City Engineer na City of Eugene, OR

About the Department

Open Until Filled.

First Review: October 6, 2025

Accepting Online Applications Only

To be considered for this position you must attach a cover letter and resume.  Your cover letter should describe your experience and interest in the position, and how you meet the Ideal Candidate profile listed below.

The City of Eugene Public Works Department is seeking a collaborative, innovative, effective and engaged leader to fill the position of City Engineer.   The City Engineer oversees all activities of the Engineering Division, including design and construction of capital projects, transportation planning, water resources management, GIS, surveying, and development review.  This is a full-time position that works under the general direction of the Public Works Director.

If you're a leader who wants to learn and teach, trust and be trusted, explore and lead the future of the Engineering Division and Public Works Department, this might be the perfect job for you. As an organization, we value building trust and confidence, and in creating a respectful and inclusive work environment. We're also looking for a leader who will encourage and allow a creative work environment and place the wellbeing of themselves and their team at the top of their priority list.

Public Works

Public Works is dedicated to building a diverse and healthy workplace, one where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and the perspectives they bring. We strive for Public Works to have a personality that celebrates our accomplishments, encourages learning and growth, and promotes the wellbeing of all our employees.

This position is eligible for flexible work hours and we offer family-friendly benefits to all our employees:

• Retirement Plans
• Medical, Dental and Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off
• Opportunities to work on City-wide initiatives 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible spending accounts for transportation, childcare and health care

Living in Eugene

Home to 175,000 people, Eugene sits in the southern portion of the Willamette Valley and is known for its majestic trees, fantastic parks and a multitude of arts and recreational activities.  Situated in Lane County 110 south of Portland, Eugene is within an hour of the Cascade Range to the east and Oregon's breathtaking coast to the west.  Living in Eugene provides opportunities to find activities that speak to you.  Some activities include floating the Willamette River, walking, bicycling, rolling along miles of interconnected trails, dining and tastings at top notch local craft breweries and wineries, attending resident symphony, ballet company performances, or traveling acts at the Hult Center for Performing Arts.  The City is also home to the University of Oregon, founded in 1876, bringing the benefits of a major educational and research institution and highly competitive college athletics programs.

Get to know Public Works

Get to know the Community

Position Duties

The Ideal Candidate

For this important role, the City of Eugene seeks a credible, trustworthy leader who consistently demonstrates respect and is committed to collaboration, innovation, sustainability and creating a culture of belonging.  

In addition, the ideal candidate will have: 

• A proven track record in evaluating long-term infrastructure needs and proposing scalable solutions that meet the needs of the community;
• A strong commitment to leading a respectful and healthy workplace that creates a sense of belonging and brings out the best in everyone; 
• Deep knowledge of municipal infrastructure systems (particularly wastewater, stormwater, and transportation), including design and construction;
• Strong understanding of sustainability and resilience planning in urban infrastructure;
• Skilled in creating and leading cohesive, collaborative and multidisciplinary teams, and in working across division lines on city priorities;
• Outstanding leadership qualities and a combination of personal characteristics including integrity, compassion, courage, enthusiasm, good judgment, problem solving and a sense of humor;
• The ability to facilitate, lead and influence change;
• The ability to clearly and effectively communicate with diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing;
• A desire to mentor and train Public Works professionals wishing to advance their career within PW and the City;
• Comfortable presenting to city council, boards and community stakeholders;
• A professional engineer license in the State of Oregon.

Responsibilities Further Explained

Public Works Leadership: 

• Be a visible and engaged leader of Engineering, the Public Works Department and overall City of Eugene.  Serve as a member of the Public Works Leadership Team.  
• Support the development and update of the City's Emergency Operations Plan and may serve in a leadership role in the Emergency Operation Center during emergency events.
• Provide complex administrative support to the Executive Director of Public Works; assist with special projects as assigned; prepare complex and sensitive reports for State and Federal regulatory agencies; may act in the capacity of the Public Works Director in the Director's absence or as directed.
• Manage department advisory committees and provide staff support to Council committees.

Public Works Engineering Leadership:

• Direct, plan and coordinate division goals; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Direct, oversee and participate in the development of the Engineering Division budget including capital improvements funding; assist in budget implementation; participate in the forecast of additional funds needed; administer the approved budget involving several operating and capital funds.
• Represent the division on multi-departmental task-teams. Represent the City on multi-agency partnerships.
• Responsible for the selection, supervision, and evaluation of assigned staff; assigns work and ensures appropriate training is provided; investigates complaints; recommends and administers disciplinary actions; handles sensitive personnel matters and recommends grievance responses; exercises full supervision over employees.
• Resolve work problems and interpret administrative policies to subordinates, other departments, consultants, contractors, and the public.
• Provide information to the public; respond to and resolve difficult citizen inquiries and complaints. Provide opportunities for public participation in project development and design.

Capital Improvement Program:

• Plan, organize, evaluate and participate in the functions and activities of the Engineering Division for the future public works needs of the community including capital improvement projects; public works review and approval of development proposals; engineering design, field survey and construction management; and regional and local transportation planning.
• Review and approve plans and specifications, designs, environmental documents, reports and studies; review and approve tract maps, parcel maps and lot line adjustments.
• Serve as technical advisor to the City Manager and City Council on engineering related matters and capital improvement projects.

Infrastructure Management: 

• Prepare and implement long range planning for public works systems and improvements, including stormwater basin plan, wastewater master plan, transportation system plan and Vision Zero Action Plan.
• Participate and assist in implementing land use long range planning efforts including public facilities plan, land use code update, and comprehensive plan update.
• Develop and review infrastructure master plans, policy proposals regarding issues such as System Development Charges (SDCs), assessments, project proposals; present complex reports and controversial issues to the City Council and other commissions, committees and boards.
• Administer the SDC program, including rate analysis, collection, and response to appeals.
• Oversee and coordinate the department's GIS system.
• Review minor partition and subdivision land divisions for conformance with ORS requirements, local goals, and policies and public works standards. Direct the installation of all public improvements in subdivisions and developments by reviewing and inspecting privately engineered public improvement plans.

This posting wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging you may participate in other related duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferrable skills from a variety of sources and experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.
  
 When screening your application, the City will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to meet minimum qualifications for this position.

Experience

Seven years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering experience including two years of supervisory and administrative responsibility.

Education

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or ar elated field. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.

License or Certificate

• Possession of a certificate of registration as a professional civil engineer in the State of Oregon, or ability to obtain by reciprocity.
• Requires valid Oregon driver's license or ability to obtain by date of hire. Must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City's standard.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of civil engineering and administration.
• Organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs.
• Foundations of great leadership and how to engage and motivate teams.
• Understand concepts, and actively learn and practice, self-awareness and emotional intelligence. 
• Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of complex project management.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Automation tools relevant to public works including GIS, CAD, system modeling tools, infrastructure management, etc.

Ability to:

• Direct the operations of a modern engineering services division.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Ensure program compliance with Federal, State and local rules, laws and regulations.
• Supervise the preparation and maintenance of records and prepare comprehensive technical reports. Prepare and administer a complex municipal budget.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing to and before public and private groups and organizations. Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with diverse citizen groups in development and implementation of complex policy and long range infrastructure system plans.

Other Qualifications

What to Expect from our Selection Process:  Applicants are screened based upon their relevant knowledge, abilities, skills, experience, and training. The selection process varies according to the position and can include such things as screening of supplemental questionnaires, written or skill tests, ability or fitness tests, interviews, and assessment processes. In addition, background investigations and records checks may be required. Some positions also require applicants to have a psychological evaluation and/or physical examination and a drug test prior to employment. Marijuana use is evaluated consistent with current state law regulations. PLEASE NOTE: Once the posting closes, the process can take 4-6 weeks to complete.   

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The City of Eugene is committed to a respectful work environment. We value the cultural, educational, and life experiences of each employee. We believe that a diverse workforce enables us to deliver culturally responsive services to all members of our community. As part of our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion we desire to welcome, respect, and create a sense of belonging for a wide range of identities and experiences in our workforce. Women, people with disabilities, and persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.  

The City of Eugene complies withthe Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Any applicant with a qualified disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act may request accommodation by contacting an employment coordinator at (541) 682-5061.  

In compliance withthe Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Eugene will request all eligible candidates who accept employment with the City to provide documentation to prove they are eligible for employment in the United States.