Associate Engineer

Associate Engineer Salary: $115,606.40 - $147,534.40 Annually Location: Palmdale, CA Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 20260323 Department: Public Works Opening Date: 03/23/2026 Closing Date: 4/6/2026 1:00 PM Pacific Max Number of Applicants: 150

DESCRIPTION The full salary range for this position is as follows: $55.58 to $70.93. Expected hiring range is as follows: $55.58 to $61.28.

To oversee and participate in the activities of a major engineering unit within the Public Works Engineering or CIP Division and/or serve as project manager on a major engineering project; and perform the more complex professional and technical engineering tasks within the unit.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS This is the advanced journey level class in the professional engineering series. Associate Engineers possess the applicable educational and training background required for the professional engineering series, including appropriate certificates and licenses in the field, as well as practical work experience.

The Associate Engineer class is distinguished from the Assistant Engineer II by the responsibility assumed for overseeing a major engineering unit or program within the Engineering or CIP Division, or serving as a project manager on a major engineering project which involves supervision of full-time staff and direct coordination of project activities. Incumbents typically perform the more complex duties and tasks assigned to positions within the assigned unit.

The advanced journey level position may be filled either through open internal recruitment as a promotional opportunity or through a full external recruitment process. Lower levels are not flexibly staffed into the advanced journey level position.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Essential and other important responsibilities and functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Oversee and participate in the operation of a major unit or program within the Public Works Engineering or CIP Division, and/or serve as project manager on a major engineering project.
• Perform the more complex professional and technical engineering tasks within the unit or on the assigned project.
• Administer a special program or work unit within the engineering division.
• Supervise a team of professional and technical staff in the development of designs, plans, specifications, and estimates for the construction of assigned projects.
• Develop revised design and construction standards for public works structures and appurtenances.
• Perform plan check, review, and processing of plans for private developments affecting City streets, sewers, drains and related public works facilities; assure compliance with appropriate codes, ordinances, rules and regulations and make recommendations for revision and improvement.
• Prepare estimates and feasibility reports for new or modified services and structures.
• Prepare Requests for Qualifications and Requests for Proposals; assist in the selection of consultants; manage consultant contracts; review consultants work and provide technical guidance.
• Manage a variety of projects simultaneously, from conception through construction, which involves developing project schedules, monitoring project progress and budget, obtaining necessary permits, preparing and maintaining project files, monitoring quality of projects, and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Administer contracts; coordinate and review the work of outside consultants; review and recommend all payments and billing for contracted services related to assigned projects.
• Develop and maintain the online GIS website, including the creation of new reports and maps; and maintain all GIS data sets used throughout the City, including creation of new data sets as needed.
• Conduct investigations of technical nature and prepare engineering and staff reports as required in areas of assigned responsibility.
• Confer with contractors, consulting engineers, subdividers, and members of the public relative to assigned area of responsibility.
• Review and accept documents relating to the transfer/dedications, property line adjustments, and subdivision of real property including easements, grant deeds, road deeds, lot line adjustments, lot mergers, and final tract and parcel maps; prepare documents for City Engineer/ Director of Public Works acceptance of real property.
• Design and prepare or review and approve plans and specifications for public works projects including pumping stations, streets, storm drains, sewer lines, street, street lighting and related projects; research project design requirements; perform calculations and prepare estimates of time and material costs.
• Prepare special engineering studies and reports.
• Represent the City and serve as staff on various boards, commissions, and committees relative to assigned area of responsibility.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate the work performed by assigned staff.
• Perform related work as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of civil engineering and its administration.
• Modern methods and techniques used in the design, construction and surveying of a variety of public works engineering projects, including street, sewer, traffic, and storm drain projects.
• Hydraulic and structural designs of street and highway drainage structures.
• Applicable laws and regulatory codes relevant to design and construction in the areas of assignment.
• Principles and techniques of supervision and training.
• Principles and techniques of project management and construction management.

Ability to:

• Calculate complex engineering computations and to check, design, and supervise the construction of a variety of public works projects.
• Respond to issues and concerns from the community and internal clients.
• Administer contracts.
• Prepare specifications and write technical reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Coordinate and oversee the work of assigned staff.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Supervise and train professional and technical engineering staff.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Education: Equivalent to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• Experience: Two years of increasingly responsible and varied professional Civil Engineering experience comparable to an Assistant Engineer II with the City of Palmdale.

LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE

• Possession of or ability to obtain and maintain a valid California drivers license, or the ability to use alternative transportation methods to perform the essential duties of the position.
• Possession of certification of Engineer-in-Training by the time of appointment.
• Registration with the Board for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors in either Civil or Traffic Engineering is preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS Physical Demands:

• Mobility: frequent use of keyboard; frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional climbing, bending and squatting.
• Lifting: frequently up to 10 pounds; occasionally up to 40 pounds.
• Vision: constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.
• Dexterity: frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.
• Hearing/Talking: frequent hearing and talking, in person and on the phone.
• Emotional/Psychological: frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or coworker contact; occasional working alone.
• Environmental: frequent exposure to noise.

Work Environment: Work is performed in a typical temperature-controlled office environment subject to typical office noise and environment. May be required to work overtime on an occasional basis; weekend work and travel is rare.

Revised March 2026

FLSA: Overtime exempt

The City of Palmdale is noted for its highly skilled workforce, with a large concentration of aerospace firms located at Air Force Plant 42 and nearby Edwards Air Force Base. Its family-oriented and culturally enhancing venues, such as the Palmdale Playhouse, DryTown Water Park and Palmdale Amphitheater, make Palmdale "a place to call home."

Palmdale is located approximately one hour north of Los Angeles off the Antelope Valley Freeway (SR-14). It encompasses 106.6 square miles and has a population of approximately 165,450. The City is served by several school districts and has a growing retail and commercial base. For more information, visit www.CityOfPalmdaleCA.gov.

BUSINESS HOURS Normal operating hours are from 7:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday - Thursday. CLOSED on Friday.

UNION The Teamsters Local 911 represents certain positions in the Citys Public Works Maintenance division.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

• APPLICATION MATERIALS must be submitted by the closing date listed in the job bulletin. Resumes cannot be accepted in lieu of a City online application.
• RESIDENCE within the City is not required.
• AN ELIGIBILITY LIST of the most qualified applicants will be compiled based on the results of the selection process. The list will remain in place for a period to be determined by Human Resources.
• The benefits listed here apply to full-time and benefited part-time positions, not to unbenefited part-time employees unless described.
• A PROBATION PERIOD of six months minimum applies to initial employment with the City.

VACATION, HOLIDAYS AND LEAVE The City provides 15 paid holidays per year and 80 hours vacation (years one through four) with a maximum accrual of 240 hours (160 hours for benefited part-time employees). Administrative employees accrue 80 hours of administrative leave per year with a maximum accrual of 240 hours.

SICK LEAVE Employees accrue 96 hours per year with a maximum accrual of 800 hours (400 hours for benefited part-time employees). Unbenefited part-time employees receive 28 hours of paid sick leave per fiscal year.

RETIREMENT The City is a member of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Full-time and benefited part-time employees will be enrolled in either the New Member or Classic plan, as defined by CalPERS. New Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 formula and pay the full 7.75% employee contribution. Classic Members are enrolled in the 2% @ 60 formula and pay the full 7% employee contribution. All other part-time employees are covered under the Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS).

WELLNESS PROGRAM The program includes gym membership discounts, healthy eating programs, exercise classes & other programs.

DIRECT DEPOSIT Direct Deposit is mandatory for all new employees.

CREDIT UNION F&A Federal Credit Union & Logix Federal Credit Union (formerly Lockheed) are available options.

INSURANCE The City offers group health, dental/vision, long term and short term disability, and a $50,000 life insurance policy for full-time employees. The City contributes towards the employees health insurance.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION The City participates in the ICMA-RC Deferred Compensation Plan, which enables benefited part-time and full-time employees to contribute on a tax deferred basis.

OVERTIME COMPENSATION Overtime is accrued at time-and-a-half for eligible employees for time physically worked in excess of the regular 40-hour work week.

PART-TIME EMPLOYEES Unbenefited part-time employees are reviewed for merit salary advancement but are not eligible for any other benefits listed. Benefited part-time employees are eligible for CalPERS retirement, sick leave, holidays, and vacation on a prorated basis.

MILEAGE PAY Any employee may be reimbursed for work related mileage at 54 cents per mile when assigned to use their private vehicle on City business.

SOCIAL SECURITY The City does not participate in Social Security and does not deduct Social Security payments from any employees salary. The City deducts 1.45% of salary for Medicare and makes a 1.45% matching contribution.

*Benefits can change at any time.

01 These supplemental questions are part of the selection process and are considered part of your application. These questions give you the opportunity to fully explain your background and qualifications as they pertain to this position. Only the most qualified applicants as determined by the evaluation of this supplemental application will be invited to participate in the selection process. Your answers to the following supplemental questions are required for your application to be considered complete. Please note: if you do not have experience in a given area, type "none." Please do not write "Refer to my resume/application" as these answers will be considered incomplete and you will not be given credit. I have read and understand this statement. Yes | No

02 Do you or any members of your immediate family own any interest in any enterprise which does or might do business with the City and/or the Board/Commission? Yes | No

03 Do you or any members of your immediate family own any interest in any real property adjacent to or within the City of Palmdale? Yes | No

04 Do you or any members of your immediate family have any interests or associations which might present a conflict of interest? Yes | No

05 This position requires a valid California Driver License. If you are extended a conditional offer of employment, you authorize the City of Palmdale to request and review your California Department of Motor Vehicles driving record. Please provide the name and license number as it appears on your license.

06 This position has an expected hiring range of $55.58 to $61.28. With successful annual evaluations, employees are eligible for 5% step increases each year until reaching the top of the salary range. Additional cost-of-living increases may be approved by City Council. Are you comfortable with this pay range and progression schedule? Yes | No

07 Whats the highest education you have completed? (Required Question)

Employer: City of Palmdale Address: 38250 Sierra Hwy 2nd Floor, Palmdale, California, 93550 Phone: (661) 267-5400 Website:https://www.cityofpalmdaleca.gov/290/Job-Opportunities