Asst Department Director

The City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined retirement plan

Free transit pass (MTS)

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

The City of San Diego is seeking an Assistant Director for the Engineering & Capital Projects Department. This executive role leads Design and Construction Branches and oversees major CIP projects across water, transportation, parks, and municipal facilities.

Ideal candidates demonstrate broad executive leadership across planning, design, and construction, with strong customer service focus and accountability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field, plus CA PE license.
• Ten years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience, including at least ten years in management/policy roles.
• Advanced engineering degree is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements goals, objectives, and policies for E&CP.
• Supervises professional, technical, and administrative staff and evaluates performance.
• Coordinates activities with other departments and outside agencies; prepares reports for Mayor/City Council.
• Provides management direction for engineering services and capital projects (design, construction management, contracting, inspection).
• Directs major CIP projects (public buildings, parks, streets, water/sewer).
• Maintains relationships with City departments to ensure timely, cost-effective project delivery.
• Acts as chief engineering advisor to E&CP Director and city departments; ensures regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Civil Engineering

Project Management

Contract Management

Regulatory Compliance

Communication

Education

B.S. in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (CA)

Advanced engineering degree (desirable)

Job description

Division: Strategic Capital Projects Branch

Job Type: Unclassified

Business Area: Engineering & Capital Projects

Closing Date: 09/03/2026

The Engineering & Capital Projects Department is recruiting for an Assistant Director for one of its Technical Branches. The resulting candidate pool may also be considered for future Assistant Director vacancies within E&CP’s Technical Branches, should one arise during the applicable recruitment period. Candidates should demonstrate broad executive leadership capabilities across the full project delivery lifecycle, from planning and design through construction to project completion.

The Design Branch is primarily responsible for the planning, design, engineering, and project management of a diverse portfolio of infrastructure and facility projects, including water and wastewater infrastructure, transportation, stormwater, parks and public facilities, utilities, and other critical public assets. The Design Branch also focuses on delivering complex, unique projects from inception to completion through alternative project delivery methods.

The Construction Branch is primarily responsible for construction management and engineering support services of the CIP and Private Permits. The branch manages the construction phase of a diverse portfolio of infrastructure and facility projects, including water and wastewater infrastructure, transportation, stormwater, parks and public facilities, utilities, and other critical public assets through final acceptance, including, but not limited to, construction contract inspection and administration, traffic permits, materials testing, land surveying services, stormwater compliance, and geological assessment/support.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced and collaborative leader with a strong understanding of capital project delivery and the ability to lead multidisciplinary professional and technical teams. The Assistant Director will be expected to enhance E&CP’s focus on customer service, project delivery, design and construction excellence, operational efficiency, contract and consultant management, accountability, responsiveness, collaboration, and innovation while ensuring projects are delivered in accordance with City standards, regulatory requirements, fiscal responsibilities, and community priorities.

The Assistant Director will also serve as the Deputy Chief City Engineer and will be delegated key authorities and responsibilities of the City Engineer necessary to provide executive oversight of engineering standards, practices, and technical requirements supporting the effective delivery of the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP). In this capacity, the Deputy Chief City Engineer will help ensure consistency, quality, regulatory compliance, and professional accountability across the City’s engineering and capital project delivery functions.

Key Areas Of Responsibility

• Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, procedures and performance standards for E&CP;
• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, reviews and evaluates the work of professional engineering, technical and administrative staff, though subordinate supervisor;
• Coordinates E&CP activities with other departments, outside agencies and organizations;
• Provides staff assistance to the Mayor and City Council and relevant boards and commissions; and prepares and presents reports and other necessary correspondence;
• Provides management direction for engineering services and capital projects, including design, construction management, contracting and inspection services;
• Participates in the development and administration of the Department’s budget, assists with the development of the City’s CIP budget, and participates in various Citywide presentations as part of the approval process;
• Directs the City’s major CIP Projects, including public buildings, park assets, street improvements and water/sewer projects;
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with various City departments including the Public Utilities, Transportation, and Storm Water Departments to ensure capital projects are managed in a timely and cost-effective manner;
• Provides professional and technical engineering advice to the E&CP Director, other City departments, and maintains professional standards for engineering services provided throughout the City;
• Serves as focal point and arbitrator of disputes and interpretation of engineering and construction management policies and regulations;
• Provides Citywide leadership in developing and enhancing construction methodologies;
• Represents E&CP and interest of the City to outside groups and organizations; and provides technical assistance as necessary;
• Maintains strong regional involvement with other public agencies, trade groups and regulatory entities; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates these qualifications may be qualifying. Mandatory requirements include possession of a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering or another engineering discipline, registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California, and ten (10) years of progressively more responsible civil engineering experience, including at least ten (10) years at the management and policy making level with direction over professional staff. Possession of an advanced engineering degree is highly desirable.

Desirable Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Is a current professional engineer registered with the State of California
• A commitment to public service, fiscal responsibility, and innovation in government;
• Substantial, progressively responsible management experience that demonstrates the ability to direct a major operating department;
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to proactively identify and support creative and viable business solutions;
• The ability to balance competing interests in a regulatory and political environment;
• Demonstrated success in managing large multi-year capital improvement projects;
• Competency in exercising fiduciary responsibilities to protect the interests of the City and the public;
• Strong experience and background in public works management and engineering;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Focus on enhanced customer service and customer satisfaction;
• Strong interpersonal leadership skills, with the ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of stakeholders; and
• Active and genuine commitment to managing diversity in the workplace and encouraging high performing teams.

The Department

The Engineering & Capital Projects (E&CP) Department provides a comprehensive range of professional engineering and project delivery services supporting the City of San Diego’s investment in public infrastructure. E&CP is responsible for the planning, design, engineering, project management, and construction management of public improvement projects, as well as quality assurance and inspection of permitted work within the public right-of-way, land surveying, and construction materials testing.

Through the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), E&CP delivers projects that rehabilitate, replace, improve, and expand the public infrastructure and facilities essential to San Diego’s communities and quality of life. The Department manages a diverse portfolio of capital projects, utilizing a variety of project delivery methods, including libraries; fire, lifeguard, and police facilities; parks and recreation centers; streets, bikeways, traffic signals, streetlights, and other transportation improvements; stormwater, drainage, and flood control infrastructure; water and wastewater pipelines, treatment plants, and pump stations; and utility undergrounding projects. Collectively, these investments help modernize the City’s infrastructure, enhance public services, improve safety and mobility, and support the long-term resilience and sustainability of San Diego’s communities.

The Engineering & Capital Projects Department is organized into three branches: the Design and Construction Branch; the two Technical Branches, which focus on Project Delivery; and the Finance & Operations Branch, which provides the financial, administrative, operational, and project support necessary to advance the Department’s Capital Improvement Program and overall operations.

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
• A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
• 11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
• Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
• Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
• Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
• Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
• Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
• Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
• Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
• City-paid life insurance.

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at [phone].

The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.