Associate Engineer

APWA Inland Empire Branch; California (MO); On-site; USD 90,438 - 112,944; Full time

Job summary

City of Wildomar is seeking an Associate Engineer to join the Public Works Department. The role involves civil engineering design, project management, and coordination with internal staff and external agencies on land development, capital projects, and traffic-related initiatives.

Candidates should have three years of professional civil engineering experience, a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field, and a valid California driver’s license.

Qualifications

• Three years of professional civil engineering and project management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field; Master’s degree desirable.
• Civil engineering licensure or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) desirable; valid California driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Review procedures to ensure compliance with policies and quality control standards.
• Prepare studies, cost analyses, specifications, and technical reports for public works projects.
• Coordinate engineering activities and represent the City in meetings with staff and external agencies.
• Provide lead direction to staff and coordinate work on projects.
• Ensure compliance with safety rules and regulations; monitor contracts with consultants and vendors.
• Maintain records and assist in preparing capital improvement budgets.

Skills

Public works engineering knowledge

Project management

Civil engineering principles

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field

Master’s degree desirable

Tools

CA driver’s license

Job description

Associate Engineer

$43.48 - $54.30 Hourly ($90,438.40 - $112,944.00 Annually) – effective July 1, 2025: $50.34 - $62.86 Hourly ($104,707.20 - $130,478.80 Annually)

The City of Wildomar is recruiting an Associate Engineer to join our rapidly growing Public Works Department. Candidates will demonstrate knowledge in various areas of Public Works engineering and be ready to help develop a robust team.

Definition

Under general supervision, performs responsible, complex and professional civil engineering and technical work in the field or office associated with the design, development, investigation, construction and maintenance of land development projects, public works and/or capital projects. Assists with project management as part of a team and performs related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Associate Engineer is the journey level classification in the Engineering series. Incumbents are expected to perform with a high degree of independence, preparing designs and fully managing mid‑size projects or managing aspects of large and complex projects as part of a team. They work independently on assignments and coordinate and lead the work of less experienced staff.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Receives direct supervision from a Senior Engineer, Principal Engineer, and/or Public Works Director/City Engineer. May exercise lead direction over professional, para‑professional, technical, administrative, and skilled staff as assigned.

Examples of Duties

• Review operational procedures to ensure compliance with applicable policies and quality control standards; recommend changes to departmental procedures, policies, and regulations, including engineering design standards.
• Prepare specialized studies, cost analysis studies, specifications; compile and analyze statistical data and prepare technical reports relating to public works and/or capital projects.
• Coordinate engineering activities and represent the City in meetings with other department staff, City personnel, and external agencies to ensure timely progress. May attend and present to City committees and commissions.
• Provide lead direction to other staff and coordinate work.
• Provide technical assistance to other departments and City personnel.
• Evaluate compliance with laws, ordinances, and accepted engineering standards; recommend corrections or improvements.
• Monitor contracts with consultants and vendors.
• Maintain records in accordance with departmental policy.
• Participate in developing and implementing systems and procedures to meet division goals, objectives, and policies.
• Attend workshops and participate in professional groups and committees; stay abreast of new trends and innovations; answer questions and provide information to the public; investigate inquiries; recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature.

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Division Duties

• Participate in preparation and review of special projects, project specifications, and provide public counter support.
• Review preliminary and final engineering plans, cost estimates, and specifications for public works municipal projects; evaluate compliance and recommend improvements.
• Prepare requests for proposals for projects requiring contract engineering work; direct cost estimates for competitive bidding.
• Review plans of consulting engineering firms; conduct pre‑construction conferences; perform construction contract modifications; negotiate contract changes.
• Assist in preparing cost projections for the department budget; monitor expenditures; assist in preparing annual capital improvement budgets.
• Examine, prepare, and maintain designs, specifications, plans, estimates, and reports for various capital improvement projects.
• Investigate public works, municipal, and capital projects; assist with contract negotiations; make recommendations for contract change orders.
• Assist inspectors with coordination of assigned projects.

Land Development Division Duties

• Participate in preparation and review of private development plans, subdivisions, special projects, and project specifications; provide public counter support.
• Serve as liaison with engineers and consultants to assist in design of land development projects.
• Participate in preparation and review of preliminary and final engineering plans, subdivision plans, and cost estimates; evaluate compliance and recommend improvements.
• Prepare legal descriptions and deeds for easements and rights‑of‑way.
• Provide assistance to the public regarding City land development policies and procedures.

Traffic Engineering Division Duties

• Participate in preparation and review of traffic control plans, traffic signal plans, signing and striping plans, cost estimates and specifications.
• Coordinate design and construction of traffic signals, signing and striping, and CCTV camera and communication projects.
• Compile and analyze statistical data, including traffic counts, accident history, speed surveys, channelization studies, signal timing and coordination; make recommendations.
• Review development plans, traffic impact analyses and recommend mitigation measures.
• Coordinate consultants and traffic signal maintenance personnel.
• Develop traffic engineering programs, policies, and procedures.
• Determine need for certain types of traffic control devices.

Environmental/Water Quality Duties

• Participate in preparation and review of private development plans, subdivisions, special projects; perform plan checks relating to Water Quality Management Plans (WQMP).
• Participate in preparation and review of preliminary and final plans and reports for public works and municipal projects.
• Evaluate compliance with laws, ordinances, and accepted WQMP standards; recommend corrections or improvements.
• Coordinate consultants and review work of Division field personnel.
• Develop public works and municipal programs and procedures.

Typical Qualifications

• Knowledge of public works engineering programs including streets, signals, traffic control systems, parks, City facilities, and water/wastewater systems.
• Civil, traffic or environmental engineering principles.
• Modern principles and practices of civil engineering design and construction (roadway design, traffic, grading, hydrology, soils, pavements, environmental compliance, water quality).
• Planning, design, and construction of municipal public works projects.
• Overview of land development project preparation.
• Pertinent laws and regulations (CEQA, Subdivision Map Act, Public Contracts Code).
• Budgets, contracts, agreements, plans, specifications, procedures, and forms associated with public works projects.
• Principles and techniques of engineering, drafting, and estimating.
• Alternative financing mechanisms for public works projects.
• Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction.
• Construction surveying principles and practices.
• Project and construction management principles and practices.
• Contract administration principles and practices.
• Technical civil engineering report preparation terminology and techniques.
• Mathematical principles applied to engineering work.
• Grant programs, applications, and compliance.
• City government organization, functions, and management principles.
• Customer service techniques for dealing with public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• Research, statistical analysis, and report preparation techniques.
• Effective record‑keeping and maintenance techniques.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and supporting software.
• Current literature and sources of information related to operations of assigned areas.
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Ability To

• Perform professional and increasingly complex engineering duties supporting comprehensive public works engineering and construction programs.
• Conduct engineering studies and develop appropriate recommendations.
• Review and check increasingly complex engineering designs, computations, plans, and studies.
• Respond to emergency and problem situations effectively.
• Interpret and reconcile expenditure reports.
• Perform technical research and solve complex engineering problems.
• Prepare and maintain technical civil engineering records and comprehensive reports.
• Compile technical data; prepare statistical and narrative reports from field studies.
• Develop, review, and modify civil engineering plans, designs, and specifications.
• Exercise professional engineering judgment to achieve objectives consistently.
• Understand organization, operation, and services of the City and outside agencies.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Exercise sound judgment and common sense.
• Organize and prioritize projects, set priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations.
• Develop and maintain effective interdepartmental coordination.
• Demonstrate appreciation of cultural diversity.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Operate office equipment, including computers and supporting applications.
• Maintain filing, record‑keeping, and tracking systems.
• Ensure adherence to safe work practices and procedures.
• Operate a vehicle, observing legal and defensive driving practices.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Required

• Experience:
  • Associate Engineer: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional level experience in civil engineering and project management.
• Training:
  • Associate Engineer: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or an engineering‑related field. A Master’s degree in a related field is desirable.
• Licenses and Certifications:
  • All Positions: Possession of a State of California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the City’s vehicle insurance program.
  • CIP Division and Land Development Division Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) Certificate or Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers is highly desirable.
  • Land Development Division Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) Certificate / Land Surveyor‑in‑Training (LSIT) Certificate or Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer and/or Land Surveyor issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers is highly desirable.
  • Environmental/Water Quality Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) Certificate or Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers is desirable.
  • Certified as a Qualified Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP) Practitioner and Developer (QSP/QSD) and/or Certified Professional in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ) is desirable.
  • Traffic Engineering Division Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) Certificate or Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer or Traffic Engineer in the State of California is desirable. Certified to operate a Radar Unit is desirable.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions

The work environment is an office setting with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature. Employees may interact with staff, the public, and private representatives in various settings including the field or remote offices for meetings. The incumbent will be exposed to outdoor environmental elements, varying temperatures, moderate exterior noise, and may have limited exposure to dust and fumes.

Physical Demands

Requires mobility to work in an office setting using standard office equipment and a computer. Must operate a motor vehicle to visit City sites. Color vision is required. Hearing and speech are required for communication. Touch is required for handling documents and using a computer. Finger dexterity is needed for keyboard and calculator use. Must be able to sit for prolonged periods. Positions may involve bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, pushing, and pulling drawers. Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 25 pounds. May require inspections in the field involving noise exposure and uneven ground.

Mental Demands

Requires written and oral communication skills; reading, interpreting data, and documents; analyzing and solving problems; using math and reasoning; observing and interpreting people and situations; learning and applying new information; performing detailed work; handling changing deadlines, interruptions, and concurrent tasks; interacting with others encountered in the course of work.