Utilities Development Services Engineer (Water-Gas-Wastewater)

The Department 

The City of Palo Alto is the only city in California that owns and operates full-service municipal utilities, providing electric, fiber-optic, natural gas, water, and wastewater services to the community. City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) delivers these essential services through five divisions, including Engineering. This position is within the Water, Gas, and Wastewater (WGW) Engineering group. Learn more about the City's Utilities Department.

The Position 

The Development Services (DS) Engineer is part of the WGW Development Services team and plays a key role in reviewing complex development and high-density housing projects. Working closely with developers, the City's Planning and Development Department, and other City departments, this position evaluates proposed developments to help ensure the City's water, gas, and wastewater infrastructure can safely and reliably serve future growth.

We are looking for a candidate with strong interpersonal skills who can effectively engage with our in-house staff and a diverse range of utility customers. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of WGW utility standards, rules and regulations, utility construction practices, and city permitting processes. Practical problem-solving abilities are essential to support WGW Development Services in a dynamic environment, where WGW Engineering must closely coordinate with WGW Operations, Utility Electric and Fiber Systems, as well as Public Works Stormwater Systems. This role requires good communication skills, the ability to handle fast-paced development demands, and the capability to collaborate seamlessly with engineers, operations staff, and private developers.

The ideal candidate possesses the following attributes:

• B.S. in Civil or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution
• Skilled in municipal water, gas, and wastewater utility systems
• Experience in a Development Services environment
• Knowledgeable about the California Building and Mechanical Codes as they relate to new development
• Experienced with Accela or similar city or county permitting software
• An effective verbal and written communicator, able to collaborate with WGW Engineering, WGW Operations, and private developers
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced private-development setting, including direct interaction at the City's Development Center

Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan. To learn more, click here.

Benefits: The City offers a fantastic benefits package including:

• Schedule: This is a full-time, in-person position following a 9/80 schedule with a regular start time of 6:30 a.m.
• Professional development: Tuition reimbursement, leadership training, and career growth opportunities.
• Education benefits: Potential enrollment for dependents in the Palo Alto Unified School District (pilot program, subject to change).
• Childcare support: $10,000 in childcare subsidies (pilot program, subject to change).
• Commute benefits: Incentives for walking, biking and taking transit to work. The City of Palo Alto participates in the Clipper Bay Pass program (Employee Cost: $5 per month).  
• Defined-Benefit Retirement Plan: with competitive pension benefits.

This is a continuous recruitment and may remain open until the position is filled. 

First review of applications will take place during the week of July 13, 2026. 

Subsequent reviews will be conducted every two weeks thereafter. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union position (SEIU).

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

Positions allocated to this level in the Utilities/Water, Gas, Wastewater Engineering Section may perform the following duties:

• Prepares plans, specifications and cost estimates for assigned projects requiring engineering capability in the water, gas, and wastewater.
• Manages utility construction projects, taking responsibility for contract administration, schedule coordination, political liaison, public relations, inter-utility coordination, and quality control. Field decisions and supervision of any and all tests may be required to assure specified results.
• Works with and provides guidance for the utilities' customers in establishing utilities' service requirements and efficient usage.
• Develop utilities materials standards, equipment specifications, and operating procedures.
• Provides guidance and work closely with utility project coordinator, utility engineering estimator, WGW Operations staff as required by projects, as well as outside consultants on major projects.

To review full job description, click here.

Sufficient education, training, and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, which would typically be acquired through: 

• Bachelor of Science degree in civil, mechanical, or other approved engineering curriculum depending upon assigned area; and,
• Equivalent to four years of increasingly responsible engineering experience.

(Note: PE Certificate or master’s degree in engineering may be considered in lieu of one year of experience.)

Special Requirement:

• Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California required to attain top step (Step E) in Engineer classification.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

The Selection Process: 

• Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text (please enroll in text alerts when applying).
• Updates can also be found on your governmentjobs.com account.
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time. 
• The screening process for this position may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
• This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy.

Technical Support:
For technical issues applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

Salary : $153,525 - $187,928