Principal Civil Engineer

Salary : $122,784.00 - $157,452.00 Annually
Location : City Hall - 300 E. Chapman Avenue Orange, CA
Job Type: Full Time Miscellaneous
Job Number: 001621
Department: Public Works Department
Division: Engineering
Opening Date: 01/13/2026

JOIN THE CITY OF ORANGE AS A PRINCIPAL CIVIL ENGINEER (DESIGN ENGINEERING)
Recruitment Note:

This recruitment is open continuously and can close at any time, without notice. The first review of applications will take place on January 27, 2026. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately

Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and reviews the work of a major engineering unit within the Public Works Department, including long- and short-term project planning, environmental program planning and compliance, design, construction, permitting, right-of-way, and other programs; coordinates assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; provides highly complex and responsible support to the Public Works Director, an assigned Deputy Directors of Public Works, and others in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.
Examples of Duties
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, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of a major engineering unit in the Public Works Department, including public and private sub-division projects, CIP, grading, field inspection work, and/or environmental programs, planning, and compliance.
• Manages and participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; recommends within departmental policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; recommends and administers policies and procedures.
• Develops and standardizes procedures and methods to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of planning services, projects, and activities; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends to the Deputy Director.
• Participates in the development and administration of and oversees the division budgets.
• Participates in selection, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees on performance issues; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Recommends and administers policies and procedures such as procedure guidelines, design standards, and standard plans and specifications while ensuring that operation and maintenance, financial, regulatory, and legal requirements are met.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposal for professional and/or construction services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; negotiates and administers contracts after award; ensures contractor compliance with City standards and specifications, time and budget estimates; analyzes and resolves complex problems that may arise; recommends and approves field changes as required.
• 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 of major facility upgrade and replacement projects.
• Analyzes civil engineering plan design, specifications, consultant and staff comments in accordance with design requirements and municipal and intergovernmental standards and regulations; recommends approval or additional engineering conditions and changes.
• Reviews and approves all grading plans and permits; all plans and specifications for capital improvement projects; all tract and parcel maps, lot line adjustments, and legal reviews; all controversial encroachment permits; and other engineering and design documents.
• 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 City development requirements.
• Prepares, reviews and completes various reports, including City Council agenda reports and division-related documentation and correspondence.
• Provides technical information and instruction regarding applicable procedures and methods; interprets and explains rules, regulations and procedures; answers questions and resolves concerns.
• Responds to and resolves various issues with residents, other departments representatives, and outside agencies, including slope and drainage, storm drain, channel rehabilitation, and flood zones.
• Serves as a liaison for the assigned function to other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings, as necessary; provides staff support to commissions, committees and task forces, as necessary; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Provides highly complex staff assistance to assigned management staff; develops and reviews staff reports related to engineering activities and services; may present information to the City Council and various commissions, committees and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities.
• Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommends modifications to engineering programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, committees, and task forces; attends and participates in professional groups and committees; stays abreast of new trends and innovations.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to problems and complaints from citizens in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and project management.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, and procedures, including Subdivision Map Act and subdivision agreements and conveyances.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned functional area.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to the planning, design, cost estimating, construction, installation, and inspection of a wide variety of municipal facilities.
• 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.
• Contract management practices in a public agency setting.
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned functional area.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, educational, regulatory and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.

Ability to:

• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
• Administer complex, technical, and sensitive engineering, development, and related programs in an independent and cooperative manner.
• Plan, organize, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff; train staff in work procedures.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, technical written material, and City engineering policies and procedures.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field and seven (7) years of increasingly responsible civil engineering and/or public works experience, including two (2) years of supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.
• Possess and maintain a valid certificate or registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California.

Supplemental Information

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, to inspect City development sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other temporary or construction access points, to operate a motor vehicle, and to visit various City and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be 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 occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, 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 weighing up to 25 pounds.

Environmental Elements:
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, 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.
Disaster Service Worker:

All employees of the City of Orange are designated by both State law and City ordinance to be "Disaster Service Workers." In the event of a declared emergency or any undeclared emergency or natural disaster that threatens the life, health and/or safety of the public, employees may be assigned to assist rescue and relief workers. Such assignments may be in locations, during hours and performing work significantly different from the employees' normal work assignments and may continue through the recovery phase of the emergency.

City Mission, Vision, and Values:
Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City's Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The City's values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.
BENEFITS FOR OUR SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM

The City of Orange provides a generous array of benefits to employees in addition to maintaining competitive salaries. All Senior Management Team employees are employed "At-Will." Benefits are prorated for part-time employees working from 20 to 35 hours per week.

The following is a partial list of benefits:

Salary Range. Salary Ranges are composed of six (6) steps, each approximately five percent (5%) apart. Advancements through the steps are generally made yearly and based on performance.

Money Purchase Retirement Plan. The City contributes an additional three percent (3%) on top of salary which can be taken as cash or placed into a 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plan.

Social Security. Employees do not contribute into Social Security.

Medicare.The City pays for the employee's portion of the required Medicare contribution, which is 1.45% of salary.

Retirement Benefits. Retirement benefits are provided by the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), including the City's contribution toward the Fourth Level Survivor's Benefit.

An employee who is a "Classic" Member of CalPERS or a current member of another California public retirement system who is hired on or after January 1, 2013, will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2.7% @ age 55 benefit formula with one-year final compensation. "Classic" CalPERS members contribute 8.00% of pension reportable salary on a pre-tax basis for this retirement benefit.

Effective January 1, 2013, newly hired non-safety employees who are "New" CalPERS Members, as defined by the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 ("PEPRA"), will be enrolled in the CalPERS 2% @ age 62 defined benefit plan with three-year final compensation in accordance with the PEPRA. New Members shall contribute half of normal cost of retirement as determined by CalPERS from their pensionable compensation, on a pre-tax basis, as set forth in California Government Code Section 7522.30.

Retirement Health Savings Plan (RHSP).The cash value of unused floating holiday hours and administrative leave hours will be contributed annually on a tax-deferred basis to be used for employee medical expenses upon retirement.

Cafeteria Benefits Plan. The City currently pays $2,230 per month which can be applied towards medical, dental, or vision insurances, and/or taken as cash under certain criteria.

Life Insurance. The City provides a term life insurance policy of $100,000.

Vacation. Senior Management employees earn 104 hours of vacation during the first year of service, and an increasing accrual annually up to 244 hours per year after 30 years of service.

Holidays. The City observes 11 fixed holidays and provides 22.5 hours of floating holiday annually. The City also typically closes its operations between Christmas and New Year's Day each year.

Administrative Leave. Senior Management employees receive 63 hours of paid administrative leave annually.

Sick Leave. Sick leave is accrued at a rate of 96 hours per year. Employees are eligible to convert a portion of unused sick leave to vacation on an annual basis. The City also contributes 50% of accumulated unused sick leave to the employee's RHSP for City employees who retire from the City.

Educational Incentive Program. Employees who possess a postgraduate degree or higher are eligible to receive $600 per month.

Other Benefits. Most employees work a "9/80" alternate work schedule with City Hall closures every other Friday. Safety employees work a "4/10" schedule with every Friday off; Long Term Disability; Wellness Reimbursement up to $550 per year; Employee Assistance Program; Tuition or Professional Development Reimbursement (up to $1,500/fiscal year); Trip Reduction Program incentives; optional Deferred Compensation programs; and Credit Union membership are a few of the additional benefits provided and/or available to employees.

For more information, please click for the Executive Management and Senior Management Resolution.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

A Medical Examination, Police Records Check, and thorough Background Investigation are required of all prospective employees.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986 (IRCA), all job offers made by the City of Orange are contingent upon establishing proof of your legal right to work in the United States.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. The types and levels of employee benefits provided, including City contributions toward benefit costs, are subject to change as a result of periodic contract settlements between recognized employee associations and the City of Orange.

The City of Orange is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

City Mission, Vision, and Values

Incumbents in all City positions are expected to exhibit the behavior characteristics reflected in the City's Mission, Vision, and Values statements in the performance of their duties: The City of Orange is committed to excellent service for our residents, businesses, and visitors. As an organization, the City of Orange is the leader in delivering the highest level of service to meet current and future needs of the community. The City's values include Teamwork, Accountability, and Excellence.
01

Do you understand that possession and maintenance of a valid CA Class C Driver's License is required?

• Yes
• No

02

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Did not graduate high school / did not obtain GED
• Graduated high school / obtained GED
• Completed some college-level coursework or obtained Associate degree
• Obtained Bachelor's degree
• Obtained Graduate degree

03

Do you possess a valid certificate or registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

04

The incumbent for this position will be assigned to the Design Engineering Division within the Public Works Department. Do you acknowledge and understand this assignment?

• Yes
• No

05

How many years of experience do you possess in civil engineering and/or public works?

• None
• Less than seven (7) years
• Seven (7) or more years

06

Describe your experience in design engineering, contract administration, plan checking, construction management, and/or pavement design. If none, type "N/A".
07

How many years of supervisory experience do you possess?

• None
• Less than two (2) years
• Two (2) or more years

08

Briefly describe your management/supervisory experience, including your leadership style and the types of staff you have supervised.
Required Question

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