CIVIL ENGINEER IV

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Chicago seeks a Civil Engineer IV to lead senior-level engineering tasks across municipal infrastructure projects. You will conduct field surveys, prepare designs, cost estimates, and maintain project quality from planning through construction.

The role involves reviewing plans, coordinating with contractors and departments, and ensuring compliance with budgets and schedules. Strong collaboration and technical proficiency are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field required.
• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering with 1 year of experience acceptable alternative.

Responsibilities

• Conducts field surveys to collect data for planned improvements and to identify conditions that may impact construction.
• Prepares and reviews engineering designs, drawings, calculations, specifications and cost estimates for infrastructure projects.
• Drafts preliminary specifications and estimates for labor, materials and equipment costs for projects such as runways, streets, water, sewer and related systems.
• Serves as resident engineer on large projects, monitoring construction methods and ensuring work meets contract specs.
• Prepares reports on status and costs of projects; reviews payment vouchers ensuring the work aligns with contract.
• Reviews design plans and contract documents for compliance with design criteria and budget.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree or higher in Civil Engineering

Job description

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Job Description - CIVIL ENGINEER IV (417022)

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Note: The candidate(s) selected for hire must pass an airport background check and a Security Threat Assessment(STA).

This position is open to the public and all current city employees covered under the City’s Collective Bargaining Agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) – BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4 & 5. Only employees in City job titles in this bargaining unit are eligible to bid.

1. Check the box on your profile titled “Currently employed by the City of Chicago”

2. Enter your employee ID (located on your pay stub labeled ‘payee/employee number’)

3. Select your correct bargaining unit

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN A REJECTED BID APPLICATION.

Under general supervision, the class performs senior level professional civil engineering duties, working independently on tasks related to the construction, maintenance and design of moderate to complex infrastructure and building projects; and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Conducts field surveys to collect data for planned improvements and to identify conditions that may impact the scope of proposed construction, repair and maintenance projects and recommends modifications as needed
• Prepares and reviews engineering designs, drawings, calculations, specifications and cost estimates for infrastructure and building construction, maintenance, and repair projects
• Drafts preliminary specifications and estimates for labor, material and equipment costs for projects such as runways, streets, water, sewer, airport and related systems and facilities
• Serves as resident engineer at the site of large maintenance and construction projects, monitoring construction methods and work in progress, inspecting materials and ensuring work is completed according to contract specifications and project time lines
• Prepares reports on the status and costs of engineering projects; reviews payment vouchers submitted by engineering and construction firms ensuring payment requests reflect completed work according to contract specifications
• Reviews design plans, contract documents, cost estimates and engineering calculations for construction or rehabilitation projects prepared by consultants to ensure compliance with established design criteria, project scope and budget specifications, and recommends changes as needed
• Monitors work in progress and determines the appropriateness of engineering changes, contract amendments and related costs submitted by contractors and recommends approval or modification.
• May review permit applications submitted by developers for activities affecting foundations, waterways, traffic and City landmarks
• May prepare grant applications to secure project funding
• May consult with other departments and agencies to coordinate personnel engaged in project engineering activities
• May assist in training and providing guidance to lower-level staff
• May provide technical information on engineering projects at hearings and legal proceedings
• May research new materials, techniques and software for use in engineering projects.

Additional duties may be required for this position

THIS POSITION IS CAREER SERVICE.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a directly related field of engineering, plus two (2) years of Civil Engineering experience
• Should the above criteria not be fulfilled, the following options are acceptable: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree or higher in Civil Engineering or a directly related field of engineering, plus one (1) year of Civil Engineering experience
• Valid State of Illinois driver’s license
• You must provide your transcripts or diploma at time of processing, if applicable.
• You must provide your valid US driver’s license at the time of processing, if applicable.

This position requires an applicant to successfully complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected in seniority order according to the collective bargaining agreement.

Note: The candidate(s) selected for hire must pass an airport background check and a Security Threat Assessment(STA).

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resource staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates. To learn more about our hiring practices

FOR INFORMATION ON OUR EMPLOYEES BENEFITS

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

FOR INFORMATION ON OUR SALARY AND TITLE STRUCTURE

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/supp_info/JobClassification/2025_Classification_and_Pay_Plan.pdf

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicagois an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Job Posting

Aug 3, 2026, 5:00:00 AM | Closing Date (Period for Applying) - External : Aug 18, 2026, 4:59:00 AM