Engineering Technician

City of San Pablo (CA); California (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four-day work week (Fridays off)

CalPERS pension

Medical/dental/vision coverage

Job summary

The City of San Pablo is seeking a detail-oriented Engineering Technician to support the Engineering Division in Public Works. Responsibilities include drafting, surveying, permit review, and construction inspection for capital projects.

Two years of technical engineering experience and an Associate's degree equivalent are required, with CAD/GIS skills and the ability to coordinate with multiple departments and external agencies.

Qualifications

• Two years of technical engineering experience in field construction inspection, surveying, permit processing, plan review, or CAD/GIS drafting.
• Equivalent to an Associate's degree with coursework in engineering, construction, math, drafting, CAD, GPS, GIS, or related field.
• Ability to work under supervision and coordinate with multiple stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Prepare correspondence, technical reports, and engineering estimates; maintain files; coordinate with staff, departments, contractors, and outside agencies.
• Conduct field inspections of capital projects and monitor compliance with plans, permits, and safety regs.
• Perform surveying, staking, topographic surveys; verify grades and layouts against design plans.
• Prepare daily inspection reports, field notes, and cost estimates; assist with traffic and striping considerations.
• Review permit applications for completeness and conformity; assist in preliminary plan reviews.
• Provide technical assistance to developers, contractors, and the public; share information at counter, by phone, and by email.
• Draft maps and drawings in AutoCAD/Civil 3D and maintain GIS databases.

Skills

Drafting

Surveying

Mapping

Plan review

Communication

Education

Associate's degree in engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD/Civil 3D

GIS

GPS

CAD/GIS drafting support

Job description

Filing Deadline: Thursday, September 3 at 11:59 p.m. or first 100 applications (whichever occurs first)

Applications MUST be submitted online at www.GovernmentJobs.com

The City of San Pablo is seeking a detail-oriented Engineering Technician to join the Engineering Division within the Public Works Department. Under general supervision, the Engineering Technician performs a variety of technical office and field work involving drafting, surveying, mapping, permit and plan review, construction inspection, and related engineering activities in support of the City’s public works and capital improvement projects.

About San Pablo

Located in the heart of West Contra Costa County along the I-80 corridor, San Pablo is a vibrant, culturally diverse community of approximately 32,000 residents. The City is conveniently situated between Richmond and Pinole, with easy access to BART, AC Transit, and major Bay Area employment centers. San Pablo offers an affordable cost of living relative to the greater Bay Area, a welcoming small-city atmosphere, and a strong commitment to public service and community investment. The City recently completed a modern City Hall facility and continues to invest in technology, infrastructure, and innovation to enhance the delivery of public services.

In addition to a competitive salary and outstanding benefits—including a four-day work week with Fridays off, CalPERS pension, and comprehensive medical/dental/vision coverage, the Engineering Technician works within the Engineering Division of the Public Works Department, performing technical support under the general supervision of higher-level engineering and management staff and coordinating with other City departments, contractors, and outside agencies.

The successful candidate will be a detail-oriented technical professional with solid drafting, surveying, mapping, plan-review, and/or construction-inspection skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to support multiple public works and capital improvement projects at once.

About the position

The Engineering Technician performs technical office and field work in support of the City’s engineering programs. Positions are typically assigned to one of three focus areas based on operational need—Field, Office, or Engineering Systems—and may perform duties across more than one area. Depending on assignment, the position is responsible for:

• Preparing correspondence, technical reports, and engineering estimates; maintaining engineering files and records; and coordinating with staff, other City departments, contractors, and outside agencies.
• Field: Conducting field inspections of capital improvement, utility, drainage, street, sidewalk, and traffic projects, and monitoring job-site compliance with approved plans, permits, and safety regulations.
• Field: Performing surveying, construction staking, topographic surveys, and GPS data collection; reducing field notes; and verifying grades, alignments, elevations, and layouts against approved design plans.
• Field: Preparing daily inspection reports, field notes, quantity calculations, and cost estimates; conducting traffic and parking surveys; and assisting with striping, signage, and traffic-control recommendations.
• Office: Reviewing grading, encroachment, utility, and right-of-way permit applications for completeness and conformance with City standards, and preparing, issuing, tracking, and filing permits.
• Office: Performing preliminary plan review for subdivision, grading, and improvement plans, and coordinating review comments among engineering staff, other departments, and applicants.
• Office: Providing technical assistance to developers, contractors, consultants, and the public at the counter, by phone, and by email, including parcel, easement, zoning, and right-of-way information.
• Engineering Systems: Preparing, updating, and revising engineering maps and drawings, and drafting plans, profiles, cross-sections, and right-of-way maps using AutoCAD/Civil 3D.
• Engineering Systems: Maintaining and updating GIS databases for streets, utilities, parcels, and infrastructure assets; processing survey and GPS data; and supporting asset and pavement management (StreetSaver) records.
• Performing related duties as assigned.

For additional information about the position, see the Job Description page of the City’s website.

Experience and Training

Experience:

Two (2) years of technical engineering experience in one or more of the following areas: field construction inspection and surveying; permit processing and plan review; or CAD/GIS drafting and engineering systems support.

Training:

Equivalent to an Associate's degree from an accredited college with course work in engineering, construction, mathematics, drafting, CAD, GPS, GIS, database management, or a related field. Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

License/Certificate:

• Possession, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.
• Possession, or ability to obtain within one year, a valid QSP (Qualified SWPPP Practitioner) certificate.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Terminology, methods, practices, and techniques used in sub-professional engineering work, including drafting, surveying, and mapping; principles of algebra, geometry, and trigonometry; equipment and instruments used in drafting, surveying, and mapping; policies and regulations related to construction, extension, and maintenance of public works and utility systems; traffic-control principles, including California MUTCD standards and work-zone safety; municipal codes, local ordinances, and permit administration workflows; GIS, CAD, GPS, and related software, mapping standards, and coordinate systems; and relational databases, spatial data structures, and engineering asset management systems.

ABILITY TO:

Independently perform sub-professional engineering duties; read, interpret, and apply plans, specifications, field notes, and technical and numerical information; use CAD, GIS, and GPS applications related to technical engineering work; perform engineering and mathematical calculations with speed and accuracy; compile and analyze technical information and recommend alternatives; analyze plans and permits for compliance with standards and regulations; assess vendor and contractor services and costs; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Benefits

The City provides an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, paid vacation and holidays, life & disability insurance as well as CalPERS retirement pension. Please see the Benefits page of the City’s website for details.

Recruitment timeline

Recruitment Opens: Monday, August 17, 2026
Recruitment Closes: Thursday, September 3, 2026
First Round/Written Exam: Week of September 14
Second Round Interviews: Week of September 28
Estimated Start Date: November 2026

Background investigation and Pre-employment medical examination

Successful candidates will undergo a complete background investigation, including fingerprinting. Successful candidates may also undergo a pre-employment medical examination, which may include TB testing and/or drug screening.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Please contact the Human Resources Department on, or before, the filing deadline if special accommodations are necessary at any stage of the selection process. Every attempt will be made to consider your request. Medical documentation must be provided upon request.

Immigration Reform & Control Act

In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all potential employees will be required to provide proof of United States citizenship or authorization to work in the United States.

Drug-Free Workplace Policy

In accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, it is the objective of the City of San Pablo to achieve a drug-free workplace.

THE CITY OF SAN PABLO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

MINORITIES/WOMEN/INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. QUALIFIED APPLICANTS RECEIVE EQUAL CONSIDERATION, WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, SEX, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, AGE, MARITAL STATUS, OR DISABILITY EXCEPT WHERE DICTATED BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB.

The information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract of employment and these provisions are subject to change.