Engineering Technician

Padre Dam Municipal Water District; Santee (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is looking for a skilled Engineering Technician to join its Development Services department. In this engaging role, you will be responsible for drafting and design activities, performing plan checks, and managing project budgets for various public and private development projects. You will collaborate with diverse stakeholders, ensuring projects meet regulatory standards while providing technical support to fellow team members. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to essential infrastructure projects that enhance community resources. If you have a passion for engineering and a desire to make a difference, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 2 years experience in civil engineering drafting and design at paraprofessional level.
• Knowledge of basic engineering theories and principles required.

Responsibilities

• Perform plan checks and design layouts for water and sewer projects.
• Manage project budgets and schedules to ensure timely completion.
• Prepare project estimates and maintain planning data.

Skills

Computer Aided Design

Project Management

Mathematical Calculations

Communication Skills

Drafting Standards

Interpreting Maps

Estimating Project Costs

Education

High School Diploma or G.E.D.

Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Business, or Public Administration

Tools

CAD Software

Word Processing Software

Spreadsheet Software

Job description

Padre Dam Municipal Water District is seeking an Engineering Technician for its Development Services department.

Incumbents are responsible for providing skilled design, drafting and plan check activities for Padre Dam, public and private development, and capital projects. Duties include: performing plan checks on improvement projects; laying out and designing water, sewer, and recycled water pipelines, pump stations and water reservoirs; performing field review of proposed projects; preparing project estimates; managing project budgets; assigning work order requests to other departments; meeting with customers, developers and engineers regarding the design of their project; and researching and maintaining planning data.

Essential Duties

1. Performs Computer Aided Design Drafting utilizing industry standards and/or professional level design layout.
2. Coordinates project work with inspection staff, other areas of Padre Dam and other public agencies; obtains capital project permits from appropriate agencies; reviews and makes recommendations on change orders; maintains project related files, reports and records.
3. Performs reviews and plan checks of projects in order to verify accuracy, completeness and conformance to specifications and standards of Padre Dam, Dept. of Health Services and Regional Water Quality Control Board.
4. Performs reviews, plan checks, and manages consultants of project landscape irrigation plans and field construction for conformance with Padre Dam and Health Department Standards.
5. Meets with inspection group, customers, developers, engineers, city, county and regulatory agency representatives regarding the design and coordination of projects/phases. Acts as the liaison between the District and other governmental agencies.
6. Prepares project estimates by determining materials needed and applying existing unit costs and determining the overall cost of the project.
7. Manages projects in order to ensure they are on schedule and within the budget.
8. Prepares Padre Dam standard specifications and project specifications and design guidelines utilizing manufacturers’ data and recommendations and industry standards.
9. Performs field review of proposed projects ensuring the site conforms to the plans drawn.
10. Researches and maintains planning data to include demographics, land use, and sewer and water systems analysis, foreign utilities, record maps and cost estimates.
11. Prepares and reviews easement documents, quitclaims, and encroachments to Padre Dam easements for conformance to Padre Dam standards.
12. Prepares project management activities for completion of Padre Dam projects including correspondence, completion of Right-of-Way and Environmental permitting, participation in meetings, review submittal and field assistance during construction.
13. Coordinates directly with the public, contractors, engineers, developers and other agencies concerning rules and regulations, rates and fees, policies, design and construction standards, and standard operating procedures.
14. Compiles data and assists in the preparation of reports. This may include conducting computer modeling, analyzing hydraulic results and providing recommendations for Padre Dam and developer projects.
15. Using basic engineering design concepts, prepares preliminary design and complete engineering construction drawings under the direction of an Engineer, including plans, profiles, elevations, contours, cross-sections and detailed working drawings, maps and specifications for water and sewer facilities; performs calculations; transforms field and survey data into design elements; prepares engineering calculations and cost estimates for assigned projects.
16. Represents Padre Dam on external committees such as the Regional Standards Committee, Water Agencies’ Standards and the Water Agency Design Guidelines.
17. Provides leadership, mentoring and technical support for the completion of engineering related work for other Engineering Technicians and engineering aids.
18. Presents status of projects to internal and external project development teams, including the Board of Directors.
19. Manages projects or project activities and assists Engineer in completing Padre Dam projects. Manages the work of engineering consultants for plan checking, inspection, and testing of recycled water facilities; as needed.

Qualifications

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

1. Basic engineering theories and principles;
2. Applicable laws and regulations;
3. Drafting standards and practices for water and sewer;
4. Computer Aided Drafting, word processing and spreadsheets;
5. Mathematics including geometry and trigonometry;
6. Survey principles;
7. Construction methods and materials;
8. Safety procedures.

Skills/Abilities:

1. Checking and reviewing plans and specifications;
2. Reading and interpreting maps, legal descriptions, and construction drawings;
3. Estimating project costs;
4. Performing complex mathematical calculations;
5. Drafting drawings with the computer and by hand;
6. Tracking and recording documents;
7. Using computers and related specialized computer applications such as Computer Aided Drafting, word processing and spreadsheets;
8. Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Training/Experience Required:

1. High school Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) and two years experience in civil engineering drafting and design at paraprofessional level using computer aided design and other drafting software; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above. Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Business, or Public Administration.

Licensing Requirements:

1. Valid California Driver’s License

If selected to move on to the next step, successful candidates will be invited to interview at the beginning of June 2025.