Senior Civil Engineer (Traffic Engineering)

Senior Civil Engineer (Traffic Engineering)

Salary

$150,134.40 - $171,974.40 Annually

Location

Orange County

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

1819SM-0626-080 (O)

Department

OC Public Works

Opening Date

06/29/2026

Closing Date

7/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

CAREER DESCRIPTION

SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER

(Traffic Engineering)

SALARY INFORMATION

Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and 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 Senior Civil Engineer positions within OC Public Works 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

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on

Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PT)

OC PUBLIC WORKS

OC Public Works (OCPW) provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through the sustainable delivery of projects and services. OC Public Works' guiding principles are safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and adaptability.

OCPW is a unique County department comprised of ten (10) service areas: Administrative Services, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures; OC Construction; OC Development Services; OC Environmental Resources; OC Facilities Design & Construction and CUF; OC Facilities Maintenance; OC Fleet Services; OC Infrastructure Programs; OC Operations & Maintenance.

For more information on OC Public Works, click here.

For more information on the County of Orange, click here.

THE OPPORTUNITY

OCPW is currently seeking experienced and licensed engineers for Senior Civil Engineer positions. The Senior Civil Engineer is distinguished from Civil Engineers by their full supervisory responsibility of a section or unit of professional or technical staff who is responsible for complex engineering assignments.

This immediate vacancy is within the Traffic Engineering team, which is a group of skilled engineers, engineers-in-training, and project managers. In this role, the main responsibilities include performing traffic investigations and engineering studies, as well as reviewing, planning, designing, and/or managing transportation engineering projects.

The primary job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead traffic signal and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) design
• Analyze traffic data and conduct traffic volume studies, capacity analyses, and safety evaluations
• Develop and optimize signal timing plans
• Coordinate with public agencies, clients, and citizen groups
• Manage & troubleshoot ITS systems, including dynamic message signs (DMS), CCTV cameras, and traffic controllers
• Mentor staff and oversee project budgets and schedules
• Monitor traffic conditions and support incident response

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES

The ideal candidate will possess experience demonstrating the principles of Traffic Engineering and possess a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil & Traffic Engineer issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.

LICENSE/ CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.

Possession of a valid California Drivers License (Class C or higher) is required for this assignment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Click here for a complete description of the Senior Civil Engineer classification.

In addition to the above, the most successful candidates will possess the following knowledge and core competencies:

Technical Expertise & Knowledge

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of Civil & Traffic Engineering
• Working knowledge of County of Orange regulations, standards, and details
• Preparing accurate engineering computations, estimates, and notes, and performing moderate to complex mathematical calculations
• Experience in field data collection, such as speed surveys and traffic counts
• Reading and preparing signing and striping plans, signal plans, and traffic control plans
• Reading and preparing traffic study reports and transportation planning documents
• Reading and interpreting topographic maps and tract maps
• Strong experience with software programs such as GIS, AutoCAD, Trans CAD, VISSIM, and Synchro/Sim traffic
• Computer-literate with demonstrated knowledge of MS-Office applications and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs
• Working knowledge of the operation and management of a Traffic Management Center (TMC)

Problem Solving & Analytical Skills

• 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
• Listening carefully and communicating concern through tone of voice and by taking action to solve problems in a timely manner

Communication/Interpersonal Skills

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to clearly and concisely convey technical and/or complex information to a diverse workgroup
• Ability to draft and interpret technical reports and memos
• Demonstrate a high degree of motivation and willingness to learn
• Maintain a professional perspective and objective demeanor when varied situations occur
• Review and handle complex projects involving several functional groups
• Recognize and embrace the value of safety both in the field and in the office
• Team player who can maintain effective working relationships with fellow County employees, as well as consultants and contractors of the Department

Leadership Skills

• Experience in training and directing subordinate staff.
• Ability to oversee and review the work of others, such as engineers who perform reviews of technical studies and reports.
• Ability to foster a team atmosphere and reward collaboration.
• Ability to effectively motivate others to promote productivity and efficiency.
• Ability to evaluate subordinate staff and identify performance issues.
• Leading a high-performance, results-oriented team to implement organizational goals while balancing competing needs and objectives.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Utilizes tact and diplomacy in dealing with difficult and sensitive situations while displaying departmental and/or County perspective in handling the issues/situation.
• Continuously seeks innovative ways to improve processes.

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.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview (Weighted 100%)

Candidates will be interviewed and rated by 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.

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

Based on the Departments needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All 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.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

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 Rose Nguyen at 714-667-9699 or by email at Rose.Nguyen@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

The information you provide will be used to evaluate your qualifications for the position. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing these questions. NOTE: Responses of "See Work Experience", "See Resume," or copying and pasting work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be evaluated or rated. If you have no experience, write "N/A" for the appropriate question. By selecting yes below, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this application requirement.

• Yes, I have read and understand
• No

02

A valid California Class C or higher Drivers License is required for this position. Do you currently possess a valid California Drivers License? Please attach a copy to your application

• Yes, I currently possess a valid California Class C Drivers License and it is attached.
• No, I do not currently possess a valid California Class C Drivers License.

03

This position requires a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Please provide the license number below. If you also possess a Traffic Engineer License, please provide the license number If you do not possess such a license, please enter "N/A."

04

Please select the option that best describes your experience:

• I have three (3) or more years of experience as a Civil Engineer with the County of Orange
• I have four (4) or more years of post-registration civil engineering experience related to the competencies and qualifications listed in the job bulletin AND one (1) or more years of full-time paid experience leading and/or supervising professional or technical staff engaged in civil engineering work.
• None of the above

05

Briefly describe two to three (2-3) of the most complex traffic engineering projects in which you have been involved. Please include your role in the project, job title, duties, and a brief description of your level of responsibility. Responses of "See Resume" or copy and paste of work experience is not a qualifying response and will not be evaluated or rated. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and of responses to the supplemental questions. If you have no experience, write "N/A" for the appropriate question.

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