Junior Engineer - Civil (Student)

City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

City of San Diego is seeking a Junior Engineer - Civil (Student) to gain hands-on engineering experience while pursuing a Bachelor's or higher degree. The role involves work in streets, water, sewer, drainage, and facility improvements design, plus materials testing, construction inspection, and plan checking.

Applicants must be enrolled in a civil/structural degree program with options for EIT certification or professional registration.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Civil/Structural or related engineering degree program.
• Junior, Senior, or post-graduate standing.
• EIT certificate issued from a state licensing board.
• Registration as a Professional Civil, Structural, or Traffic Engineer with a state licensing board.

Responsibilities

• Assist on projects in streets, water, sewer, drainage and facility improvements design.
• Perform materials testing, construction inspection, and plan checking as assigned.
• Support transportation planning, traffic engineering tasks, and other duties as needed.

Education

Current enrollment in Civil/Structural or related engineering degree program

Junior, Senior, or post-graduate standing

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certificate

Professional Civil/Structural/Traffic Engineer registration

Job description

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY TO THE FOLLOWING RELATED RECRUITMENT(S):

• Student Engineer

Junior Engineer - Civil (Student) positions are assigned increasingly responsible duties in the following areas: Street, water, sewer, drainage and facility improvements design; materials testing; construction inspection; plan checking; transportation planning; traffic engineering; and perform other duties as assigned.

• Employees in job classifications represented by Municipal Employees Association (MEA) are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• The intent of the Junior Engineer - Civil (Student) classification is to encourage individuals to obtain hands‑on work experience in a professional engineering work environment, while pursuing a Bachelor's Degree or a post-graduate degree in engineering.
• Junior Engineer - Civil (Student) employees work on a part‑time basis determined by the needs of the department and the demands of the student's college schedule. Students may also work full‑time during the summer and/or school vacations.
• As a condition of employment, Junior Engineer - Civil (Student) employees MUST maintain acceptable performance levels, both scholastically and on‑the‑job.

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

EDUCATION

Current and continuing college enrollment in a Civil, Structural, or a closely related engineering degree program AND one of the following options:

1. Junior, Senior, or post‑graduate standing.
2. Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) Certificate issued from a state licensing board.
3. Registration as a Professional Civil, Structural, or Traffic Engineer with a state licensing board.

NOTES:

• Experience may NOT be used to substitute for lack of the required education.
• Continued employment is contingent upon continued progressive college enrollment in classes leading toward a Bachelor's or Post-graduate Degree in Civil, Structural, or a closely related engineering degree program.
• Computer Engineering is NOT considered a closely related engineering degree program.

LICENSE

A valid California Class C Driver License may be required at the time of hire.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION)

• Proof of current enrollment/transcripts, certification, or registration.

Successful candidates will be placed on a list which will be used to fill position vacancies during the next six months (180 days). For each vacancy, only those candidates with the most appropriate qualifications will be contacted by the hiring department for an interview.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening processes, including a polygraph examination and/or background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change in their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number, otherwise they may miss employment opportunities.

Rev. 1 - August 21, 2026 (New Recruitment Date)