Associate Engineer (Design Option)

Associate Engineer (Design Option)

Salary

$9,869.28 - $11,996.16 Monthly

Location

Chula Vista, CA

Job Type

Permanent, Full-Time

Job Number

26601710

Department

Engineering - Capital Projects

Division

Infrastructure Projects

Opening Date

10/21/2026

Closing Date

11/2/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description and Essential Functions

To perform professional complex engineering work on various projects, capable of acting at a more independent level and may be assigned specific project or programs to complete; coordinate the work of other professional and technical staff as needed; and to perform other duties as assigned. This is the full journey level class in the Engineer series and it is distinguished from the Assistant Engineer level by the ability to perform the full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unusual or unique situations arise. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Assistant Engineer level, or when filled from the outside, have prior experience.

Current vacancy is within the Design section of the Engineering & Capital Projects Department. The Design section is responsible for the design and delivery of the City's Capital Improvement Projects, including preparation and review of engineering plans, specifications, and cost estimates, as well as coordinating project bidding and contract awards.

This recruitment may be used to fill various vacancies in the Engineering & Capital Projects Department.

Note: This position is scheduled to receive a 5% salary adjustment the first full pay period of January 2027.

Essential Functions:

Functions may include, but are not limited to, the following: perform complex engineering designs for the preparation of preliminary and final engineering plans, specifications and cost estimates for the construction and/or improvement of storm drains, streets, sanitary sewers and related structures; perform engineering calculations for hydrology and hydraulic structures, land surveys and highway and street alignments; prepare and supervise the preparation of legal descriptions and grant deeds for easements and street rights-of-way; participate in right-of-way negotiations and acquisitions; investigate and check tentative and final subdivision maps for accuracy, design, completeness and conformance to the local sub-division ordinance and the State of Subdivision Map Act; design and coordinate the construction of improvement projects; review improvement and grading plans for composition and accuracy; provide written and oral information to the public, contractors, developers and other engineers on related issues; attend meetings and make presentations to various committees, commissions, professional and community groups; write Council agenda statements, reports and correspondence as required; conduct studies related to planning public works facilities; may assist in providing training to staff; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; and perform related duties as assigned. When assigned to Traffic Engineering: Maintain the citys traffic signal computer system; repair and maintain complex electronic traffic control equipment; troubleshoots communication lines between microprocessors in the field and microcomputer in the office; review and analyze traffic characteristics in the system; prepare timing plan and strategies; study traffic flow at intersections and calculate plan at the system control level; respond to emergency traffic situations studies when requested; repair printed circuit boards and replace components on the traffic signal equipment; monitor the computer system and upload or download control parameters when necessary; maintain the computer database of traffic signal timing parameters; evaluate system effectiveness according to the results of the Moving Vehicle Survey conducted under the Citys Traffic Monitoring Program; perform troubleshooting and testing on traffic signal safety monitor modules to assure they meet City specifications; assist Traffic Devices Technicians on the pre-installation tests of equipment for new traffic signal installations; prepare signal timing documentation sheets of traffic signals as archive to central computers database; provide training to Traffic Signal and Lighting Technicians in traffic signal timing and control equipment test/ repair; prepare training course material; recommend appropriate hardware modules and test devices for intersection controllers; may assist in providing training to staff; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; and perform related duties as assigned. When assigned to Inspection Services and Building Construction: Manage routine public works construction projects, including overseeing and implementing the requirements in the plans and specifications, and coordinating and communicating with City departments, residents, and other constituencies; provide engineering support for construction work in progress, including conducting site investigations, to ensure compliance with approved plans, specifications, and material standards; review construction submittals for compliance with plans and specifications; respond to requests for information from contractors; prepare construction contract change orders; prepare estimates for payments to contractors and consultants; review land development plans and grading plans to ensure completeness and compliance with City standards; prepare engineering correspondence, interoffice memos, written reports, cost estimates, construction contract documents, and requests for proposals for building and construction projects; supervise and direct consultant work; manage project budgets; build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other City employees and the public using principles of good customer service; and perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and/or experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Two years of civil engineering experience and training equivalent to a bachelors degree from an accredited college with major course work in civil engineering or a related field; or possession of Engineer-in-Training Certificate in the State of California.

Note: All Assistant Engineers, Associate Engineers, Assistant and Associate Land Surveyors, or Plan Check Engineers who become registered by the State of California as a Professional Civil Engineer, Professional Traffic Engineer, Land Surveyor or Licensed Architect when registration is not a requirement of the position held, shall receive five percent (5%) additional compensation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Knowledge of: basic principles, practices and facilities used in civil or structural engineering, soil engineering, municipal engineering, design, construction and maintenance and topographical construction surveying; state laws and local ordinances relating to engineering projects; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; computer equipment and software applications related to assignment. When assigned to Traffic Engineering: Traffic signal control strategies and optimization theory including fundamentals of traffic signal timing; electrical and electronic theory and practices, including analog and digital solid-state devices; maintenance practices for computerized traffic timing and control devices; safety precautions related to complex electrical and electro-mechanical equipment; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; computer equipment and software applications related to assignment.

Ability to: prepare plans and specifications; review estimates; collect, analyze and interpret data pertaining to engineering projects; read and interpret laws, ordinances and other related documents; read and interpret maps and blueprints; operate computer equipment and software applications related to assignment; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; follow oral and written instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner. When assigned to Traffic Engineering: Perform complex maintenance and adjustment of the citys traffic signal computer systems using electronic test and soldering equipment; plan, estimate, coordinate, and monitor computer system maintenance; operate and maintain equipment used in the traffic signal timing system; read and interpret instructions, technical manuals, schematics, plans, and specifications; make recommendations for optimization of traffic signal timing to meet the traffic flow; make use of the traffic signal optimization software such as SYNCHRO and LINKVIEW; make recommendations for traffic signal system selection and upgrade; troubleshoot computer signal timing systems; make necessary signal timing adjustments; read and interpret laws, ordinances and other related documents; read and interpret maps and blueprints; operate computer equipment and software applications related to assignment; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; follow oral and written instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

On an intermittent basis, sit at desk for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, twist and reach while retrieving and/or returning files; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and use a keyboard to communicate through written means; review information and enter/retrieve data; see and read characters on computer screen; and lift light weight. See in the normal vision range with or without correction; hear in the normal range with or without correction. Work is performed indoors in a carpeted and air-conditioned office environment with fluorescent lighting and moderate noise level. Some movement is required from office to office and there is exposure to the external environment when going to outlying offices, meeting, or performing field inspections. Work is frequently interrupted by the need to respond to in-person and telephone inquires.

Additional Information

Recruitment No. 26601710

To be considered, applicants must submit a City Application by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date listed. Candidates whose applications indicate education and experience most directly related to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process. All notices will be sent via e-mail.

Unless otherwise noted, a passing score must be achieved at each step of the selection process in order to have your name placed on the eligibility list for hiring consideration. The examination materials for this recruitment are validated, copyrighted and/or inappropriate for review. The eligibility list established as a result of this recruitment will be for a duration of six (6) months, unless otherwise extended.

WCE Benefit Summary: Click here.

01

The supplemental questionnaire is used to further evaluate your experience and education to determine your eligibility for this position. Please answer each question accurately and thoroughly. To be considered for this position, the experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History/Experience section of your Employment Application. Failure to complete the "Work History/Experience" section of the employment application will result in your application not being considered. Please do not refer your response to your resume. A resume will not be considered in determining your qualifications.

• I have read and acknowledge the instructions stated above.

02

Education

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed?

• Masters degree in Civil Engineering
• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering
• Coursework in Engineering and continuing education
• High School Diploma/GED
• None of the above; degree in other field

03

If you responded "None of the above; degree in other field" to Question 2, please indicate your highest degree completed and major field of study below.

04

Civil Engineering Experience

Which of the following best describes your experience in professional civil engineering?

• Eight or more years of civil engineering experience
• At least six years but less than eight years of civil engineering experience
• At least four years but less than six years of civil engineering experience
• At least two years but less than four years of civil engineering experience
• Less than two years of experience
• No experience

05

Please list ALL employment from the Work Experience section of your application where you had experience in civil engineering work. Treat each change in position or employer separately. Your response must include and FOLLOW the format below.

A. Name of employer;

B. Your job title;

C. Length of Experience (years/months);

D. Type of employment (indicate if full-time, part-time, volunteer, internship); and

E. Brief description of the major job duties you performed, if any, in each of the following areas (identify the area and major duties).

• General civil engineering
• Construction inspection
• Design
• Land development
• Environmental
• Transportation
• Wastewater

If you do not have experience, please indicate "No experience" below.

06

Which of the following best describes your experience performing Engineering tasks? (Mark all that apply)

• Reviewing or preparing design and construction plans
• Reviewing contractor bids
• Preparing estimates for payments to contractors and consultants
• Reviewing preliminary and final plans
• Performing engineering calculations and analysis
• Reviewing or preparing land development and grading plans
• Reviewing or preparing Master Plans for Municipal Agencies
• Reviewing or preparing plans related to traffic improvements
• Reviewing or preparing Engineering and Traffic Surveys
• Reviewing or preparing Water Quality Reports or related plans
• Reviewing or preparing Hydrology and/or Hydraulic Reports and Studies
• Reviewing or preparing plans related to storm drain and wastewater improvements
• Conducting engineering studies
• Construction Inspection/Field Inspections
• Other experience
• None of the above

07

If you responded "Other experience" to Question 6, please indicate other relevant experience you possess and would like to highlight below, otherwise please indicate "N/A".

08

Design Experience

Which of the following best describes your experience in the engineering design process?

• Eight or more years of experience
• At least six years but less than eight years of experience
• At least four years but less than six years of experience
• At least two years but less than four years of experience
• Less than two years of experience
• No experience

09

Please list ALL employment from the Work Experience section of your application where you had experience in the engineering design process. Treat each change in position or employer separately. Your response must include and FOLLOW the format below.

A. Name of employer;

B. Your job title;

C. Length of Experience (years/months);

D. Type of employment (indicate if full-time, part-time, volunteer, internship); and

E. Brief description of the major job duties you performed.

If you do not have experience, please indicate "No experience" below.

10

Indicate your experience with designing, detailing, and plan preparation for the following types of improvements. (Mark all that apply)

• New and retrofit curb ramps
• New and retrofit curb medians
• Pavement rehabilitation plans
• Preparation of signing, striping, and signal plans
• New and rehabilitation of municipal sanitary sewer pipes and manholes
• New and rehabilitation of municipal storm drain pipes and drainage structures (include any experience performing Hydrology Studies or Hydraulic Sizing)
• Storm water quality features including biofiltration basins and similar public right of green street elements
• None of the above

11

Please list ALL employment from the Work Experience section of your application where you had experience with designing, detailing, and plan preparation on the improvements indicated in the question above. Treat each change in position or employer separately. Your response must include and FOLLOW the format below.

A. Name of employer;

B. Your job title;

C. Length of Experience (years/months);

D. Type of employment (indicate if full-time, part-time, volunteer, internship); and

E. Brief description of the major job duties you performed.

If you do not have experience, please indicate "No experience" below.

12

Licenses/Certifications

Please select from any of the following licenses/certifications for which you possess a valid certificate of registration. (Mark all that apply and attach copies to your application)

• Engineer-in-Training Certificate in the State of California
• CA Professional Civil Engineer
• CA Professional Traffic Engineer
• Professional Civil Engineer (other State)
• Professional Traffic Operations Engineer (PTOE)
• Other relevant licenses/certifications
• None of the above

13

APPLICANTS ACKNOWLEDGMENT - NOTIFICATION VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL (E-MAIL) The City of Chula Vistas Human Resources Department uses electronic mail (e-mail) to notify applicants of important information relating to the status and processing of your application. We do so as part of our ongoing efforts to increase operational efficiency, promote the conservation of green resources, and minimize delays and costs. Therefore, as an applicant, you are hereby advised of the following: 1. Ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. Do not share email addresses. Spam or other filters should be adjusted to accept our emails. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails, i.e., for the non-delivery of email or if you fail to check your email-box on a timely basis, etc. 2. Read any notices we send carefully and in a timely manner. Follow further instructions, if any. We recommend that you print and keep a hard copy of our notices for your records.

• I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above.

Required Question

Employer City of Chula Vista

Address 276 Fourth Avenue

Chula Vista, California, 91910

Phone 619-691-5096

Website http://www.chulavistaca.gov