Project Engineer I/II

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in a collaborative environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive and grow while fulfilling our Mission.

The mission of the Public Works Department is to provide the community with the sustainable foundation to thrive by delivering quality services and public infrastructure through efficient and fiscally responsible practices.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

As a City of Santa Barbara employee, the work that you do has a tangible impact on our community. We are about more than the bottom line; our work ensures the health and safety of residents and visitors, protects and preserves our architectural heritage and the natural environment, and enriches lives.

As City employees, we are the stewards of this beautiful place. Our job is to help the elected officials serve everyone in our community and ensure Santa Barbara continues to be a special place for future generations. This is an exciting, and sometimes demanding, responsibility. It is important work that you can be proud to perform. 

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS & PAY

Earn an attractive compensation package including competitive pay, comprehensive health and welfare benefits, retirement, paid time off, flexible work policies, commuter support, training and educational reimbursement.

THE POSITIONS

The City of Santa Barbara’s Public Works Department is seeking two (2) Project Engineers (I/II) to perform professional engineering work supporting delivery of the City’s Capital Improvement Program and the City’s development review process. This recruitment may be used to build an eligibility list for future Project Engineer vacancies. There are currently two vacancies, one in Land Development Engineering and one in Streets Engineering Design, but the list may also be used to fill future Project Engineer vacancies in other areas, including Water Resources Design and Construction, Streets Engineering Construction, Traffic Engineering, Facilities Engineering, and Airport Engineering.

A Project Engineer in the Public Works Engineering Division performs professional civil engineering and project management work on public infrastructure projects. Responsibilities include designing and preparing plans, specifications, and estimates; conducting technical analyses and calculations; managing project scopes and bid documents; reviewing public infrastructure plans; overseeing consultants; administering design and construction contracts; and preparing technical reports. Work spans streets, drainage, transportation, water, wastewater, parks, facilities, streetlights, and general construction, with the engineer exercising independent professional judgment in accordance with engineering standards and applicable laws.

Land Development: This position plays a key role in the City’s development review process by providing technical plan review and plan check services for private development projects. Responsibilities include evaluating site design, utilities, drainage, and proposed improvements within the public right-of-way to ensure compliance with City standards, municipal codes, and applicable state and federal regulations. The position coordinates closely with City departments, developers, consultants, and utility providers to facilitate timely Public Right-of-Way permit issuance while protecting public infrastructure and ensuring long-term maintainability. Additionally, the Land Development Project Engineer reviews, approves, and administers matters regulated by the Subdivision Map Act and related statutes, in accordance with City land development guidelines, policies, procedures, and standards. This work ensures development is implemented safely, efficiently, and in alignment with the City’s engineering and infrastructure objectives.

FUTURE ELIGIBILITY LIST

As noted, applications may be held for some time to fill potential future Project Engineer openings, including openings within Water Resources Design and Construction, Streets Engineering Construction, Traffic Engineering, Facilities Engineering, and Airport Engineering. Below is a brief overview of the other work groups within the Engineering Division.

Water Resources Design and Construction: Project Engineers in this work group support delivery of the City’s Water and Wastewater Capital Programs and support ongoing operations and maintenance needs. Projects typically include water main replacement, water storage/treatment/delivery systems and structures, wastewater collections system rehabilitation, wastewater treatment upgrades, and Responsibilities generally include in-house design, drafting, plan and specification preparation, construction management, contract management, and consultant management.

Streets Engineering Construction: This position supports the delivery of the City’s Capital Improvement Program by providing engineering and project management during the construction phase of public infrastructure projects, primarily focused on streets, sidewalks, stormwater systems, and transportation facilities. Responsibilities include serving as the City’s engineering representative during construction, reviewing contractor submittals, responding to requests for information, and ensuring construction complies with approved plans, specifications, and engineering standards. The role also involves coordinating with contractors, inspectors, consultants, utility providers, and other City departments to resolve field issues and maintain project schedules and budgets. This position plays a critical role in protecting public investment by ensuring infrastructure is constructed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with design intent. Through active oversight and technical support, the position helps deliver durable, high-quality improvements that serve the community for decades.

Traffic Engineering: The Project Engineer in Traffic Engineering will primarily evaluate the City’s traffic control systems, evaluate operations, timing, and safety improvements related to traffic flow and multi-modal transportation, perform in-house drafting, design, plan, and specification preparation for traffic/transportation improvements, coordinate with utilities and traffic operations for maintenance and repair projects.

Facilities Engineering: Project Engineers in Facilities Engineering are primarily responsible for the engineering design, drafting, specifications, and construction of improvements, repairs, and maintenance of all City owned buildings. Management of consultants is also typical for this position.

Airport Engineering: Project Engineers in Airport Engineering are primarily responsible for the engineering design, drafting, specifications, and construction management for all facilities related to the function and operation of the Airport, including, runway and transportation design/maintenance, maintenance and upgrading facilities, water and wastewater design, etc. Management of consultants is also typical for this position.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Project Engineer I – This is the entry-level class in the Project Engineer series.  This class is distinguished from the Project Engineer II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series including work on smaller projects, performed under direct supervision.

Knowledge of: Design principles and practices of civil engineering. Terminology, methods, practices, and techniques used in technical civil engineering report writing and bid preparation. Materials, tools, and equipment used in civil engineering. Principles of mathematics as applied to engineering work. Standard specifications for Public Works construction. Pertinent Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Experience with modern office procedures, methods, AutoCAD or Civil3D, Microsoft Professional Office Suite and computer equipment.

Ability to: Develop and review civil engineering plans, designs, specifications, and bid documents.  Perform project management functions including developing and maintaining project schedules, budgets, and scopes. Prepare itemized construction quantities and cost estimates. Perform technical research, analyze engineering problems, and formulate reasonable and effective solutions.  Operate contemporary office and engineering software. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.  Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships and make required presentations to various commissions and boards including the Santa Barbara Planning Commission and the Architectural Board of Review.  

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES

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:

Experience:
Project Engineer I: Some civil engineering experience is desirable.

Project Engineer II: Minimum two (2) years of professional civil engineering experience of an increasingly responsible nature (independently managing projects, consultants, etc.).  This position is eligible for 5% Registration pay for Professional Engineer registration.

Education and/or Training:
 Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field.

License, Certificate and/or Other Requirements:

Possession of an appropriate, valid Certificate of Registration as an Engineer in Training in California is desirable.

It is important that your application and supplemental questionnaire show all the relevant education, training, and experience you possess which qualifies you for this position. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and the most qualified candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Be sure to be thorough in your responses. Statements such as “See application”, “Extensive Experience”, or "See Resume" are not an acceptable substitute for a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.  

The selection process may consist of an application screening, written exam, computer skills exam and/or an oral interview. The successful candidate's employment history will be thoroughly evaluated prior to appointment.

There are currently two (2) vacancies within the Engineering Division of Public Works Department.

The Project Engineer classification is scheduled to receive a 4% salary increase effective April 1, 2026.

Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application.  Please check your email and spam regularly throughout the recruitment process. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

OPEN & CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT: Because this recruitment is open and continuous, applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. The filing period for an open and continuous recruitment may be closed at any time. FOR FIRST CONSIDERATION CITY APPLICATION AND RESPONSES TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:30 PM ON THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026.

Salary : $108,599 - $145,123