Engineering Technician

City-of-La-Palma,-C; La Palma (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of La Palma is seeking an Engineering Technician to support public works and infrastructure projects. The role covers planning, design, construction, and administration of projects such as streets, water, and traffic systems.

Ideal candidates will review designs, inspect worksites, prepare reports, and communicate with contractors, consultants, and the public. Two years of civil engineering study or three years of related experience are typical qualifications.

Qualifications

• Two years of college level courses in civil engineering or three years of related civil engineering experience.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, engineering, urban planning, or a related field is desired.

Responsibilities

• Plans and coordinates activities of designated projects from initiation to completion to ensure timelines, goals, and objectives are met.
• Prepares Requests for Proposal and bid packages to solicit bids from consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Analyzes and evaluates bids and recommends consultants for selection.
• Prepares staff reports related to assigned projects.
• Manages funding for all assigned projects and solicits funding from federal, state, and county governments.
• Reviews maps, drawings, and calculations for accuracy and compliance.
• Provides public counter assistance interpreting code, permits, and regulations.
• Assists in preparing specifications and cost estimates for projects.
• Liaises with contractors and government agencies on funded projects.
• Performs field check inspections and traffic data collection when needed.
• Prepares CAD drawings and technical reports for agencies and maintenance work orders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Engineering principles

Public works knowledge

Plan review

Inspections

Report writing

Communication skills

Education

Associate degree in civil engineering or related field

Bachelor's degree in engineering, public administration, urban planning, or related field

Tools

CAD

MS Office

Job description

This recruitment is open on a continuous basis and may close at any time, with or without notice. The first review of applications will be Monday, October 19, 2026. The incumbent will enjoy working a 4/10 work schedule (Monday through Thursday), 7:30 am - 6:30 pm, with every Friday off! This position will receive a 4% cost of living adjustment effective July 1, 2027.

The City of La Palma is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented professional to join our team as an Engineering Technician. This position offers an opportunity to work on a variety of public works and infrastructure projects that directly serve the La Palma community.

The Engineering Technician performs a broad range of paraprofessional engineering duties and assists with the planning, design, construction, and administration of City infrastructure projects, including streets, water, storm drain, sewer, traffic systems, and public areas.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is organized, resourceful, and able to manage multiple assignments while exercising sound judgment and initiative. The City is looking for someone with knowledge of engineering principles and practices as applied to public works and the ability to review project designs, interpret plans and specifications, conduct inspections, prepare clear reports and records, and effectively communicate with coworkers, consultants, contractors, public agencies, and the community.

Essential duties include, but are not limited to:

• Plans and coordinates activities of designated projects from initiation to completion to ensure that timelines, goals, and objectives specified for projects are accomplished in accordance with prescribed priorities, time limitations, and funding conditions.
• Prepares Requests for Proposal and bid packages to solicit bids from consultants, contractors, and vendors, including scope of services.
• Analyzes and evaluates bids and recommends consultants for selection.
• Prepares staff reports related to assigned projects.
• Manages funding for all assigned projects and solicits funding from federal, state, and county governments for new projects.
• Reviews a variety of maps, drawings, tracings, notes, and engineering computations and checks for accuracy and format; may review for conformance to established engineering practices, and compliance with state and county laws, ordinances, and regulations.
• Provides public counter assistance interpreting and explaining code, permit, and statute requirements, engineering specifications, and other related municipal, state and federal regulations to construction contractors, architects, engineers, builders, public agencies, utility companies, property owners, and the general public; may prepare and issue various Public Works permits; may provide information regarding specific locations within the City such as easements, public right-of-way, property jurisdiction, and utility information.
• Assists in the preparation of specifications related to the construction and maintenance of a variety of projects in accordance with City, state, and federal guidelines; assists in the preparation of project cost estimates, quantities calculations, and materials costs.
• Provides liaison to contractor representatives in coordinating capital improvement projects; monitors project construction activity; prepares change orders as necessary to recommend alteration of plans and specifications; lays out and calculates quantities and cost estimates for capital improvement projects.
• Provides liaison function with other governmental agencies in assisting with the development, planning, design, construction, and administration of cooperatively funded projects and programs.
• Makes field check inspections of project sites to become familiar with features and to verify progress; collects, tabulates and analyzes traffic information; may conduct traffic studies that may include observing traffic patterns, taking traffic counts, and turning movements.
• Prepares exhibits, drawings, and maps using CAD and other computer applications for reports, presentations, and maintenance work orders. assists in processing related notices, reports and public hearing documents; and assists in project administration.
• Prepares a variety of technical engineering reports for other governmental agencies and/or programs and including but not limited to: Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program, National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSO), and Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Engineering principles and practices as applied to public works; related federal and state laws, ordinances, and regulations; methods and techniques utilized in the preparation of public works projects, designs, and related plans, specifications, and cost estimates; the principles, methods, and equipment utilized in surveying and materials testing.

Ability to: Perform para-professional engineering work, including project design review, conduct inspections and evaluate construction relative to approved plans and specifications; coordinate the work of others involved in related activities; prepare and maintain records and prepare reports; interpret and apply related laws, ordinances, and regulations; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with management, co-workers, the public and others contacted in the course of the work; work effectively with other governmental agencies in the processing of cooperatively funded projects.

Education and/or Experience

Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Two years of college level courses in civil engineering or a related field or three years of related civil engineering experience. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, engineering, urban planning, or a related field is desired.

Physical Demands

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is required to talk, to hear at a normal conversational level and smell. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate drafting instruments, computers, and various pieces of office equipment. The employee infrequently lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

Work is performed mostly in an office setting with some outdoor work required for the inspection of various land use developments, construction sites, or public works facilities. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Note

All employees of the City of La Palma are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health, and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours, and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.