Associate Engineer (Transportation)

City of Costa Mesa; California; On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking city as an Associate Engineer in Transportation Services, where you will play a vital role in enhancing mobility and safety in the community. This position offers the opportunity to work on diverse public works projects, from construction management to environmental compliance. You will collaborate with various stakeholders to implement innovative transportation solutions and ensure the efficient operation of the city’s infrastructure. If you are passionate about making a difference and have a strong background in civil engineering, this is the perfect opportunity to contribute to a vibrant community while advancing your career in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Exceptional Employee Benefits

Opportunities for Training and Development

Work-Life Balance

Community Engagement Programs

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years of experience in public works engineering.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise engineering staff and oversee public works projects.
• Manage the City’s Traffic Operations Center and related traffic systems.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Traffic Signal Improvements

Project Management

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Experience in Public Works Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Traffic Operations Center (TOC)

Job description

The City of Costa Mesa is seeking an Associate Engineer (Transportation Services) to join our team. If you have passion and experience in enhancing mobility, safety, and sustainability for all, take the next step with us! Help drive the future forward and play a key role in shaping our community’s transportation systems.

WHY WORK FOR COSTA MESA:

The City of Costa Mesa, with the motto "City of the Arts", is one of California's most eclectic and vibrant cities. Located just one mile from the Pacific Ocean and in the heart of Orange County, Costa Mesa is a great place to live, work and play. The City offers exceptional employee benefits, opportunities for training and development, and prides itself on its Core Values of Integrity, Sustainability, Compassion, Innovation, Inclusion and Collaboration.

THE POSITION:

Under general supervision, the Associate Engineer performs a variety of responsible and complex professional level civil engineering work in the field and office associated with the design, development, investigation, construction, and maintenance of public works projects. Incumbents supervise subordinate engineering staff members and may be assigned to work in any of the following assignments: Construction Management, Design, Park Development, Environmental Compliance, or Transportation Services. As the Associate Engineer is a journey level professional classification in the engineering series, assignments are usually broad in scope and require the use of considerable judgment in making complex technical decisions.

There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy assigned to the Transportation Services Division.

The Transportation Services Division is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the transportation infrastructure in the city and implementation of the General Plan Circulation Element. Candidates must possess a deep understanding of all traffic and transportation practices and principles. An ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator and possess prior experience with traffic signal improvements and Complete Streets implementation projects.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

Applications must be completed and submitted online. This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close without prior notice, therefore prompt application is encouraged.

First application review date: Friday, April 18, 2025.

Candidates are requested to provide specific information regarding their education and experience as it relates to the position by completing all fields of the application. Do not include "see attached resume" in your responses, as they will not be accepted or reviewed in the application process. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. Additional documents will not be reviewed during the application evaluation process. If selected to proceed further in the recruitment process, an opportunity to provide work samples, letters of recommendation, etc. will be appropriate during the interview process.

Based upon the information presented on the application, a limited number of candidates who possess qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. The selection process may include but is not limited to the following components: application review and evaluation, written examination or exercise, physical examination, practical exercise and interview evaluation. Please notify the Human Resources Division 72 hours in advance of the test date if you have a disability which requires accommodation for the testing process. The eligibility list will be in effect for one (1) year, unless exhausted sooner. The eligibility list from this recruitment may be utilized to fill lower-level vacancies which occur during the life of the list.

It is recommended you use a personal email address on your application instead of a work email address. Notifications during this recruitment will be sent by email only (regardless of the notification preference selected during the on-line application process). Notifications will be sent to the email address that is listed on your online application.

All employment offers made by the City are contingent upon establishing proof of a prospective candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States and successfully passing all components of the pre-employment process which may include, but is not limited to: comprehensive background check, criminal history check (Live Scan fingerprint check), polygraph examination, post-offer psychological evaluation and post-offer medical evaluation (may include drug screen).

Based upon current and/or future assignments, an employee may be subject to pre-employment, random, reasonable and post-accident drug and alcohol testing pursuant to the Department of Transportation Regulations.

Note: The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provisions contained within may be modified or revoked without notice.

These functions may not be present in all positions in this class. When a position is to be filled, the essential functions will be noted in the announcement of position availability. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind work assignments as needed.

Supervises the preparation of plans, specifications, estimates and final contracts for public works and maintenance projects.

Supervises and assists with the preparation of long-range programs, estimates, and recommendations for major street alignments and construction and storm drain projects; reviews improvement plans prior to approval; plans, develops and recommends street and highway financing programs.

Designs and reviews construction plans for Capital Improvement Projects.

Reviews and comments on development plans, traffic studies, and Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and develops necessary mitigation measures.

Prepares a variety of written materials, including staff and engineering reports.

Prepares, applies for, and manages grant funding from Federal, State, and local sources for projects.

Prepares and drafts Requests for Proposals and administers consultant selection process for the design of assigned capital projects; and administers constructions contracts during the constructions phase.

Negotiates contracts, change orders, and amendments.

Prepares and monitors project schedules.

Coordinates project activities with businesses, utilities, special districts and other City departments.

Serves as the City representative at meetings and promotes department and/or City objectives.

Responds to complaints and assists in solving problems related to public works projects, programs and services; interprets plans and policies; confers with and provides information to property owners, contractors, engineers, consultants and the general public on conformance to standards, plans, specifications and codes.

Maintains accurate records and files.

Studies, recommends, and implements changes in policies and procedures of the Public Services Department.

Assigns and supervises the activities of subordinate engineering, field and clerical staff members.

Assesses and manages workload and schedules of employee, contractors and vendors.

Performs other duties as assigned.

When assigned to the Transportation Services Division:

Manages the City’s Traffic Operations Center (TOC), traffic signals, CCTVs, radar speed feedback signs and communication hardware and software.

Develops and implements traffic signal timing and coordination plans along major arterials, and calculates Intersection Level of Services (LOS).

Prepares traffic and parking analyses.

A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and abilities to perform the duties and responsibilities of this classification is as follows:

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Considerable and progressively responsible professional experience in the field of civil engineering, which includes a minimum of two (2) years of full-time experience in public works engineering, construction or project management, and supervision of technical/professional personnel.

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in Civil Engineering or a related field.

An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience that provides the desired knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform essential functions may also be considered.

LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE:

Possession of, or the ability to obtain a valid Class C California Driver’s License, or higher, before date of appointment is required. Revocation of license during employment may result in disciplinary action or reassignment.

Certification as a Registered Civil Engineer in the State of California is highly desirable.

Certification as a Traffic Engineer in the State of California is highly desirable if assigned to the Transportation Services Division.

REQUISITE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL LEVELS:

Knowledge of modern office methods, procedures, practices, and equipment including computers and standard business software (i.e. Microsoft Office applications).

Knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering as related to the field of municipal public works including: Planning and development, design, surveying, construction, operation and maintenance and methods and practices of acquisition of real property.

Knowledge of procedures in preparation of specifications, estimates, plans, designs, and contract agreements.

Knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, and codes, as they relate to the design and construction of Public Works projects.

Knowledge of and skill in applying the principles and practices of public works administration, budgeting, management, and supervision.

Knowledge of Capital Improvement Program budgeting, cost estimation, funding, project management, and contract administration.

When assigned to the Transportation Services Division:

Knowledge of principles and practices of Civil Engineering related to the design and construction of streets, signing and striping plans, and traffic signals.

REQUISITE ABILITIES:

Ability to establish design procedures.

Ability to collect, research, compile, and analyze information and data.

Ability to accurately analyze and evaluate design calculations, and specifications for capital improvement projects.

Ability to read and review architectural plans and construction documents.

Ability to work effectively with representatives of other City departments, contractors, property owners, developers, consulting engineers, representatives of other governmental agencies, and the general public.

Ability to prepare clear and definitive reports on a wide scale of engineering activities.

Ability to interpret, explain, and apply departmental policies and procedures, and pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Ability to maintain professionalism at all times, in person and over the phone, including stressful situations and when handling disputes or complaints.

Ability to understand and implement principals, practices, methods, and techniques of inspection, code violation investigation, enforcement, water sampling and testing; and ability to identify common storm water pollutants and possible sources when assigned to Environmental Compliance.

Ability to organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner, organize work and set priorities, track schedules and meet critical time deadlines.

PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISASTER SERVICE WORKER:

In accordance with Government Code Section 3100 – all City of Costa Mesa employees are required to perform assigned disaster service worker duties in the event of an emergency or a disaster.

PHYSICAL TASKS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Please contact Human Resources for a summary of the essential tasks and environmental factors for this classification.

Employee accommodations for physical or mental disabilities will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The City of Costa Mesa is an Equal Opportunity Employer.