Associate Civil Engineer

Associate Civil Engineer

Salary

$120,997.26 - $162,727.85 Annually

Location

Contra Costa County, CA

Job Type

Permanent Full-Time

Job Number

NKVC-2026A

Department

Public Works

Opening Date

09/24/2026

Closing Date

10/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

ZA

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 21 - Supervisory Management

Why join the Contra Costa Public Works Department?

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department is offering an excellent employment opportunity to fill multiple vacant Associate Civil Engineer positions, located in Martinez, CA. The Associate Civil Engineer will be working within one of five engineering divisions - Design/Construction, Engineering Services, Flood Control, Maintenance, or Transportation Engineering Divisions. The engineering division work on the planning, construction, improvement, and/or maintenance of road and drainage infrastructure within the unincorporated County, as well as flood control facilities for the County Flood Control District.

The position operates with a high level of independence, managing assigned projects and overseeing the work of subordinate staff, professional consultants, and contractors. The primary focus is on the day-to-day operations of the assigned unit. In this leadership role, you will guide and support staff engineers, engineering technicians, and analysts in developing their technical and administrative skills, influence the planning and delivery of infrastructure projects, and strengthen the department's positive relationships with colleagues and customers.

The Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) is responsible for the maintenance and operation of over 650 miles of roads, 79 miles of streams and channels, and over 150 County buildings. CCCPWD services include parks and recreation, sandbag distribution, flood control, road and facilities maintenance, and storm water management. CCCPWD operates two airports, Buchanan Field Airport in Concord, and Byron Airport in Byron. CCCPWD strives for continuous improvement to deliver cost effective, safe reliable and sustainable projects, programs, and quality services.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has a positive attitude; as both a team leader and team member.
• Is an effective communicator; someone who has good written and oral communication skills; someone able to positively interact with and work with individuals and groups of varying backgrounds; someone who is tactful.
• Is detail-oriented and can hold themselves and others accountable for completing assignments.
• Is able to multi-task; effectively works on multiple projects and tasks while able to effectively delegate, monitor, coach, mentor, and supervise subordinate staff.
• Is flexible and adaptable; able to work at various paces and effectively perform with competing deadlines.
• Improves; willing to champion continuous improvement and embraces technology.
• Is invested; enthusiastic about public service, municipal engineering, and their community.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Working on simple to complex engineering projects autonomously or with your supervisor, subordinates, consultants, and contractors. Delegating, supervising, and managing the day-to-day activities of your unit associated with road and drainage projects, programs, and services. Reviewing subordinates' work - improvement plans, studies, calculations, specifications, estimates, comment letters, permit conditions, grant applications, board orders, board resolutions, etc. Implementing and monitoring programs and services of the unit.
• Planning, designing, reviewing, and/or executing construction of road and/or drainage projects (repair, rehabilitation, or replacement); coordinating the civil improvements with landscape improvements; coordinating with other divisions to process environmental permits, right of way acquisitions, and financial issues; coordinating with other departments and agencies, such as the Department of Conservation and Development and Caltrans on the project development process and permitting requirements; coordinating with consultants and contractors, and overseeing construction of road and drainage related improvements.
• Reviewing and providing oversight for team members' work products; ensuring that they make sound engineering judgments and follow proper engineering standards, ordinances, policies, and procedures. Coaching and mentoring staff to help them achieve their professional potential. Creating opportunities to train staff to develop both their technical and people skills.
• Advising your supervisor and team members on activities and opportunities for improvement within your workgroup and the overall department.
• Responding to inquiries and complaints from elected officials, constituents, department staff, outside agencies, the public, and applicants/permittees.
• Setting the daily schedule, assignments, and priorities for yourself and your team.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• The Public Works Department team is great to work with. We value each other and our contributions toward having a great work unit, division, department, County, and community.
• You will work on interesting and challenging projects such as designing, constructing, and maintaining road and drainage facilities, shaping development projects, and providing and maintaining special district facilities which will keep you engaged. Your work will directly affect our community's quality of life.
• You will feel supported by Senior staff and managers.
• There are opportunities to be innovative while helping staff and customers navigate through the various challenges.
• You will share your knowledge and skills with others and positively contribute to their professional development and career.

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• Public/government agencies have limited resources, which gives us opportunities to be strategic in maneuvering through myriads of requirements, regulations, policies, procedures, and oversight. Meeting these may be time-consuming but are necessary, as they are part of the checks and balances in place.
• You will be joining a unit that will likely have team members of varying levels of knowledge and experience. Maintaining a sufficient level of adequate and well-trained staff may be a challenge with retirements, departures, rotations, and promotions.
• Projects, tasks, priorities, and daily demands may change requiring you to adjust your planned activities to provide quality services within the target date and budget.
• You will need to learn, know and monitor what is generally happening with other divisions, departments, and the civil engineering industry to evaluate what can impact your unit's program and services.

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner
• Delivering Results: Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks
• Innovative Problem Solving: Identifying and analyzing problems in order to propose new ways to do business
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Displaying Ownership and Accountability: Holding self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results
• Building & Maintaining Relationships: Establishing rapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships
• Organization Design & Structure: Establishing organizational structure and clarifying roles and responsibilities
• Strategic Thinking & Perspective: Evaluating immediate actions in the context of achieving long-range objective

To read the complete job description, please visit the website; Government Jobs | Associate Civil Engineer

The eligible list established from this recruitment may remain in effect for six months.

Minimum Qualifications

Licenses Required:

• Possession of a Valid California Motor Vehicle Operators License. Out of State valid Motor Vehicle Operators License will be accepted during the application process. AND
• Possession of a valid State of California certificate of registration as a Professional Civil Engineer.

Experience: Three (3) years of full-time, or its equivalent, professional civil engineering experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous experience working in a Public Agency or Special District
• Previous experience in training, evaluating, and mentoring others

Selection Process

• Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants will be required to complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application, applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
• Online Interview Assessment: Candidates who possess the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an online interview. In the oral interview, candidates must achieve an average passing score of 70% or higher on each of the oral interview competencies, as well as an overall passing score of 70% or higher. These may include but are not limited to: Critical Thinking, Professional and Technical Expertise, Decision Making, Analyzing & Interpreting Data. (Weighted 100%)
• Departmental Hiring Interview: To be scheduled once the eligible list is established.

TENTATIVE DATES

Online Interview Assessment: Tentatively scheduled for October, 2026.

The online interview will be administered remotely using a computer or mobile device such as a tablet. You will need access to a reliable internet connection to participate in the online interview, as well as a computer or mobile device with a camera.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Fina Prak at Fina.Prak@pw.cccounty.us . For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs' applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

Contra Costa County is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in its employment practices. If you believe you may anticipate needing reasonable accommodation, please visit our job seeker resources page at: Special Testing Accommodations | Contra Costa County, CA Official Website.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

01

The purpose of the questionnaire is to provide applicants the opportunity to elaborate on their experience, education, and training for the Associate Civil Engineer position and to assist the HR staff in assessing each applicants qualifications. Your responses to the questionnaire will be used to better understand your relevant experience, education, and training to determine which applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the recruitment process. Do not answer any of the questions by indicating "see attached application or see resume."

• I understand

02

Do you possess a valid driver license?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a valid State of California certificate of registration as a Professional Civil Engineer?

• Yes
• No

04

If you possess a valid State of California certificate of registration as a Professional Civil Engineer, what is your license number? If you do not, please indicate N/A below.

05

How many years of full-time or its equivalent, professional civil engineering experience do you possess?

• 3 or more years of experience as described
• 2 or more, but less than 3, years of experience as described
• 1 or more, but less than 2, years of experience as described
• Less than 1 year of experience as described
• I do not possess any experience as described

06

Do you possess experience working in a Public Agency or Special District?

• Yes
• No

07

I am confirming that all statements made in this supplemental questionnaire and on the application are accurate and true; and I understand that misstatements or omissions of material facts will result in being rejected from this recruitment process, or released from future employment with Contra Costa County.

• Yes

Required Question

Employer County of Contra Costa