Associate Civil Engineer or Sr Civil Engineer

San Diego County Water Authority; Spring Valley (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Otay Water District seeks an Associate Civil Engineer or Sr. Civil Engineer to lead planning, design, and construction management for water and wastewater facilities. You will manage consultants, evaluate bids, and coordinate contract documents, with oversight from Engineering leadership.

This role requires a CA PE license, a BS in Civil Engineering, and strong project management skills. Duties include design reviews, budgets, and ensuring compliance with District standards across major CIP

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering required.
• Calif. Professional Civil Engineer license required.
• Valid California Driverer Moore's License (or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, design, and construction management for water facilities.
• Administer consultant contracts and evaluate bids.
• Prepare staff reports and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Conduct site inspections and ensure compliance with standards.

Education

Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering

Job description

Associate Civil Engineer or Sr Civil Engineer

General Duties

Associate Civil Engineer or Sr Civil Engineer

Ideal Candidate

Are you a Civil Engineer who can design water/wastewater infrastructures in a time sensitive manner? Do you possess exceptional problem‑solving skills? The ideal candidate will administer and evaluate consultant proposals and bids and assist in drafting and finalizing proposals and contract documents for bidding and award.

Did your military service involve planning infrastructure projects, managing construction efforts, analyzing technical data, or coordinating complex operations? We’re looking for individuals with strong problem‑solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage projects from planning through completion, capabilities often developed through military service. If you served in roles such as a Navy Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) Officer or Navy Seabee (BU/CE/EA), Army Engineer Officer (12A), Marine Corps Combat Engineer (1371), or Air Force Civil Engineer (3E career field), your background could make you an excellent fit for our team.

Experience in project planning, design review, construction management, contract coordination, and infrastructure analysis directly aligns with this position. These roles often require managing timelines, budgets, and contractors while ensuring quality and compliance, core functions of this role. Bring your leadership, technical expertise, and mission‑focused mindset to a career supporting critical public infrastructure and community development.

The Otay Water District offers excellent benefits, a balanced work/life environment and is a leader in the industry.

About the Position and Department

We currently have one (1) vacancy and are looking to appoint at either of the following levels depending upon qualifications and experience: Sr. Civil Engineer or Associate Civil Engineer. This position is in the Design/Planning/Water Resources Section of the Engineering Department and reports directly to an Engineering Manager. The position is responsible for the planning, design, construction management and overall project management of Otay Water District Facilities.

The Engineering Department is responsible for the Planning, Budgeting, Design and Construction, and inspection of all Otay Water District facilities as well as the administration of all developer and new customer construction and service applications. Projects include planning, engineering and design facilities for water, recycled water, sewer and support facilities, such as pipelines, reservoirs, pump stations, wells ponds, and a treatment plant. The Engineering Department also manages a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) of approximately $19 million (2026). The Department has a staff of approximately 29 employees, supplemented by the services of consultants.

Applications will be accepted until a sufficient number of highly qualified applicants is found. For earliest consideration, submit application materials by May 4, 2026.

Examples of Duties

Both Sr. Civil and Associate Civil Engineer Duties Include:

• Assists with the development and implementation of the District’s Strategic Plan and Performance Measures and Asset Management Program.
• Prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Represents and participates in the District in administrative hearings, public meetings, related investigations and inter‑agency coordinated efforts.
• Plans, schedules, and monitors progress on projects to ensure completion on schedule and within budget. Recommends changes to meet goals.
• Prepares design calculations, detailed drawings, and specifications for various water, wastewater, and reclamation facility projects.
• Drafts and finalizes proposals and contract documents for bidding of contractor services. Administers and evaluates proposals and bids. Prepares and presents Board staff reports recommending action.
• Administers consultant selection process and reviews, evaluates, and reports on work prepared by consultants. Administers consultant contracts.
• Prepares and finalizes reimbursement and financing agreements with developers.

Sr. Civil Engineer Duties Include:

• Serves as a project manager on District projects, directing the work of assigned project staff and consultants in the planning, design, and construction of District facilities.
• Administers the design and preparation of major capital projects utilizing consulting engineering firms or in‑house staff; prepares cost estimates; reviews drawings and specifications for compliance with District standards; interprets specifications and District policies and initiates or reviews change orders.
• Assists with input and preparation of the fiscal year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget and monitors budget expenditures.
• Initiates and approves purchasing requisitions.
• Prepares, analyzes and maintains a variety of computerized reports and records.
• Assists with resolution of technical and complex issues.
• Assesses and monitors workload. Identifies opportunities for improvement and reviews with Engineering Manager and/or the Chief, Engineering and implements improvements.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the section’s annual budget. Directs the forecast of additional funds needed for equipment, materials, and supplies. Monitors and approves expenditures. Directs and implements adjustments as necessary.
• Represents the District in negotiations with developers, contractors, and consultants on fees and charges associated with design and construction of new facilities; and reviews, evaluates, and reports on work prepared by consultants and administers consultant contracts, including approval of invoices.
• Researches, applies and follows up on grant applications.
• Actively researches new sources of both potable and recycled water.
• Provides staff assistance to the Chief, Engineering.
• Directly manages the District’s documents such as Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), Water Facilities Master Plan (WFMP), Wastewater Master Plan (WWMP) and others as required.
• Provides guidance as project manager and evaluates work of professional and technical staff.
• Conducts construction site inspections to follow project progress and resolves problems related to drawings, materials, and workmanship; approves change orders or obtains necessary authorizations.
• Actively participates in District facility planning and the Capital Improvements Program, including determination of projects, budgets and scheduling.
• Designs and conducts investigations, studies, tests, and uses computer modeling to evaluate District facilities and operations.
• Prepares reports and analyses, develops recommendations and projects requirements related to District and area expansion in response to projected service demands.
• Interprets policies and procedures established by regulatory agencies and researches new materials and methods for inclusion in District construction standards.
• Interprets data from tests made on materials in field and laboratory for conformance to construction documents.
• Provides technical guidance to District personnel; serves as an interpreter and liaison between Section personnel and professional engineers; and chairs and participates in meetings related to project planning, design and construction.

Associate Civil Engineer Duties Include:

• Serves as a project manager on minor and major District projects, directing the work of assigned project staff and consultants in the planning, design, and construction of District facilities.
• Makes construction site inspections to follow project progress and resolves problems related to drawings, materials, and workmanship; approves change orders or obtains necessary authorizations.
• Designs and conducts investigations and studies, researches and develops recommendations, and prepares reports associated with District facilities and operations.
• Coordinates and reviews the work of engineers, consultants, technicians, drafters, inspectors, and surveyors assigned to a project.
• Interprets data from tests made on materials in field and laboratory for conformance to construction documents.
• Analyzes hydraulics, prepares computer models, and tests pipelines to establish rate of flow and pressure for operations purposes. Collects and evaluates data to project future pipeline and storage requirements.
• Conducts and participates in meetings related to project planning, design, construction, and inter‑agency coordination.
• Prepares agendas and issues comprehensive meeting minutes.
• Performs as Staff Engineer for the Maintenance, Operations, and Construction Sections. Serves as an interpreter and liaison between Section personnel and professional engineers.
• Participates in continuous improvement; develops standards, guidelines, and productivity indicators; and documents processes of same.

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

• A valid California Driver’s License.
• A valid certificate of registration as a Professional Civil Engineer issued by the State of California.

Minimum Experience, Education, and Training Requirements

• Experience - Senior Civil Engineer: Five (5) years experience in civil engineering preferably performing planning, design and project management for water, wastewater, and reclaimed water facilities, including three (3) years of experience managing consultants.
• Experience - Associate Civil Engineer: Three (3) years experience in civil engineering preferably performing planning, design, and project management for water, wastewater and recycled water facilities projects and operations.
• Education - Both positions require a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.

Otay Water District is a Smoking, Tobacco and Nicotine Free Campus. All Otay Water District employees are at‑will pursuant to California Water Code, Section 71362.

To apply, visit: https://apptrkr.com/7094091