equivalent combination of education and experience” provision, it is your responsibility to include in your application materials written evidence of employment performed at the level of the typical duties of this position and/or coursework in subject areas directly related to this position. For more information, see our FAQ page at http://www.ebmud.com/jobs/job-resources/job-faqs-frequently-asked-questions/.

The Selection Process

• Submit a completed EBMUD application and the required supplemental question responses online at www.ebmud.com by 4:30 p.m., Friday, September 4, 2026. Only application materials submitted online during the filing period will be accepted.
• Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test part in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.
• All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, with those candidates receiving a passing score to be invited to a panel interview tentatively scheduled for October 2026.
• Successful candidates will be placed on the hiring list, based on rank, for further consideration to fill the current regular vacancy, as well as others occurring over the next 12 to 24 months.
• The probation period for this position is 12 months. For those holding civil service status the probation period is 6 months.
• All employment offers are conditional, pending the results of a Live Scan background screening. All selected finalists must participate in the Live Scan background screening process to remain in consideration for EBMUD employment.

Supplemental Information

As the first step in the selection process, responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted online with your regular EBMUD application. You will be evaluated on a competitive basis and only candidates passing the competitive application review will continue in the selection process. Describe your work experience clearly, thoroughly, and accurately. Be sure to include your employer's name and the time period of the experience you are describing. Be specific and succinct. Your responses should demonstrate your ability to write concise and well-organized documents using correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

The questions cover a range of work responsibilities. Although you may use the same experience as the basis for answering more than one question, describing a variety of experiences will provide the panel with a better understanding of the breadth and depth of your experience. When describing your experience, please confine your remarks to assignments you have personally performed. Should you respond with comments such as “see application” or “see resume” instead of addressing the questions directly, your application may not be considered. NOTE: Any experience mentioned in your supplemental responses must be represented in your work history in your application.

PLEASE NOTE: While we understand applicants may use various tools to support the preparation of their materials, responses that appear to be primarily generated by AI tools, without meaningful personalization or demonstration of the applicant’s own qualifications, may result in disqualification from the selection process.

Regular/Probationary Positions

• 12 days paid vacation; 16 holidays; 13 days paid sick leave;
• Family health insurance (choice of Kaiser fully paid or Sutter Health Plus or Anthem Blue Cross 85% paid);
• Fully paid family dental and vision care plans; life insurance; long-term disability insurance;
• EBMUD Retirement Plan (reciprocal with CalPERS);
• $1,000/yr. contributed to flexible spending account or cash;
• $145/mo. public transit subsidy;
• 401(k), 401(a) and 457(b) tax-deferred retirement plans; Roth 401(k);
• $3,500/yr. tuition reimbursement;
• And opportunities for professional growth including training and career development.

Temporary / Limited Term / Temporary Construction Positions

Temporary (T) - Full-time, Temporary (T) employees are eligible for health benefits but are not members of the EBMUD Employees' Retirement Plan and do not have civil service status.

Limited Term (LT) - Full-time, Limited-term (LT) employees are eligible for health benefits but are not members of the EBMUD Employees' Retirement Plan and do not have civil service status.

Temporary Construction (TC) - Full-time, Temporary Construction (TC) employees are eligible for health benefits but are not members of the EBMUD Employees' Retirement Plan and do not have civil service status.

NOTE: EBMUD employees with Civil Service status retain all benefits.

01

Are you registered in the state of California as a Professional Civil Engineer?

• Yes
• No

02

If so, list your P.E. license number

03

Are you registered in the state of California as a Geotechnical Engineer?

• Yes
• No

04

If so, list your G.E. license number.

05

Describe your geotechnical engineering experience, including analyses and evaluations, field investigation, and laboratory testing experience. Please also include instances where you have planned and directed work.

06

Briefly describe your use of computer software to perform state-of-the-art geotechnical evaluations using analytical methods. Please include the typical steps required in the analysis, and any instances where you have planned and directed work.

07

Describe your project management experience where you directed a multi-disciplinary project team. Describe the project and your role and responsibility in developing and tracking the scope, schedule, and budget. Also describe any challenges on the project, how you resolved them, and whether the project was completed successfully.

Required Question