Contract Civil Engineer

Civil Engineer

6 Month Contract with the County

Job Description

This Civil Engineer role supports sewer and water capital improvement and maintenance projects within a public works environment. You will help plan and coordinate design and construction activities, ensure compliance with public works standards, and contribute to the effective delivery of water distribution and sanitary sewer infrastructure projects. The position offers hands-on experience with local government operations and provides valuable exposure to large-scale utility systems and public infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate sewer and water capital improvement and maintenance projects to ensure compliance with public works standards.
• Review system capacities for water systems, sanitary sewers, interceptors, and wastewater treatment facilities to support project planning and design decisions.
• Coordinate design and construction activities for assigned projects, working closely with contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
• Assist with and review contractor pay requests and estimates, ensuring accuracy and alignment with completed work.
• Prepare, organize, and file documentation related to capital projects, maintaining clear records between contractors and project teams.
• Perform field inspections to verify compliance with approved plans, specifications, and standards.
• Interact with contractors on-site to communicate findings and ensure necessary corrections are implemented promptly.
• File daily, weekly, and periodic reports documenting project status, quantities of completed work, and other key metrics using construction-related software tools.
• Gather, organize, and analyze technical data and information related to assigned projects to support decision-making and reporting.
• Maintain effective document control for project records, drawings, and technical materials.
• Collaborate with design consultants to review plans and resolve technical issues as needed.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with various stakeholders, including internal teams, external partners, and field personnel.
• Organize project documentation, schedule meetings, and conduct project-related discussions to keep activities on track.
• Support multiple projects simultaneously, typically 2-3 at a time, while managing priorities and deadlines.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Civil Engineering.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles, particularly as they relate to water distribution and sanitary sewer infrastructure.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and the broader Microsoft Office suite.
• Ability to gather, organize, and analyze technical data and project information.
• Ability to organize project documentation and maintain effective document control.
• Capability to schedule and conduct project meetings in a professional and structured manner.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for interacting with contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
• Valid driver's license with a satisfactory driving record, enabling travel to field sites.
• Ability to perform field inspections and interpret plans and specifications accurately.
• Comfort working with construction-related software for reporting and documentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in civil engineering within public works, water, or wastewater projects is beneficial.
• Familiarity with water distribution systems, sanitary sewer networks, interceptors, and wastewater treatment processes.
• Experience with data review, filing, and document control in a construction or engineering environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once while maintaining attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills to handle reporting, documentation, and scheduling responsibilities.
• Interest in gaining exposure to government work and learning the operational aspects of public infrastructure.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with design consultants and project teams.
• Comfort working both in an office setting and in the field on active construction or infrastructure sites.

Work Environment

This role is part of a public works team responsible for extensive sewer and water infrastructure, including hundreds of miles of pipe, multiple water reclamation facilities, pump stations, an excess flow facility, and a levee. The position is designed to provide support over a defined period and offers a strong opportunity to build experience and enhance your resume through direct involvement in local government projects. You will spend approximately 60% of your time in the office and 40% in the field conducting site visits and inspections. In the office, you will have your own dedicated work area and will use Microsoft Excel, other Microsoft Office tools, and construction software to manage documentation and reporting. For field work, you will typically visit sites with a supervisor and may travel in a company vehicle. You will support two to three projects at a time, primarily focused on water distribution and sanitary sewer infrastructure. The environment combines structured office work with active field engagement, offering a balanced mix of technical analysis, project coordination, and hands-on inspection activities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Waukegan, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $46.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Waukegan,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.