Senior Engineer - Drainage Engineering / CIP

Senior Engineer - Drainage Engineering / CIP

Salary

$136,339.00 - $165,877.00 Annually

Location

Carlsbad, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

052626

Department

Public Works

Opening Date

05/28/2026

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

The Position: The City of Carlsbad seeks a dynamic Senior Engineer with strong working knowledge of storm drain systems and drainage engineering principles to join the Transportation and Drainage Engineering Division of the Transportation Department of the Public Works Branch. The Senior Engineer is the first management level in the engineering professional series and will supervise the Drainage Engineering Section and support staff in the implementation of their assigned projects. This position reports to the Transportation and Drainage Engineering Division manager.

The Senior Engineer will manage and perform professional engineering tasks that include contract administration, design and project management of various drainage systems, review plans, specifications, and cost estimate, and conduct technical studies to ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, County, and local standards and regulations.

Please apply if you are a drainage/civil engineering professional looking for a management position with an organization that offers a great culture and an opportunity to work on a diverse set of projects, including maintenance, operational, multimodal and technology improvement projects. The Ideal candidate is a proactive problem solver and effective project manager.

Carlsbad - The Community: The City of Carlsbad is ideally situated in north San Diego County where a great climate, beautiful beaches and lagoons, and abundant natural open space combine with world-class resorts, family attractions, well planned neighborhoods, excellent schools, and a charming village atmosphere to create the ideal California experience. Covering nearly 40 square miles, the City of Carlsbad is currently home to about 115,000 residents. The city sets the standard for high-quality local government services and is home to corporate headquarters in technology, life sciences and action sports, supported by a thriving tourism market and nearly 40 percent preserved open space. Thanks to an award-winning growth management plan, the citys infrastructure and services keep pace with development and promote an excellent quality of life.

The Branch: The Public Works Branch is responsible for planning, providing and maintaining infrastructure that supports Carlsbads excellent quality of life. The branch includes a variety of departments including Environmental Sustainability, Fleet & Facilities, Construction Management & Inspection, Transportation and Utilities. More than 195 full-time equivalent staff support the branch, which also has an annual total budget of over $123 million, along with a total Capital Improvement Program (CIP) appropriation of over $110 million. These areas of services are often referred to as "Public Works".

The Division: The Transportation and Drainage Engineering Division designs transportation and storm drain system Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects, prepares master plans, conducts special studies and investigations, and provides as-needed engineering services to the transportation and drainage maintenance and operations divisions. For each project a variety of services are provided including managing consultants that provide planning, engineering and environmental assessments resulting in the preparation of construction contract documents, construction engineering assistance and general project management.

The division coordinates the preparation of the annual update to the citys CIP, manages the ongoing implementation of various financing districts and assists developers with the formation of additional financing districts and reimbursement agreements.

The division is also the lead in the creation and maintenance of the citys public works asset inventory. In addition to creating the inventory, staff in this section prepare and deliver mapping products and complete analysis of asset inventory data for various customers. This work also includes facilitating the utilization of the asset inventory data in coordination with the Business Systems and Geographic Information System divisions.

You belong in Carlsbad: The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal

Key Responsibilities

Typical duties assigned to this position include, but are not limited to:

Supervise the Drainage Engineering Unit which currently includes a staff of two and manage the unit in the delivery of the services noted below.

Manage and implement the development of the division goals and operating policies and procedures relative to the areas of drainage and transportation engineering.

Provide leadership, mentoring and career development for supervised staff.

Prepare staff reports to City Council, attend and present at City Council meetings or other agency meetings as required. Represent the city in community and at professional meetings as required.

Reviewing and evaluating plans, specifications and studies of consulting engineers and private developments for moderately complex public or private development projects for conformance with the city, federal, state and regional regulations and codes.

Participate in the development of standard engineering specifications, criteria and policy and procedure statements on engineering matters; provide technical advice to maintenance and operations staff and construction inspectors. Assist other city departments and the general public in the interpretation of city ordinances, policies, regulations and procedures.

Prepare Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposals; and evaluate Statements of Qualifications and Proposals. Negotiate scopes of work and fee proposals and work with Contracts Administration in the development and execution of Professional Service Agreements.

Preparing and submitting applications and secure permits for various projects and tasks including those required from the State of California Department of Transportation, County of San Diego, San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Coastal Commission and other regulatory agencies.

Manage and coordinate the preparation and review of various work products such as preliminary and final plans, specifications and cost estimates as well as the associated engineering, planning and environmental technical studies for CIP projects.

Identify and coordinate with all project stakeholders & regulatory agencies. Coordinate project design and development. Identify requirements for project approval and prepare schedules and budgets. Obtain necessary permits, CEQA approval and negotiate and obtain easements for public improvements.

Assist in the preparation and administration of operational budgetary and annual CIP budget report.

Interact and engage with the public, developers and engineers while implementing important CIP projects.

Provide and/or supervise engineering staff and consultants in the planning, programming, designing and construction support services for CIP projects.

Prepare Master plans and fee programs for transportation and storm drain infrastructure.

Coordinate engineering related activities with other city departments, divisions and outside agencies.

Qualifications

To perform a job in this classification, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties as generally described in the specification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties in a specific job. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• 7+ years proven experience working in a similar role, for a public agency or as a consultant
• Able to work independently and with a team
• Able to speak to all levels of staff and various agencies
• Skilled, effective and compelling communicator, with both written and oral presentations
• Problem-solving; able to offer alternative solutions to complex situations
• Understands the principles, practices and methods of civil engineering with an emphasis on storm drain and flood control systems
• Extensive experience planning, designing and providing engineering support services for drainage and transportation CIP projects

Knowledge of:

• Advanced knowledge of drainage engineering and general knowledge of transportation engineering and practices as applied to municipal public works
• Hydrology and hydraulic calculations and design procedures for storm drain systems and flood control facilities
• Techniques and methods for preparing designs, plans, specifications, cost estimates, technical reports, and recommendations related to storm drain and public works projects
• City policies and procedures governing engineering operations
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures related to the engineering, development and construction of projects
• Principles, practices and techniques of public administration including budget and personnel administration
• Municipal operations as they relate to other city branches, departments and divisions
• Principles and techniques of supervision and management
• The citys mission, vision and values

Ability to:

• Perform technical drainage and civil engineering work of a complex nature with a minimum of supervision
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing
• Supervise, train and evaluate professional and technical staff
• Plan, organize and direct the activities of assigned area of responsibility
• Apply initiative and be innovative within all aspects of the work
• Understand the organizational structure of the city and the roles and responsibilities of this position and how they relate to the organization
• Interpret applicable laws, rules and regulations
• Develop and administer a division budget
• Prepare and analyze technical reports, statements, contracts and legal documents
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships
• Maintain effective work relationships with staff, other governmental agencies, contractors and the general public

Experience & Education

• A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field is required
• Masters degree in Civil Engineering or a related field is preferable and may be substituted for work experience
• Possession of a valid license as a registered Civil Engineer issued by the State of California is required
• Minimum seven years of increasingly responsible and professional engineering experience involving the design and construction of a variety of public facilities and projects, including a special focus in drainage engineering
• Two years of experience in a supervisory capacity registration as a QSD in California are preferred

Physical / Mental Requirements:

While performing the duties of this class, an employee is regularly required to sit; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus to read and operate office equipment as necessary during the course of the work assignments.

While performing the duties, employees of this class are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret financial and statistical data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and apply mathematical reasoning and abstract statistical concepts; observe and interpret people and situations; learn and apply new information or skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; work under intensive deadlines; and interact with staff, City Council members and others encountered in the course of work.

The employee works under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet. Regular duties include traveling to construction job sites and/or development properties, with the typical conditions associated with construction and/or undeveloped/underdeveloped property. Employee is regularly required to attend meetings and travel within and outside city limits during normal work hours and in the evenings and on weekends.

The position of Senior Engineer is an at-will unrepresented classification.

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formula
• Holidays- 11 scheduled
• Floating Holiday- 2
• Paid vacation
• Executive Leave
• Computer purchase loan
• Tuition reimbursement

A detailed list of our benefits can be found here: Carlsbad Benefits

Additional CalPERS information can be found here: CalPERS

01

Do you have a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you a a licensed Civil Engineer in California.?

• Yes
• No

03

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, provide your discipline and registration number. If you responded "No", indicate "N/A".

04

Do you have experience supervising staff and/or managing consultants?

• Yes
• No

05

If you responded "Yes" to the previous question, briefly describe your experience. If you do not have experience in this area indicate "N/A".

06

In your engineering career, have you been employed by a public agency or provided consulting services to a public sector client?

• Yes
• No

07

If you answered Yes to the previous question, please briefly describe your experience and include your level of authority. If you do not have experience in this area, indicate "N/A".

08

Describe your greatest strengths (i.e. traits, expertise, education, etc) that make you qualified for this Senior Engineer position.

09

How many years of proven experience working in a similar role, for a public agency or as a consultant do you have?

• 10 Plus
• 7- 9 years
• Less than 7

Required Question

Employer Carlsbad, City of (CA)