Senior Civil Engineer - Water

Applications are accepted exclusively through the City of Ventura Career Site:

www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs. Submissions through other websites or methods will not be accepted.

Pay & Benefits

Whether you're starting your career journey or seeking new opportunities, we welcome all and offer:

• Competitive pay and benefits
• Strong support for professional development
• Flexible schedules (9/80, 4/10), including hybrid options (Select positions and with Department approval)
• Eligibility as a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer

Salary Range (DOQ):

• Senior Civil Engineer - $115,319.78 - $154,530.48 Annually DOQ

About the Opportunity

The City of Ventura is seeking a qualified Senior Civil Engineer to join the Public Works Department. As a key member of the team, this position will report directly to the Engineering Design Division’s Principal Civil Engineer. The Senior Civil Engineer will lead the Water and Wastewater Design Section, overseeing the work of two to three Assistant/Associate Civil Engineers. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in civil engineering, particularly in water and wastewater systems, and will be excited to contribute to Ventura's diverse portfolio of infrastructure projects that support the City's utilities and overall community development.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced professional to lead complex, impactful projects, and shape the future of Ventura’s water and wastewater infrastructure. As a Senior Civil Engineer, you will play a critical role in delivering the City’s 5-year Capital Improvement Program, ensuring the continued success of Ventura’s water and wastewater systems. The City’s Public Works Department has maintained American Public Works Association (APWA) accreditation since 2014, underscoring its commitment to industry best practices, continuous improvement, and enhancing the community.

The Senior Civil Engineer is distinguished from the Civil Engineer class by the greater degree of independence exercised in accomplishing the work, by the level and complexity of the assignments and the supervision of registered or non-registered engineers. Learn more about the distinguishing characteristics of the Senior Civil Engineer levels on the job description here.

About the Department

The Engineering Design Division of Ventura’s Public Works Department manages the planning, design, and delivery of the City’s Council-approved 5-year Capital Improvement Program. The division provides professional engineering services for projects that improve streets, water, wastewater, storm drains, public buildings, and parks. The department has been APWA-accredited since 2014 and utilizes innovative project management tools, including Trimble Unity Construct and Workday, to ensure efficiency and quality in all public works projects.

Key Responsibilities

Depending on assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Lead Major Engineering Projects: Plan, develop, coordinate, and direct large-scale engineering projects, performing complex engineering work in the planning and design of public works infrastructure, particularly related to water and wastewater systems.
• Project Management: Manage multiple concurrent projects, ensuring that timelines, budgets, and quality standards are met. Monitor progress, adjust schedules as needed, and prepare comprehensive engineering reports and project updates.
• Capital Improvement & Budgeting Support: Assist the Principal Civil Engineer in the development and oversight of the Capital Improvement Program, including land development initiatives and related budget preparation.
• Fee Development & Standardization: Develop permit fees, update construction standards, and ensure adherence to best practices for public works projects.
• Design Oversight & Quality Control: Review, plan check, and oversee engineering designs, drawings, specifications, and cost estimates for various public works projects, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
• Preconstruction Planning: Review and interpret construction documents, conduct preconstruction activities, and ensure that all project requirements and specifications are clearly understood and followed.
• Permitting & Interagency Coordination: Work closely with other government agencies to process permits and ensure coordination of activities across multiple entities.
• Staff Supervision & Development: Lead, supervise, and evaluate the performance of assigned engineering staff, including professional and paraprofessional engineers, technicians, and support staff. Assign work, review deliverables, and provide training and mentoring to ensure the team meets high technical and performance standards.
• Land Development Impact Analysis: Review land development projects to assess their impact on public right-of-way, utilities, and overall infrastructure, ensuring compliance with City standards and regulations.
• Condition Development for Land Projects: Develop and enforce conditions for land development projects, ensuring that they meet public infrastructure requirements and align with the City’s long-term planning objectives.
• Additional Responsibilities: Perform other duties as assigned, providing technical expertise and support as needed across a variety of engineering and public works tasks.

The Ideal Candidate – Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Expertise in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure: Extensive experience in the design, planning, and implementation of water and wastewater systems, with a strong understanding of best practices, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies in the field.
• Proven Leadership and Supervision Skills: Demonstrated success in leading and mentoring a team of engineers and technical staff, with a track record of fostering collaboration, driving team performance, and ensuring project success.
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication abilities, with the capacity to clearly convey complex technical information to diverse audiences, including stakeholders, team members, and community groups.
• Passion for Public Service: A deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Ventura residents through public works projects that improve infrastructure, promote sustainability, and support community well-being. A collaborative approach to problem-solving and working with various departments and stakeholders is key to success in this role.

Minimum Qualifications – Required

A combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or a related field and four years of professional Civil Engineering experience which includes some project management experience, and one year in a lead capacity, preferably with a public agency.

License: Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid class C California driver's license.

Certificate: Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California is required at time of appointment.

How to Apply & Selection Process

Submit your online City job application and supplemental questionnaire by the filing deadline. Resumes may be attached but will not replace a completed application or supplemental questionnaire. All communication regarding your application will be via email, so please check your inbox regularly and ensure your contact information is current.

Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed weekly, and candidates are encouraged to apply for immediate consideration. Open until filled.

The Eligibility List established for this classification may be used to fill other regular and temporary vacancies at the discretion of the City.

Additional Information

To learn more about the City’s hiring process, visit the City of Ventura Hiring Process page.

Questions? Contact the Recruitment Team:

recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov

(805) 654-7802

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if you need an accommodation in a selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing by the final filing date of the position you are interested in. The Human Resources address is: 501 Poli Street, Room 210, Ventura, CA 93001, (805) 654-7853, e-mail: recruitment@cityofventura.ca.gov.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to attract qualified applicants from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create an environment that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our workforce. We welcome you to join our team!