Engineering Technician

Description

Thank you for your interest in the City of San Juan Capistrano Engineering Technician position! We are seeking a talented and motivated individual to perform a wide variety of technical duties involving receiving, processing and reviewing building, planning, public works, and other assigned City permit applications; to assist and provide information to the public in person by telephone and email regarding departmental policies and procedures; to conduct plan checks; issue permits; perform a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility; and to provide assistance to professional engineering, planning and other City departments. Please note that the posted salary range will increase 3.0% effective July 1, 2026. Apply now for this exciting career opportunity working alongside our exceptional Engineering team!

Examples of Duties

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

• Provides assistance to the public at the front counter, via telephone and email; responds to inquiries
  
  

and provides information on permit processes, policies, and procedures; issues permit applications

and explains legal requirements pertaining to applications.

• Responds to requests and inquiries from developers, contractors, engineers, utility companies and
  
  

the general public; provides general information regarding engineering projects and studies.

• Conducts research and performs records retrieval; identifies City utility locations; locates utilities on
  
  

record maps and provides flood zone designations.

• Receives and reviews completed applications; monitors documentation for accuracy, completeness
  
  

and compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and regulations; advises applicants regarding

necessary corrections required.

• Processes plans and ensures compliance with applicable codes, ordinances and regulations;
  
  

recommends minor modifications.

• Routes plans to appropriate staff; labels and logs information accordingly; creates plan files and
  
  

tracks and monitors plan status; notifies contractors, owners, engineers and developers regarding

plan status.

• Calculates and estimates fees for permits; collects fees and issues receipts for various applications,
  
  

registrations and licenses; inputs related data into the appropriate software application.

• Collects and compiles technical data and prepares related narratives and reports.
• Prepares and maintains records and files on plans and permits; assists the general public with
  
  

retrieval, copying and archiving of records; purges final permit files.

• Posts and tracks public notices; prepares staff reports related to non-developer deposit applications
  
  

including zone variances and sign permits.

• Coordinates project work with other City departments, outside agencies and/or utility companies
• May perform field work, inspections, and may assist with water quality and floodplain tasks and reporting.
• Performs a variety of general clerical functions in support of assigned office operations including
  
  

answering incoming calls, maintaining records, researching land and easement information, and

preparing departmental reports.

• Performs related duties and responsibilities as required to support the Engineering and Environmental Services Department.
  
  

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of urban planning.
• Basic civil engineering principles and practices.
• Methods and techniques of effective customer service.
• Permit applications and related documentation.
• Processes for reviewing plans, issuing permits and conducting plan checks.
• General office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Standard computer software applications.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local codes, laws and regulations.
  
  

Skill In

• Processing building, planning, zoning, grading, and encroachment permits.
• Responding to inquiries and providing customer service to the public.
• Explaining City policies and procedures related to the permit process.
• Conducting plan checks and monitoring for regulatory compliance.
• Calculating, collecting, and recording fees received.
• Processing and coordinating small projects.
• Maintaining accurate records and preparing a variety of reports.
• Operating office equipment and utilizing standard computer software applications.
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions.
• Communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of
  
  

work.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Experience

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

One year technical experience involving engineering and/or urban planning; and two years of

administrative support experience involving public contact and customer service.

Training

Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in engineering, urban planning or a related field.

Working Conditions: Primarily office environment, including extensive public contact, as well as occasional work in a field environment.

The City currenlty provides the following comprehensive and competitive benefits package:

Health Benefits - The position is eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage for the employee and eligible dependents. The City offers 12 medical plans from which to choose, and for 10 of the 12 medical plan options, the City will pay 100% of the monthly premium for the employee and eligible dependents. The City pays 100% of the monthly premium for dental and vision coverage for the employee and eligible dependents. Currently, employees who provide proof of other group medical coverage may opt out of medical coverage through the City and receive $400/month.

Paid Leave - The position is eligible for sick leave and vacation leave accruals, 12 recognized City holidays with a City Hall closure Christmas Eve through New Year's Day, and 20 Floating Holiday hours.

Retirement - The City is a member of the Orange County Employees Association (OCERS) which is reciprocal with CalPERS. Retirement formula is based upon employment status at time of hire. The employee contribution is based upon retirement formula and age at entry into the retirement system. CalPERS retirees may work for an OCERS agency with no limitations.

Life insurance and Short/Long-term Disability - City paid. Basic Group Term life insurance is in the amount of empoyee's annual base salary $20,000, and employee has the option to purchase supplemental life insurance coverage.

Other Benefits: Retiree Health Savings Account (RHS), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 457 deferred compensation account, Tuition Reimbursement Program, Ride-Share Incentive Program, and supplemental health programs through Aflac.

Note that the City does not participate in Social Security or State disability.

01

How many years of engineering related experience do you have?

02

How many years of experience do you have providing administrative support and involving public contact and customer service?

03

Describe your experience reviewing various permit applications, the process for issuing permits, as well as your experience conducting plan checks.

04

Describe your experience quantifying fees related to permit applications.

05

On a scale of 0 - 10, with 0 being none at all and 10 being expert, rank your familiarity with water quality related regulation as it relates to NPDES program.

06

On a scale of 0 - 10, with 0 being none at all and 10 being expert, rank your familiarity with floodplain related regulation as it relates to FEMA and NFIP.

• Required Question