Civil Engineer (Building & Safety)

Civil Engineer (Building & Safety)

Salary

$131,081.60 - $150,134.40 Annually

Location

Orange County

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

1815GE-0626-080 (O)

Department

OC Public Works

Opening Date

06/24/2026

Closing Date

7/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

CAREER DESCRIPTION

CIVIL ENGINEER

(Building Plan Check Engineer)

SALARY INFORMATION

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidates qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an eligible list to fill current and future Civil Engineer vacancies within OC Public Works, Development Services, and/or other County of Orange agencies. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

Deadline to apply: Sunday, July 12 at 11:59 PM (PT)

OC PUBLIC WORKS

OC Public Works is a unique County department comprised of 9 service areas, each of which directly impacts the quality of life for Orange County residents. OC Public Works provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, cities, and other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to ensure quality of service today and quality of life tomorrow. In addition, our vision is to be a world-class leader in innovative, professional, and quality building safety and public works services.

For more information on OC Public Works click here.

For more information on the County of Orange click here.

OC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

OC Development Services oversees the planning, Building & Safety, and development entitlement requirements for private and public projects within the County's unincorporated areas. This includes building plan checks, permit processing, inspection services, and management of zoning, building, and code regulations - all to ensure safe and responsible property development and community standards.

CORE SERVICES - Building & Safety

Ensures public safety by reviewing, monitoring, and approving, building plans, grading plans, water quality management plans and geotechnical reports. In addition, delivers community code enforcement services through the Neighborhood Preservation division.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Civil Engineers perform a variety of complex building plan review work (including structural, life safety, disabled access, CalGreen, and energy). The incumbent will be an experienced professional engineer, licensed by the state of California as a Civil Engineer, and will be responsible for independent plan review of residential and non-residential projects and specialized assignments. The incumbent will provide staff training, and project leadership to lower-level staff, and perform other related duties as assigned.

The immediate vacancy is within the Building & Safety unit. The Civil Engineer, under the general direction of the Senior Civil Engineer, will perform a variety of field and office professional civil engineering work including but not limited to:

• Reviewing grading and construction drawings and examining complex design engineering calculations on proposed construction.
• Review for disabled access and ADA compliance.
• Review alteration or repair of buildings and associated structures.

Successful performance of the work requires a building safety, construction, inspections, and plan review background. Additionally, the candidate must be skilled in working as a team and interacting with the public.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess three (3) years of continuous building plan checking and is willing to take on new and challenging assignments. Possession of ICC Certification as a Plan Examiner and Certified Access Specialist (CASp) is highly desirable.

In addition, the ideal candidate will also possess knowledge and experience in the following core competencies:

Technical Experience & Knowledge

• Ability to review and approve building plans (structural, life safety, energy) according to the California Building Codes and County Ordinances
• Performing reviews of buildings and site plans for compliance with ADA accessibility requirements, approving plumbing, electrical, and mechanical plans, and designing according to California codes and regulations.
• Coordinating with internal stakeholders (project management, utilities, real estate, survey, regulatory permits)
• Exhibit proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe, Bluebeam,
• Coordinating and managing the reviews of private developers and builders project submittals including street improvements, grading plans, and drainage plans with other County departments.

Problem Solving & Analytical Skills

• Being knowledgeable and experienced in identifying problems, solving them, acting decisively, and showing good judgment.
• Isolating causes from symptoms, and compiling information and alternatives to evaluate problems or issues.
• Involving others as appropriate and gathering information from a variety of sources
• Finding a balance between studying the problem and solving it
• Continuing to provide the highest quality service to all customers, clients, and stakeholders.
• Listening carefully and communicating concern through tone of voice and by taking action to solve problems in a timely manner.

Leadership Skills

• Providing guidance, training, and direction to subordinate staff such as Civil Engineering Assistants, and others.
• Fostering a team atmosphere and rewarding collaboration
• Coordinating with the field inspection team implementing approved plans and attending job site meetings if required.
• Coordinating with County project managers for the plan review process and project compliance with the County and the State codes
• Coordinating with Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) for implementing construction requirements within the state/the County adopted Fire Map

Communication Skills

• Communicating orally and in writing with engineers, architects, contractors, developers, and consultants
• Communicating technical and complex information clearly and concisely to a wide variety of audiences
• Recognizing the essential value of continuous information exchange and the competitive advantage it brings
• Seeking information from a variety of sources and disseminating it in a variety of ways
• Ensuring that stakeholders have current and accurate information.
• Writing clearly and concisely, composing informative and convincing memos, emails, letters, reports, and other documents
• Possessing knowledge, experience, and the ability to communicate using modern technologies such as social media platforms and virtual public meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Click here to view the complete classification description for Civil Engineer.

License Required

Possession of a valid California Driver License (Class C or higher) may be required for some assignments.

Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board for Civil and Professional Engineers.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)

Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidates rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidates qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.

Based on the Departments needs, the selection procedures above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

Questions? For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Zachary Gutierrez at 714-667-1623 or Zachary.Gutierrez@pw.oc.gov.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits

In addition to the Countys standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.

http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

01

Do you currently possess a valid Certificate of Registration or license as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers (PE License and not EIT certification)?

• Yes
• No

02

If you selected yes to Question #1, please provide your PE license number, if no, please type "N/A."

03

Are you currently registered as an ICC Certification Plan Examiner?

• Yes
• No

04

If you selected yes to Question #3, please provide your ICC Record Number, if no, please type "N/A."

05

Do you currently possess a Certification as Access Specialist (CASp)?

• Yes
• No

06

Please select the option that best describes your Civil Engineering education and experience: Note: If you are using education to substitute for one year of experience you must attach a copy of your transcripts or masters degree.

• Four (4) or more years of Civil Engineering experience with at least three (3) years in Building and Planning against California Building Codes
• More than three (3) but less than four (4) years of Civil Engineering experience with at least three (3) years in Building and Planning against California Building Codes
• More than two (2) but less than (3) years of Civil Engineering experience years in Building and Planning against California Building Codes
• More than one (1) but less than two (2) or years of Civil Engineering experience AND a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering
• Less than one (1) year of Civil Engineering experience AND a Masters degree in Civil Engineering
• No Experience

07

Please describe any Building and Planning experience you have. Include any experience you have in using California Building Codes to complete projects. In your response, include the number of years you have in Building and Planning, the employers name(s), and your responsibilities. If you do not have experience, write N/A. Responses such as "see resume" will not be accepted.

08

Please check ALL of the job assignment(s) below in which you have experience/education.

The disciplines that you check must be supported by the work experience you write in your response to questions #7 & #8 above.

• Americans with Disability Act (ADA) Regulations
• Bridge Design
• Building Design
• CA Building Code Regulations
• CAD/Computer Software
• Capital Projects
• Certification as Access Specialist Regulations
• Construction
• Flood Control
• Flood Design
• Development Support
• Hydrology
• Hydraulic Engineering/Design
• Planning & Design
• Project Management
• Regulatory Permits
• Road Design
• Santa Ana River Project: Cooperative Projects, RE/Financial Planning
• Technical Guideline (TGD) for Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) and Local Drainage
• Traffic Design
• Urban Planning and Model Simulations
• Water Quality Engineering
• No Experience

09

Please select all of the software/ computer programs that you have used while working as a Civil Engineer:

• Adobe Acrobat Professional
• Advanced Engineering Software (AES for Hydrology)
• ArcGIS
• AutoCAD
• Bluebeam
• Centracs
• Civil3D
• Crossroads
• Geomedia
• HEC-RAS
• Inroads
• MS Office
• MS Teams
• Retain Pro
• SignCAD
• Synchro/SimTraffic
• TransCAD
• Tru-Traffic
• Water Surface Pressure Gradient (WSPG for Hydraulics)
• WebEx
• WMS or HEC-HMS
• Zoom
• None of these

Required Question

Employer County of Orange

Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE

Santa Ana, California, 92701

Phone 714-834-2555

Website https://hrs.oc.gov