Associate Engineer / Engineer I AF

Associate Engineer / Engineer I AF

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

City Hall (3200 Civic Center Circle NE)

Job Type

Full Time AF

Job Number

2026-00034

Department

Public Works

Division

PW Engineering

Opening Date

03/10/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

Associate Engineer

The Associate Engineer classification is a two-part career progression model comprised of the following working titles: Associate Engineer and Senior Associate Engineer. This two-part model allows for appropriate placement upon hire into the position or automatic advancement to Senior Associate Engineer upon meeting required certification and experience benchmarks as detailed below. In both steps, the incumbent is responsible for aiding staff with managing and coordinating engineering design, inspection, review, and construction management of the City's infrastructure systems including planning, monitoring, and implementing to completion engineering design and, review, construction management, and, inspection of City infrastructure and capital improvement projects and oversees their completion.

Engineer I

The Engineer I classification is a two -part career progression model comprised of the following working titles: Engineer I and Engineer II. This two-part model allows for appropriate placement upon hire into the position or automatic advancement to Engineer II upon meeting required experience benchmarks as detailed below. For existing incumbents that obtain the required qualifications for advancement into the Engineer II, he/she must also have an overall performance rating of at least "meets expectations" on their last evaluation.

In both steps, the incumbent plans, monitors, budgets, implements, coordinates, inspects, oversees and/or manages City infrastructure and capital improvement projects for design and construction (i.e., water, sewer, drainage or transportation systems).

Education, Training, Experience, Certifications, Licenses and Registrations

Associate Engineer

Education / higher education: Bachelors Degree from an accredited college

For required college degrees, applicable field(s) of study: Civil engineering, Engineering Technology - Civil, or related discipline

Minimum number of years of directly related experience: None.

Education and/or experience preferences: Six months internship or work experience.

Senior Associate Engineer

Education / higher education: Bachelors Degree from an accredited college

For required college degrees, applicable field(s) of study: Civil engineering, Engineering Technology - Civil, or related discipline

Minimum number of years of directly related experience: One (1) year of experience in engineering or construction management.

Education and/or experience preferences: Two years' internship or work experience.

Driver's License requirement: Infrequent Driver -- Regular Drivers License Required Endorsements: None

Note -- For any driver, driving record must always meet City driving and insurability standards.

Associate Engineer

Required certifications, licenses or registrations: None

Senior Associate Engineer

Required certifications, licenses or registrations: Engineering in Training (EIT) certification

Engineer I

Education / higher education: Bachelors Degree

For required college degrees, applicable field(s) of study: Civil engineering, Engineering Technology - Civil, or related discipline

Minimum number of years of directly related experience: Three years' work experience in engineering or a directly related field of engineering. Any combination of post-graduate education from an accredited college or university in an engineering related field may substitute for up to two years of work experience.

Education and/or experience preferences: Depending on the Department to which the position is assigned, experience might be preferred in transportation, water and wastewater, roadway, structural or drainage engineering.

Engineer II

Education / higher education: Bachelors Degree

For required college degrees, applicable field(s) of study: Civil engineering, Engineering Technology - Civil, or related discipline

Minimum number of years of directly related experience: Five (5) years' work experience in engineering or a directly related field of engineering. Any combination of post-graduate education from an accredited college or university in an engineering related field may substitute for up to two (2) years of work experience.

Education and/or experience preferences: Depending on the Department to which the position is assigned, experience might be preferred in transportation, water and wastewater, roadway, structural or drainage engineering.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Associate Engineer

Knowledge: Specific knowledge and skills in municipal engineering, transportation and utilities construction, surveying, engineering/construction specifications, standards, methods and procedures.

Skills: Must be able to type rapidly and accurately enough to successfully produce documents/spreadsheets, communicate via e-mail, or perform data entry as necessary to accomplish the essential functions of the position. Use of technology, equipment and software typically used in the office environment. Reading and interpreting engineering plans, City codes and related ordinances, and developing reports and budgets. Operating a personal computer for word processing, spreadsheets, databases and engineering and computer mapping and modeling software. Reviewing engineering drawings and specifications.

Abilities: Read, analyze, and interpret technical reports, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Develop and monitor budgets. Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Clearly write professional reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, customers, and the general public. Work with mathematical concepts to analyze problems, interpret data and apply to practical situations found in the workplace.

Interaction with Groups/Agencies/Entities: Internal: Works with engineering staff, inspectors, and operations managers on complex engineering and special project including transportation, drainage, water, wastewater and development projects. Works with City Attorney, Finance Department, and other department staff. Maintains harmonious, courteous, and understanding relationships, while fostering a collaborative teamwork environment. External: Works with contractors, developers, government agencies, consultants, and the general public on planning and implementing City infrastructure projects and resolves complaints and issues. Presents a friendly, courteous image for the City to the general public, customers, and public officials.

Engineer I

Knowledge: Specific knowledge and skills in municipal engineering, transportation drainage, and utilities construction, surveying, engineering/construction specifications, standards methods and procedures. General knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing environmental permitting. Knowledge and skills in reading and interpreting engineering plans, City codes and related ordinances, and developing reports and budgets.

Skills: Must be able to type rapidly and accurately enough to successfully produce documents/spreadsheets, communicate via e-mail, or perform data entry as necessary to accomplish the essential functions of the position. Use of technology, equipment and software typically used in the office environment. Operate a personal computer for word processing, spreadsheet, database, and engineering and computer mapping and modeling software.

Abilities: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical reports, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, customers, and the general public. Ability to work with mathematical concepts to analyze problems, interpret data and apply to practical situations found in the workplace.

Interaction with Groups/Agencies/Entities: Internal: Works with engineering staff, inspectors and operations managers on complex engineering and special projects including transportation, drainage, water, wastewater and development projects. Works with City Attorney, Finance Department, and other department staff. Maintains harmonious, courteous, and understanding relationships, while fostering a collaborative teamwork environment. External: Works with contractors, government agencies, consultants, public and private utility owners, and the general public on planning and implementing City infrastructure projects and resolves complaints and issues. Presents a friendly, courteous image for the City to the general public, customers, and public officials.

Essential Functions

The following functions are typical for this position. The omission of specific functions does not exclude them if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this position. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Associate Engineer

Public Works-Engineering Division or Utilities Department:

• Provides research, calculations, design and development of construction plans and specifications for City water, sewer, transportation, drainage, or other infrastructure projects.
• Conducts studies and evaluates needs for water, sewer, transportation, drainage, or other infrastructure improvements. Participates in planning these infrastructure improvement projects.
• Coordinates planning and provides research for the design and development of construction plans and specifications for infrastructure projects; estimates construction costs and prepares budgets for future projects and studies.
• Evaluates infrastructure needs and makes recommendations for construction, rehabilitation or maintenance projects.
• Reviews engineering plans and specifications to ensure compliance with City or State and Federal standards as required as well as reviews the accuracy of cost estimates and other bid document items.
• Sets project schedules based on assessment of project design, budget, and other user requests.
• Conducts preconstruction meetings to establish project protocols and compliance with applicable construction standards, and coordinates City staff, design, and inspection teams.
• Reviews and oversees progress and quality of construction; interprets design intent, facilitates solutions, and negotiates change order settlements.
• Maintains and tracks project budget, recommends revisions, and monitors contract amendments.
• Coordinates with contractor and other government entities to ensure contractors and projects have proper permits and licenses.
• Represents the City at meetings with government agencies, consulting engineers, developers, contractors and the general public.

Development Services-Engineering Division:

• Provides research, calculations, design and development of construction plans and specifications for City water, sewer, transportation, drainage, or other infrastructure projects.
• Conducts studies and evaluates needs for water, sewer, transportation, drainage, or other infrastructure improvements. Participates in planning these infrastructure improvement projects.
• Represents the City at meetings with government agencies, consulting engineers, developers, contractors, and the general public.
• Participates in negotiations of contracts with private developers, contractors, and engineering/design professionals.
• Sets project schedules based on assessment of project design, budget, and other user requests.
• Runs preconstruction meetings to establish project protocols and compliance with State and City construction standards, and coordinates City staff, design and inspection teams.
• Reviews plans and specifications for City projects or land development projects to ensure compliance with City standards as well as accuracy of cost estimates and other bid document items.
• Reviews and oversees progress and quality of construction; interprets design intent, facilitates solutions, and negotiates change order settlements.
• Maintains and tracks project budget, recommends revisions, and monitors contract amendments.
• Coordinates with contractor and other government entities to ensure contractors and projects have proper permits and licenses.
• Participates in negotiations of contracts with private developers, contractors, and engineering/design professionals.

Engineer I

• Coordinates planning and provides research for the design and development of construction plans and specifications for infrastructure projects; estimates construction costs and prepares budgets for future projects and studies.
• Produces Request for Proposals and schedules pre-design meetings.
• Evaluates infrastructure needs and makes recommendations for construction, rehabilitation or maintenance projects.
• Reviews engineering plans and specifications to ensure compliance with City standards as well as accuracy of cost estimates and other bid documents items.
• Participates in negotiations of contracts with private developers, contractors, and engineering/design professionals.
• Sets project schedules based on assessment of project design, budget, and other user requests.
• Conducts pre-construction meetings to establish project protocols and compliance with applicable construction standards, and coordinates City staff, design and inspection teams.
• Reviews, inspects and oversees progress and quality of construction; interprets design intent, facilitates solutions, and negotiates change order settlements.
• Maintains and tracks project budget, recommends revisions, and monitors contract amendments.
• Coordinates with contractor and other government entities to ensure contractors and projects have proper permits and licenses.
• Represents the City at meetings with government agencies, consulting engineers, developers, contractors and the general public.
• Trains other employees in various aspects of project management.

To view a summary of benefits offered by the City of Rio Rancho click here.

01

Do you have a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering Technology - Civil, or related discipline? If you certify you have a degree, your transcripts must be uploaded showing degree and date awarded.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Rio Rancho

Address 3200 Civic Center Circle NE

Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 87144

Phone 505-896-8750

Website https://rrnm.gov/