Senior Civil Engineer at Butte County, CA

About the Department

Effective the pay period including July 1, 2026, employee base wages shall be increased by five percent (5%).  

Effective the pay period including July 1, 2027, employee base wages shall be increased by five percent (5%).  

Effective the pay period including July 1, 2028, employee base wages shall be increased by five percent (5%).

The salary range has 7 steps with employees typically starting at step 1 and moving to step 2 upon the completion of a successful one year probationary period. Each year thereafter, upon completion of successful performance, employees move to subsequent next step. Each step represents a 5% increase.

FLSA: Exempt

DEFINITION

Under direction, plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of engineering staff involved in capital improvement programs (CIP) operations; manages complex engineering project activities including planning, design, and construction or maintenance of roadways, bridges, and other projects; coordinates project activities with other County departments and outside agencies; provides highly responsible and complex administrative support to management; and performs related duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

 Receives direction from assigned management personnel. Exercises direct supervision over professional and technical staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full supervisory-level class in the professional engineering series that exercises independent judgment on diverse and specialized engineering activities with accountability and ongoing decision-making responsibilities associated with the work. Incumbents are responsible for planning, organizing, supervising, reviewing, and evaluating the work of assigned staff and for managing capital improvement design and construction projects. Incumbents are responsible for providing professional level support to management in a variety of areas. Performance of the work requires the use of independence, initiative, and discretion within established guidelines. This classification is distinguished from the Principal Civil Engineer in that the latter is a management classification with a broader span of control over and responsibility for directing and overseeing engineering staff and varied and complex programs and projects.

Position Duties

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Typical functions may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, abilities, and other characteristics. The list that follows is not intended as a comprehensive list; it is intended to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed, and may be required to perform additional, position-specific tasks.

• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of professional and technical engineering staff supporting Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects; trains staff in work procedures; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.
• Analyzes civil engineering plan design, specifications, consultant, and staff comments in accordance with design requirements, and county and intergovernmental standards and regulations; recommends approval or additional engineering conditions and changes.
• Conducts capital improvement project planning activities; provides oversight and input into the conceptual design of engineering projects; investigates and resolves problems with scope of work or cost issues; coordinates meetings with engineering consultants and attends meetings with outside agencies as needed; ensures projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Meets and confers with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating engineering matters; provides information regarding County development requirements.
• Inspects and verifies work in progress and completed work of assigned employees and contractors for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications. 
• Assists in developing consultant requests for proposal for professional and/or construction services and participates in the bid process; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; negotiates and administers contracts after award; ensures contractor compliance with County standards and specifications, time, and budget estimates; analyzes and resolves complex problems that may arise; recommends and approves field changes as required.
• Tracks and monitors the evaluation and condition of existing County owned and maintained bridge structures.
• Prioritizes structural roadway inventory and condition assessments including inventory roadway pavement conditions; monitors pavement management system (PMS) and traffic management activities associated with traffic counts, complaints and public requests; inventories culvert and metal beam guard rail structures and associated element conditions.
• Responds to emergency claims and repair related to natural disasters.
• Provides input in the development and administration of the annual budget and the capital improvement budget. 
• Monitors activities of the work unit; recommends improvements and modifications and prepares various reports on activities and projects; recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; implements policies and procedures. 
• Serves as a liaison for an assigned functional area with other County departments, divisions, and outside agencies; responds to and resolves various issues with residents, other department representatives, and outside agencies in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action. 
• Plans, organizes and attends public information and outreach meetings during the development of capital improvement projects; may include hours outside of standard work schedule.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions, and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, technologies, and new developments in the field of engineering; participates on a variety of committees, professional groups, and task forces.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; assists in developing policies and procedures such as procedure guidelines, design standards, and standard plans and specifications while ensuring operation and maintenance, financial, regulatory, and legal requirements are met. 
• Develops and reviews staff reports related to engineering programs, projects, and activities; may present information to the Board of Supervisors and various commissions, committees, and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities. 
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to the planning, design, cost estimating, construction, installation, and inspection of a wide variety of public works projects.
• Principles and practices of project management.
• County procedures for steering capital improvement program projects from inception to approval.
• Civil and transportation engineering principles, concepts, standards, and practices associated with public works programs and private development projects. 
• Principles and practices of environmental impact assessment and related regulatory processes. 
• Principles and practices of budget and contract management. 
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility. 
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports. 
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned functional area. 
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern 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:

• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Supervise the capital improvement project program.
• Review accurate plans, specifications, cost estimates, and comprehensive engineering reports.
• Manage and monitor complex projects on-time and within budget.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Review and present clear, concise, and logical written and oral reports, correspondence, project specifications, legal descriptions, and other written materials.
• Convey technical ideas and information in a clear and concise manner.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the County in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
• 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.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training, experience and educational degrees that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Substitutions will be made on a year for year basis. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil or environmental engineering or a related field; and

Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience providing professional support to a civil engineering program.

Certifications and Licenses:

• Must possess a valid US driver’s license upon date of application. Must obtain California driver’s license following hire date per California DMV regulations.
• Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer issued by the State of California, to be maintained throughout employment. (Candidates from out of state who hold a comparable license may be considered with the stipulation that they are eligible for an appropriate California license and that they receive the license by the end of the probationary period.)

Other Qualifications

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

When assigned to an office environment:

• Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites; 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 10 pounds.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen. 
• 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.

When assigned to field inspection:

• 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 and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various County sites.
• Strength and stamina to perform light to medium physical work; lift, carry, push and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 50 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
• Vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. 
• Fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

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

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS UTILIZED

• Equipment utilized includes personal computer, fax machine, standard office equipment, County vehicle, total station, laser level, measuring devices, and plotters.

Disaster Service Worker

All Butte County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). 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.