Senior Civil Engineer

Job Description:

Senior Civil Engineer

Description

Description/Special Instructions

The City of Elk Grove is currently accepting applications for

SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER

The ideal candidate is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer with significant experience in traffic operations, traffic signal systems, intelligent transportation systems (ITS), and transportation technology programs. They are a collaborative leader who combines strong technical expertise with sound engineering judgment and the ability to effectively manage complex traffic, transportation and ITS infrastructure and programs.

The successful candidate serves as a trusted technical authority, capable of independently evaluating and making decisions related to traffic signal operations, signal timing, adaptive signal systems, communications networks, traffic management software, and emerging transportation technologies. They understand the operational, safety, and mobility impacts of engineering decisions and have experience developing and reviewing traffic impact studies, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) analyses, and appropriate mitigation measures.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of managing staff, consultants, and professional services contracts while successfully delivering projects from planning through implementation. They balance technical requirements, budgets, schedules, stakeholder expectations, and long-term operational needs while maintaining a strong commitment to customer service.

An effective mentor and communicator, the successful candidate develops high-performing teams by fostering accountability, encouraging innovation, and supporting professional growth. They build productive relationships with colleagues, consultants, partner agencies, and the community, and communicate complex technical concepts clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Strategic, forward-thinking, and committed to public service, the ideal candidate identifies opportunities to improve transportation systems through technology, process enhancements, and grant funding. They are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that enhance safety, mobility, reliability, and quality of life while supporting the City's growing needs and long-term vision.

Tentative Recruitment Timeline (subject to change)

Filing Deadline: August 26, 2026, by 11:59 PM
Oral Board Interviews: September 9, 2026 (virtual)

Selection Interviews: September 15 , 2026 (in person)

The City offers a competitive salary and generous benefit package including CalPERS retirement benefits, a deferred compensation match and more. Why work for the City of Elk Grove ? Elk Grove Jobs

Community Profile

Elk Grove is a vibrant, family-friendly community of approximately 178,124 people in the Sacramento, California region, located 14 miles south of the State Capital and 60 miles east of the Bay Area. Elk Grove is a young, ethnically diverse, modern city that was incorporated in 2000. Elk Grove has low crime, excellent schools, over 100 community parks and 28 miles of trails, plentiful dining and shopping options, numerous annual events and festivals, and over 270 sunny days per year.

Representative Duties

DEFINITION

Under general direction, leads, oversees, reviews, and participates in the work of staff performing professional and paraprofessional office and field civil engineering duties; directs, manages, supervises, and participates incomprehensive engineering projects related to the design and construction of City infrastructure and capital maintenance improvements; confers with developers, contractors, and representatives of other agencies regarding facility and infrastructure development; administers professional services and construction contracts; conducts a variety of engineering studies and prepares and presents reports; provides complex staff assistance to management staff in areas of expertise; and performs related duties as assigned. Duties may vary depending on the assigned department and division as described in the job functions section.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assigned management personnel. Exercises direct, technical, and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey and/or lead level classification in the engineer series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment, and, for lead positions, provide lead direction to a work unit of lower-level staff. Incumbents may also exercise direct supervision over professional and non-professional staff. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to perform assigned duties. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to complete assignments. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements. This class is distinguished from the Associate Civil Engineer class in that the former serves as project or team leader and/or supervisor over lower-level staff and performs the most complex and highly skilled engineering work while the latter is the journey level in the registered engineer series. This class is distinguished from the Engineering Manager in that the latter has full management authority in planning, organizing, and directing the full scope of engineering activities within the respective division.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, prioritizes, assigns, supervises , reviews , and participates in the work of staff performin g professional and paraprofessional office and field civil engineering duties; assumes responsibility for the workflow of an assigned work unit by making work assignments, ensuring that work is consistent with quality standards, and timeline expectations are met.
  
• Performs the more complex work assignments for the classification series for which there are little or no directly related policies, procedures, or past practice which requires the exercise of independent judgment and discretion in establishing work plans, identifying resources, and completing assignments.
  
• Provides input for personnel decisions such as performance evaluations, promotions, hiring, and disciplinary actions.
  

• Provides direction for assigned projects including preparing or supervising the preparation of preliminary and final designs and specifications, developing requests for proposals and scopes of work, cost estimates, change orders, work plans, budgets, schedules, and baseline requirements, and contract negotiations and management.
  
• Serves as a staff liaison to City commissions, boards , and committees on engineering matters; represents the City in meetings with members of other public and private organizations, community groups, contractors, developers, and the public.
  
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
  
• Performs related duties as assigned.
  

When assigned to Public Works:

• Provides complex technical support for all phases of capital improvement and public works construction projects including planning, feasibility evaluation, coordination of environmental review, design, construction, and close-out.
  
• Assists with project management activities, including preparing or reviewing preliminary and final designs and specifications, developing requests for proposals and scopes of work, cost estimates, change orders, work plans, budgets, schedules, and baseline requirements, and contract negotiations and management.
  
• Reviews construction plans prepared by consulting engineers and private contractors to verify compliance with City, State, Federal, and/or industry standards and requirements for construction infrastructure; checks plans for conformance with regulations regarding line, grade, size, elevation, and location of structures; reviews engineering calculations of other engineers or engineering technicians; approves and signs off on drawings and project documents and may act as “Engineer in Responsible Charge” on assigned projects.
  
• L eads and participates in pre-design, construction, and utility coordination meetings.
  
• Researches funding opportunities; coordinates and/or completes and submits grant applications; tracks grant funded projects and requirements; processes and maintains paperwork and reimbursement requests in compliance with funding and reporting requirements.
  
• Initiates, conducts , and reviews engineering studies and cost analyses for assigned projects; researches project design requirements; prepares complex engineering calculations and estimates, preliminary layouts and specifications, and design work from field and survey data.
  

When assigned to Community Development:

• Coordinate s, r eview s and comment s on private development applications and construction documents related to civil improvements to ensure compliance with City standards and requirements as related to roadway design, traffic/transportation, systems, storm drains, and storm water management, and coordination with water and sewer systems.
  
• Coordinate s and r eview s subdivision maps, parcel maps and public easements to ensure compliance with City standards and Subdivision Map Act.
  
• Issue s permits; review s and process es agreements and project related fees.
  
• Coordinate s with developers, design engineers, contractors and construction inspectors during project design and construction.
  

• Attend s and participate s in meetings and provide s creative solutions.
  
• Provide s customer service via phone, in-person and through electronic means such as email .
  
• Review s , meet s , and condition s proposed development projects.
  
• Coordinate s with Public Works as necessary on the review and conditioning of development projects.
  
• Participate s in or initiate s and complete s traffic studies (LOS and VMT) for development projects ; evaluate s sight distance, signage and striping ; serve s as the City’s in-house traffic/transportation modeler; serve s as the Community Development liaison to Public Works Traffic Division.
  
• Review s development and building permits for conformance with City design standards, flood prevention ordinance, and impact to floodplains and provide s comments.
  
• Advise s on traffic control, geometrics, signing and illumination; provide advisory assistance and technical guidance on traffic-related matters to interested parties .
  

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training to assigned staff.
  
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluations.
  
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
  
• Basic principles and practices of budget administration and monitoring.
  
• Civil engineering principles and practices applied to the field of municipal public works or private development , including planning and development, design, construction, operation and maintenance.
  
• Principles and practices of project budgeting, cost estimation, funding, project management, and contract negotiation and administration.
  
• Methods, materials, and techniques used in civil site co nstruction.
  
• General design, layout, and construction practices for public improvements such as sewer, storm drain, street improvements, traffic signals, public works facilities, and building structures.
  

• Engineering plan types, review practices, and permit filing and approval procedures.
  
• Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to engineering work.
  
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing technical reports.
  
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
  
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
  
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
  
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division.
  
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
  
• City and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
  
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
  
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging concepts and principles, including their significance in organizational dynamics and functioning of the City and their impact on fostering innovation and collaboration .
  
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  
• Current equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
  

Ability to:

• Supervise, train, direct, coordinate, review and evaluate the work of assigned staff.
  
• Effectively provide staff leadership and work direction.
  
• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives , practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
  
• Identify problems, research, and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solutions.
  

• Perform the most complex civil engineering work .
  
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
  
• Perform professional engineering duties involved in the planning, design, development, and construction management of a variety of capital improvement and pr ivate construction projects.
  
• Conduct engineering studies and research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective staff and technical reports; present technical engineering information and data in an effective manner.
  
• Prepare, understand, and interpret engineering construction plans, technical drawings and designs, specifications, as-builts, contract documents, environmental and engineering reports, and other technical documents.
  
• Perform mathematical and engineering computations with precision.
  
• Coordinate services with other departments and f ederal and state agencies.
  
• Respond to complaints or inquiries from the community , staff, and outside organizations.
  
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
  
• Prepare clear, effective, and accurate reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
  
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and written records of work performed.
  
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
  
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
  
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
  
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
  
• Engage with a diverse public and workforce, facilitating inclusive service delivery, and implementing equitable city policies .
  
• Establish, maintain , and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field and five (5) years increasingly responsible professional civil engineering experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate , valid California driver’s license. This requirement may be waived for individuals who are unable to obtain a driver’s license due to a disability.
  
• Possession of a valid registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State of California OR if a registered Civil Engineer in another state, the ability to obtain registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State of California within one (1) year of appointment .
  

Retired Annuitants: This is a regular full-time position. Retired Annuitants are not eligible for appointment to this position under Government Code Sections 7522.56, 21224, 21227, and 21229. Retired CalPERS members may apply only if they are planning to voluntarily reinstate from retirement.


Employment Sponsorship:
This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship or any other type of employment-based visa sponsorship.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

When assigned to an office environment:

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required . Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities who are qualified to perform essential functions of a position or positions within this classification.

When assigned to a field environment:

Must possess mobility to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, and grasp; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light physical work; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, materials and objects weighing up to 15 pounds, or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment and assistance from other staff. The work requires wear and use of proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals with disabilities who are qualified to perform essential functions of a position or positions within this classification.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and occasionally are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

FLSA Status: Exempt

The information listed above is subject to change and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract. The City of Elk Grove is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and professionalism. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, should special accommodations be necessary at any stage of the selection process, please contact the Human Resources Department at (916) 478-2230. City of Elk Grove participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires.



Closing Date/Time: 8/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$127,040.00 - $170,260.00 Annually