Assistant Engineer I/II Civil (PE Not Required)

Assistant Engineer I/II Civil (PE Not Required)

Salary

See Position Description

Location

5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

02002-E

Division

Water Utility Capital

Unit

Treatment Plants Project Delivery

Opening Date

07/24/2026

Closing Date

8/2/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Assistant Engineer I - Civil: $118,060.80 - $151,049.60 Annually

Assistant Engineer II - Civil: $130,312.00 - $166,795.20 Annually

Overview:

Ready to help deliver the next generation of water infrastructure? Join Valley Water and play a key role in the planning, design, and construction of major capital improvement projects.

The Assistant Engineer I/II will support higher level engineers in the delivery of capital projects in the unit, such as the Rinconada Water Treatment Plant Reliability Improvement Project Phase 3-6. Under direct supervision, the Assistant Engineer I/II will perform a variety of civil engineering duties to execute and manage Valley Water treatment plants and other capital projects. This position requires the application of sound engineering judgement, knowledge of civil engineering principles, and effective coordination and communication with internal departments, contractors, consultants, and external agencies.

Our Commitment:

We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water:

Valley Water's mission is to provide Santa Clara County with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. The FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget of $1.284 billion supports approximately 876 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Who We Are:

To learn how Valley Water provides safe, clean water and environmental stewardship for the Santa Clara community, please click here

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Perform a variety of professional civil engineering duties in the planning, design and construction of water treatment plants and other capital projects.
• Conduct engineering studies, analyses, and field investigations; prepare reports, such as design technical memorandums and planning study reports.
• Assist in the preparation of engineering drawings and specifications; review drawings, plan and review other work submitted by external consultants for conformance with Valley Water standards.
• Perform engineering calculations and prepare cost estimates.
• Providing engineering support to ongoing construction projects such as assisting with design changes, submittal reviews, requests for information (RFIs) and assistance with change orders.

Ideal Candidates Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal Experience:

Level I

• No experience is required.

Level II

• Two (2) years of professional engineering experience, ideally with planning, design and construction of capital projects including water treatment facilities and water infrastructure.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

Level I

• Apply engineering principles, practices, concepts, and standards to engineering problems.
• Prepare, understand, and interpret construction plans, specifications, drawings, and other engineering documents.
• Perform engineering calculations.
• Learn, interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, and Valley Water engineering policies and procedures.
• Learn to conduct engineering research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.
• Use office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software application programs.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Organize and prioritize multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Effectively represent the unit and the Valley Water in meetings with contractors, engineers, a variety of outside agencies, and the public.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines, and best engineering practices.

Level II - in addition to qualifications for the Assistant Engineer I

• Independently conduct comprehensive engineering studies, investigations, and analyses.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, and Valley Water engineering policies and procedures.
• Conduct engineering research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical reports.

Ideal Knowledge:

Level I

• Knowledge of water treatment, environmental engineering, water quality, fluid mechanics, hydraulic engineering, soils and geotechnical engineering, and construction management.
• Knowledge of water resources engineering.
• Qualities of an ideal candidate include hard working, willing to learn, a positive attitude, patient, and a team player.

Level II - in addition to qualification for the Assistant Engineer I

• Principles and practices of project budgeting, cost estimation, funding, project management, and contract administration.
• Recent and on-going engineering related developments, including information technology, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of assigned areas of responsibility.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.

Ideal Training and Education:

Level I & II:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil or mechanical engineering.

OR

Possession of a valid California Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certificate with two (2) years of associated paraprofessional engineering experience.

Required License or Certificate

To review the Classification Specification, please click here

Treatment Plants Project Delivery Unit (Position Code 670)

Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.

Selection Process

(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.

(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.

NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.

Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.

Valley Waters Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.

Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.

Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.

The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, click here

01

I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.

• Yes
• No

02

Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. Responses that refer to attachments (e.g., "see resume") will not be considered. Each question must be answered in full to ensure a fair and complete evaluation. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

03

Please list the highest degree achieved.

04

Do you have professional experience or college-level coursework related to the planning, design, or construction of water treatment plants or other water infrastructure capital projects?

• None
• College course work
• 0 - 2 Years of Professional Engineering Experience
• 2 or more years of Professional Engineering Experience

05

Please describe your education as well as any knowledge/work experience in planning, design and/or construction of engineering capital improvement projects.

06

Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles of Valley Water Headquarters in San Jose, California by the start date. Valley Water does not cover relocation costs. If you live further than 150 miles from Valley Water Headquarters, please discuss your willingness to relocate if offered the position. If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".

07

Please list the full name of the regular/permanent Valley Water employee who referred you to this position (only one name will be accepted, so if multiple are listed, the first name provided will be documented as the referring employee). If this does not apply to you, write "N/A".

Required Question

Employer Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA)

Address 5750 Almaden Expressway

San Jose, California, 95118

Phone 1-408-630-2260

Website https://www.valleywater.org