Senior Engineer (Planning - Collections)

Senior Engineer (Planning - Collections)

Salary

$164,424.00 - $199,846.40 Annually

Location

Headquarters - 18480 Bandilier Cir, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, CA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

770

Department

Engineering

Division

Planning

Opening Date

09/23/2026

Closing Date

10/7/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

What do you value in your next job?

At the Orange County Sanitation District our Core Values form the framework of our organization and reinforce our professional work ethic. If the following values ring true with you, wed love to invite you to explore our career opportunities further.

Integrity, Inclusion, Honesty, and Respect

We aspire to the highest degree of integrity, inclusion, honesty, and respect in our interaction with each other, our suppliers, our customers, and our community. We strive to demonstrate these values in our actions, commitments, and service.

Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem Solving

We lead by example, acknowledging the value of our resources and using them wisely to achieve our mission. We strive to reach OC San goals through cooperative efforts and collaboration with each other and our constituencies. We work to solve problems in a creative, cost-effective, and safe manner, and we acknowledge team and individual efforts.

Customer Service, Transparency, and Accountability

We are committed to acting in a timely, accurate, accessible, and transparent manner through excellent customer service. We are committed to act in the best interest of our internal and external stakeholders.

Resiliency, Innovation, and Learning

We continuously develop ourselves, enhancing our talents, skills, and abilities. We recognize that only through personal growth and development will we progress as an agency and as individuals.

Safety

We are committed to providing a safe work environment. We will demonstrate leadership, promote individual accountability, and participate actively in the advancement of our health and safety practices.

OC San is currently looking to fill the role of a Senior Engineer (Planning - Collections).

Under general direction, leads and participates in a variety of the most complex and responsible engineering assignments in the planning, design, construction, operations, and compliance of wastewater facilities, infrastructure, systems, and programs; manages major capital projects through all phases of the project management life cycle; inspects and analyzes plant operations, develops solutions, and implements process improvements; serves as subject matter expert and advisor to management staff on assigned plant systems, projects, or programs; researches complex problems, conducts technical engineering-related studies, and recommends operational, program, or policy solutions; provides guidance, technical direction, and training to other engineering staff; and performs duties as assigned.

When assigned to Planning:

• Leads and participates in a variety of complex professional engineering duties in the planning, design, construction, operations, and compliance of wastewater facilities, systems, and programs; oversees and/or prepares, evaluates, and provides comment on scopes of work for engineering projects, detailed designs, drawings, technical specifications, and scopes of work for engineering projects.
• Develops and initiates proposals for new projects; determines project goals, scope of work, staffing requirements, schedules, and budgets; oversees the project bid and proposal processes; solicits and reviews proposals; negotiates contract terms and participates in the selection of consultants and contractors; establishes project schedule and performance criteria; prepares agenda reports for the Board of Directors.
• Leads engineering planning activities for OC San assets and infrastructure; maintains and improves datasets related to asset management; works closely with Operations and Maintenance staff to identify field issues and evaluate solutions to resolve these issues; develops short to long-term planning for assets maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement; identifies, packages and prioritizes new capital projects.
• Actively participates in engineering design and major capital improvement projects through all phases of the project life cycle, from preliminary design to project closeout; manages the procurement of goods and services for assigned projects; establishes project milestones and key deadlines; interfaces with senior management, the Board of Directors, peers, project staff, consultants, customers, and users as necessary to coordinate project execution; informs stakeholders of project status and possible outcomes; prepares, oversees, and monitors budgets; ensures project progresses on schedule within prescribed budget and with acceptable quality.
• Manages the work of outside consultants and contractors; directs consultants on project planning, preparation, scheduling, and execution of contracts; ensures work is completed on time and in conformance with budgets, schedules, plans, and specifications.
• Conducts complex engineering calculations, research, analysis, optimization studies, and process modeling within specialized area of assignment; compiles data, reviews reports, and monitors processes; recommends and implements corrective actions.
• Oversees the design, replacement, rehabilitation, and abandonment of plant process areas, collection facilities, and pump stations; reviews plans and technical specifications and provides input on functional and/or safety aspects of proposed plant and collection facilities and rehabilitation projects. inspects, diagnoses, develops, and oversees corrective action plans for the most complex operation and maintenance problems.
• Inspects, diagnoses, develops, and oversees corrective action plans for the most complex operation and maintenance problems; reviews plant process trends, directs corrective action, and coordinates operational activities to optimize plant process and safety.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to OC San needs.
• Assists in the development of policies, procedures, and standards; establishes, manages, updates engineering standards to meet current best practices and engineering design requirements.
• Organizes and assigns the work of lower-level staff; trains staff in work procedures; reviews work products and provides direction for difficult and/or complex assignments; as a program and/or project leader, may direct, assign, train, monitor, and review the work activities of team members; determines work priorities; oversees quality and quantity of work performed and ensures adherence to established procedures by instructing employees accordingly; is a reference to employees by possessing specialized skills; and develops and implements work improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, or environmental engineering or a related field, dependent upon area of assignment.
• Six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering work experience.
• Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License.
• Must possess a valid registration as a professional engineer (P.E.) in the State of California.

Desired:

• Previous engineering planning experience.
• Previous engineering experience with pump stations and collection systems.

Recruitment & Selection Process

Vacancies: 1

(an eligible list may be established for future vacancies)

Apply online at: www.ocsan.gov/careers

APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 7, 2026; 5:00 P.M.

(or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)

Hiring Salary Range: $164,424.00 - 181,929.80/Year

(starting salary will be within this range based upon qualifications)

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various OC San sites, projects, and/or meetings; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 35 pounds.
• Mobility to work in changing site conditions; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders.
• Perform light physical work; lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 51 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress.
• Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
• Frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.
• Climb ladders, install cabling, work around and in low voltage field control panels and hardware; use electrical and networking test equipment; use tools to remove, install and test equipment including servers, network equipment, power supplies, fiber optics and cabling.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

• Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• May work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants.
• Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

OTHER REQUIRMENTS

• Probationary Period: All OC San employees, except classifications considered "at-will", are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, policies, and/or resolutions. Employees who have not yet successfully completed their initial probationary period serve "at-will" and may be released from employment without cause or recourse to any appeal or grievance procedures.
• Pre-Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of OC San's pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation, a physical examination, and a drug screen.
• Work Location Assignment: Employees will be assigned to a work location based on business needs which may be located at any/all of OC San locations; this work location may be changed at any time.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKERS

All Orange County Sanitation District employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the Orange County Sanitation District requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

OTHER INFORMATION

For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on our website.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.

False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the Job Application Guide.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of OC San's pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation and a physical examination. For some positions, this may include a drug screen. False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

Reference Checks will be conducted by OC San to verify employment related information for all potential employees once a contingent job offer is made during the background investigation process. This is done to ensure that individuals who join OC San are well qualified and have a strong potential to be successful in their employment. The extent of the inquiry will depend on the position being applied for, but will at least include:

• Verification/Reference from current and past employers
• Confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and degrees.

Please have all necessary documentation ready. Additional inquiries may be necessary depending on the position for which you are applying. Human Resources will also schedule a post-offer physical examination once a job offer has been made.

OC San only accepts applications submitted via our online application system. Applications submitted via mail, fax or email will not be accepted.

The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

Ten working days paid vacation after one year of service; eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday; sick leave; group life insurance; group disability insurance; group health insurance, dependent coverage available, including medical, dental, and vision, employee contribution is required; a retirement plan (Orange County Employees Retirement System) and the option of participating in a deferred compensation plan as well as other optional benefits. A credit union is available. Benefits are subject to the Board of Directors periodic determination (usually annually) and the meet and confer process, and are therefore subject to change. The District makes a generous contribution toward the cost of these benefits.

01

PLEASE READ. The information provided on the Supplemental Questions will be used in conjunction with your job application to determine whether you meet the qualification requirements. Failure to provide detailed and complete information may result in your application being rejected. Do not submit a resume in place of completing these Supplemental Questions. Education obtained outside the United States must be comparable to education earned at an accredited school in the United States. We reserve the right to request further information about your academic program, evidence of comparability, or an original transcript. Any information you submit may be verified. When applying for this position, I understand that I must thoroughly complete the Education and Work Experience sections of my application and the Supplemental Questions. This includes a detailed description of each position that I feel qualifies me for the job I am seeking. I have read the above statement and understand that failure to provide sufficient detailed information may result in my application being rejected. I also understand that I may not submit a resume in lieu of filling out the job application or answering the Supplemental Questions. However, I may attach a resume to the application to provide additional information.

• Yes, I understand.

02

Do you have a bachelors degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, or environmental engineering or a related field? Please ensure to list the details of your education in the "Education" section of your application.

• Yes
• No

03

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list your major as listed on your diploma. If you answered "No", input N/A.

04

Do you possess six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering work experience?

• Yes
• No

05

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please briefly describe how your responsibilities have increased over your career. Include examples of new skills, roles, or projects that demonstrate your professional growth. If you answered "No," type "N/A".

06

Do you possess a current, valid Professional Engineering (PE) registration from the State of California?

• Yes
• No

07

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please list your California PE License Number. If you answered "No", input N/A.

08

Do you have prior engineering experience related to wastewater collections, including gravity sewers and pump stations?

• Yes
• No

09

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe your experience related to wastewater collections, including gravity sewers and pump stations. If you answered "No" to the previous question, type "N/A".

10

Do you have experience in engineering planning including activities such as capital improvement program development, planning studies, infrastructure condition assessment, and asset data management?

• Yes
• No

11

If you answered "Yes" to the previous question, please describe your professional experience in engineering planning. If you answered "No" to the previous question, type "N/A".

12

Do you possess, or have the ability to obtain, a valid California Class C Drivers License by time of appointment?

• Yes
• No

13

All Orange County Sanitation District employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the Orange County Sanitation District requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency. Click on the radio button below to acknowledge you understand these requirements.

• Yes, I understand.

Required Question

Employer Orange County Sanitation District