Civil Engineer

County of Orange; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Orange seeks a Civil Engineer in the Environmental Health Division's Solid Waste Program in Santa Ana, CA. The LEA conducts licensing, permitting, and inspections to protect public health and the environment.

The role focuses on reviewing technical plans, overseeing landfill closures, coordinating with CalRecycle and local agencies, and providing expert testimony when needed.

Qualifications

• Two+ years of civil engineering experience, preferably in solid waste or regulatory settings.
• Knowledge of CEQA, environmental regulations, and landfill operations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical reports and public meetings.
• Ability to coordinate with multiple agencies and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Apply solid waste laws and regulations to review projects.
• Inspect landfills and assist in permit development.
• Evaluate and comment on engineering plans for closures and gas systems.
• Prepare CEQA documents in coordination with the County Planning Department.

Skills

Civil engineering

Regulatory knowledge

Site inspections

Technical reports

Tools

Microsoft Word Suite

CAD

Blue Beam

Job description

Civil Engineer

Environmental Health Division, Land & Water Quality Section

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment is open to the public and will remain open on a continuous basis until 11:59pm (PST) on the day the department’s needs are met. The first round of consideration is Thursday, April 23, 2026.

HEALTH CARE AGENCY

The County of Orange Health Care Agency (HCA) is a dynamic organization dedicated to creating and supporting an environment that promotes the achievement of optimal individual, family and community health. Under the leadership of the Agency Director, a dynamic executive team with an organizational structure comprised of five (5) service areas – Administrative Services, Behavioral Health Services, Correctional Health Services, Public Health Services, and Specialized Medical Services – is committed to meeting the health needs of the diverse Orange County community.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH DIVISION

The Environmental Health Division (EH) is comprised of multiple programs aimed toward protecting the health and safety of Orange County residents and visitors from harmful conditions in the environment. Staff enforce laws and regulations and emphasize education to assist businesses and communities with creating and maintaining healthy and safe communities. Services include retail and wholesale food protection, foodborne illness investigations, public pool inspections, childhood lead exposure prevention, water quality, ocean water protection, solid waste facility oversight, hazardous materials surveillance and mitigation oversight, underground and aboveground storage tank oversight, body art facility and practitioner oversight, medical waste management inspections and a used oil recycling education program.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Civil Engineer (CE) in the Solid Waste Program, as the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA), works on completing engineering reviews, facilitating permitting, and conducting inspections and specialized technical tasks related to field inspection and site investigation. The Civil Engineer performs regulatory duties and responsibilities involved in comprehensive Solid Waste enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Effectively applying knowledge of solid waste laws and regulations, local ordinances, and the LEA Enforcement Program Plan
• Performing office and field work for the LEA in inspecting solid waste operations with primary focus on sanitary landfills (post-regulated facilities), closed disposal sites (pre-regulated facilities), greeneries, and transfer stations/material recovery facilities
• Evaluating technical documents and preparing solid waste facility permits for active sanitary landfills
• Conducting on-site evaluations of landfills during closure construction to determine compliance with approved closure/post closure plans
• Conducting field investigations and sampling (when needed) in evaluating potential threats to public health and the environment from active and closed landfills
• Evaluating engineering plans and documents pertaining to landfill closures, landfill gas collection and monitoring systems, landfill erosion control systems, landfill design plans, and landfill operations
• Reviewing landfill gas monitoring data and determining compliance with state/local laws and regulations
• Conducting evaluation of closed disposal sites proposing redevelopment to determine compliance with post-closure land use plans and post-closure maintenance plans
• Evaluating reports, technical documents, and engineering plans related to redevelopment projects on closed, inactive, and abandoned (CIA) disposal sites
• Maintaining liaison with CalRecycle, other regulatory agencies, cities, and county agencies while working on various solid waste projects
• Reviewing, evaluating, and providing technical comments on documents pertaining to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) on solid waste projects; Working in coordination with the County Planning Department in preparing CEQA documents when Environmental Health is the lead agency per CEQA
• Assisting in litigation projects and work with Management and County Counsel to provide technical expertise in legal hearings, as needed
• Attending various meetings and providing input on behalf of the LEA as directed by the Program Manager which may include the LEA Roundtable, OC Waste and Recycling coordination meetings, Waste Commission meetings, meetings with CalRecycle, and other governmental agencies (such as Regional Water Quality Control Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Cities, etc.), and public outreach meetings
• Learning to utilize drones for site flyovers and photogrammetry
• Preparing and hosting public meetings related to solid waste permitting which will require speaking to the public and providing information and formal presentations

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess two (2) or more years of civil engineering experience, either within civil engineering, related consulting, or solid waste regulation. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have specialized knowledge with the Public Resources Code, Sections 43200-43219, and the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Sections 18101-18355, which guide the enforcement of solid waste standards.

In addition, the most successful candidates will possess knowledge and experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Expertise | Knowledge

• Knowledge and experience in civil and environmental engineering, including landfill design, environmental control systems, local drainage design, flood control design, hydrology, geology, geotechnical, hydraulics, floodplain principles, and structural engineering
• Knowledge of design and as-built plans, and ability to review and provide technical comments for engineering plans
• Knowledge and experience with project management, written and verbal technical communications, cost control, and risk management
• Proficiency using a variety of computer software programs including, but not limited to, Microsoft Word Suite, CAD, and Blue Beam; ability to adapt and learn other databases as needed in the program

Oral Communication | Writing

• Effectively communicating orally and in writing in both formal and informal settings, using written language to convey both substance and intent with accuracy
• Communicating technical and complex information clearly and in an organized manner that is easy to understand

Building & Maintaining Relationships | Handling & Resolving Conflict

• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with peers, managers, consultants, and internal and external stakeholders
• Building consensus among diverse groups for the purpose of meeting business objectives, listening effectively, and sharing specialized knowledge with others
• Handling difficult and sensitive situations with tact and diplomacy
• Developing strategies (e.g. training, learning opportunities, key experiences) to fit individual, team, and organizational needs
• Creating a positive work environment and helping staff solve solid waste compliance issues

Problem Solving and Analytical Skills

• Identifying and solving problems, acting decisively, and showing good judgement
• Making decisions that reflect sound judgment and analysis after consulting with others in the group as needed
• Making timely decisions on engineering evaluations

LICENSE REQUIREMENT

Possession of a valid California Driver License (Class C or higher) is required by time of appointment.

Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Physical Requirements

Vision sufficient to read standard text, read a computer monitor and to drive; speak and hear well enough to communicate clearly and understandably in person, over the telephone and in small groups; independent body mobility to stand, sit, walk, stoop, and bend to access a standard office environment; manual dexterity to use hands, arms and shoulders repetitively to operate a keyboard, to write, and drive a vehicle. Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time.

Mental Requirements

Possess the ability to independently reason logically to analyze data, reach conclusions and make recommendations; possess the ability to remain calm and appropriately focused in rapidly changing and difficult situations involving conflict, complex issues, controversy and diverse stakeholder groups and interests; possess the ability to deal calmly and effectively with emotional interactions.

Environmental Conditions

Will be required to interact with clients/patients in emotional and occasionally hostile situations; work in the field or in an office environment and/or a secure facility; drive to community sites and to meetings; occasionally work evenings/weekends to attend meetings/special events.

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Employer

County of Orange

Address

400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
Santa Ana, California, 92701

Phone

714-834-2555

Website

https://hrs.oc.gov

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Janeth Boudreaux at 714 834-2217 or [e-mail].