Summary/Class Characteristics

Associate/Senior Civil Engineer

The City of Petaluma is seeking Associate and Senior Civil Engineers to join its expanding Public Works Department. These positions present a unique opportunity to lead high-impact capital improvement projects in one of the Bay Area’s most vibrant and community-focused municipalities. The City is seeking accomplished professionals who are committed to engineering excellence and public service, and who are driven to designing and implementing projects that advance sustainability, innovation, and public safety.

This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close at any time. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early for first consideration. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. The selected candidate will be hired at the Associate Engineer or Senior Civil Engineer level, depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected candidate(s).

SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE

• SALARY RANGE : Associate Engineer: $122.304.00 - 148,657.60 annually (+2% COLA in July 2027)
  Senior Civil Engineer: $134,534.40 - $163,550.40 annually (+2% COLA in July 2027)
  
• FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING:
  • MEDICAL INSURANCE: Choice of a variety of CalPERS Health Plans. City pays ~95% of the Bay Area Kaiser premium for employee & eligible dependents; or alternative option to receive Medical Cash Back (if you have medical coverage elsewhere). Please see the 2026 Health Plan Contribution Memo
  • DENTAL & VISION INSURANCE: Coverage for employees & eligible family members, paid for by the City.
  • LIFE INSURANCE: 1.5x annual compensation up to maximum of $200,000. Option to purchase additional insurance. Long-Term Disability up to 60% of your current monthly salary after eligibility requirements are met and subject to maximum amounts.
  • EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Support and benefits, for you and eligible family members, paid for by the City.
  • WELLNESS BENEFIT: $500 annual allowance (is subject to the annual budget approval process and may change in the future.)
• FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE:
  • CALPERS RETIREMENT PACKAGE
    • 2% at 60 for classic CalPERS members
    • 2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members
  • DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Voluntary participation in your choice of three plans.
• FOR YOUR WORK / LIFE BALANCE (annual amounts):
  • Vacation: 80 Hours, increasing with years of service, up to 5 years service credit towards vacation accrual rate for prior qualifying employment.
  • Sick Leave: 96 hours
  • Administrative Leave: 80 hours (per fiscal year for the Senior Civil Engineer job classification)
  • Holidays: 13 fixed holidays
  • Personal Leave: 20 hours (per fiscal year)
• Other Exceptional Benefits:
  • Paid Parental Leave - up to 8 weeks of paid time for qualifying family bonding
  Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Employer
  
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Both job classifications are represented by the Petaluma Professional and Mid-Mangers Association (PPMMA). For the Associate Engineer classification, please visit the Unit 4 memorandum of understanding for additional details. For the Senior Civil Engineer position, please visit the Unit 9 memorandum of understanding for additional details.

For more information regarding the benefits associated with these positions, visit our website and look at the Employee Benefits page.

The full job description for Associate Engineer can be found here .

The full job description for Senior Civil Engineer can be found here .

Class Characteristics:

Associate Engineer

This is the journey-level class in the professional engineering series (Assistant Engineer I/II & Associate Engineer) requiring registration as a professional engineer. It is distinguished from the Assistant Engineer II by the assignment of the full range of professional engineering duties which include serving as project manager on assignments requiring considerable professional knowledge of engineering principles and technical engineering analysis, providing direction to engineering and technical personnel, and requiring registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) or as a Traffic Engineer (TE).

This class is distinguished from that of the higher-level Senior Civil Engineer and Senior Traffic Engineer in that the latter are the advanced journey level responsible for the more complex engineering duties and exercise direct supervision over assigned staff.

Senior Civil Engineer
The Senior Civil Engineer performs the most complex professional engineering work which requires a substantial level of professional training and experience. Incumbents are expected to exercise considerable discretion and independent judgment in the supervision, coordination, and prioritization of different projects within the area of responsibility as well as in providing direction and technical expertise in the more complex engineering assignments.

Duties

Associate Engineer

Participate in the preparation of plans and specifications for the design, construction, and maintenance of traffic systems, streets, wastewater collection, storm drains, potable water, recycled water systems, facilities, and/or related public works projects or traffic systems, depending on assignment.

Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments, divisions and sections, and with outside agencies; provide information over the counter and telephone.

Perform moderately difficult calculations and prepare estimates of time and material costs.

Respond to inquiries and complaints from members of the public, developers, engineers, contractors, other city departments, utility agencies, and various other sources.

Coordinatereview,approval,andconstructionofprojectswithstaff,otherdepartments,applicable outside agencies, and members of the public; may serve as the City's representative to other governmental agencies.

Maintain records, maps, plans, and files; research and prepare clear and concise technical reports as assigned.

Investigate field problems affecting property owners, contractors, and maintenance operations; order survey, mapping, and data collection.

Make field inspections and site investigations of engineering projects and perform engineering analysis and calculations as assigned.

Plan and conduct engineering studies, write clear and concise reports and plans with recommendations and conclusions, and make appropriate modifications as directed.

Make presentations and serve as staff support to City Council, commissions, and review boards as required or assigned.

May assist in the training and direction of professional and technical staff as assigned; participate in the selection and direction of engineering contract professionals; coordinate support services such as survey crew, engineering technicians, and field crews.

Utilize computer applications related to the work.

Direct the preparation of and review plans, designs, specifications, and other related documents.

Serve as project manager on design and construction contracts, including preparing progress reports, and recommending progress payments and change orders as necessary; administer a wide variety of construction contracts.

Perform technical analysis and design, project management, and construction administration; sign plans and drawings as the responsible project manager; may also stamp plans, specifications and documents as approved by their supervisor; manage technical programs and provide advice and technical support on related matters.

Research and recommend general civil administration policies and procedures; review policies and operating procedures for conformance to established standards; ensure the City’s compliance with various codes, and applicable laws; review operational conditions in the field.

Review engineering elements of environmental impact reports for compliance with city policies, rules, and regulations.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Senior Civil Engineer

Supervise and participate in plan review and permit programs, and private development review and inspection.

Make public presentations to the City Council, Planning Commission, other boards, and commissions and at community meetings.

Plan, design, and construct various capital improvement projects for water system infrastructure (tanks, pump stations, distribution lines), sewer system infrastructure (transmission lines, lift stations, force mains), storm system infrastructure (collection and treatment systems, streets and public right-of-way infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, airport facilities, parks and recreation facilities, and other City owned buildings and facilities.

Manage construction contract administration.

Supervise, train, and evaluate professional and technical staff.

Prepare and administer or assist in the preparation and administration of the section budget.

Review plans and estimates for construction prepared by private engineers.

Review and make recommendations on technical reports and studies.

Check computations and specified materials for accuracy and conformance within regulations.

Inspect project sites and City infrastructure including water, sewer, storm, streets, and other City facilities for operational integrity and to establish capital improvement projects.

Coordinate engineering and plan review related activities with other City departments, divisions, and sections and with outside agencies.

Obtain environmental compliance and permitting requirements for City capital improvement projects.

Research, interpret, and apply the City code, and federal and state laws and regulations related to public works, subdivisions, and building projects.

Interpret specifications and City policy and make change orders.

Participate in the selection and supervision of private professional engineers for the development of plans and specifications, studies, and reports.

Supervise, review, and participate in the preparation of environmental assessments and studies.

Supervise and participate in the development of plans, specifications, estimates, and work orders for the construction of public works and City projects.

Prepare reports and assist in the preparation of the capital improvement plan and budget.

Review subdivisions and development plans for compliance with City standards.

Sign and stamp civil engineering documents including various types of studies, reports, and construction documents such as specifications and improvement plans; this includes oversight, review, signing, and stamping documents prepared by CIP staff.

Serve as staff representative to a variety of City commissions, boards, and committees on engineering matters.

Prepare various applications for federal and state grants; initiate and conduct engineering planning studies to identify public works facility needs.

Participate in and direct efforts in the City’s Emergency Operations Center during emergency situations.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:

Associate Engineer & Senior Civil Engineer
Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field.

Associate Engineer

Experience:

Two years of professional civil or traffic engineering experience equivalent to Assistant Engineer II with the City of Petaluma. Experience in a municipal or public setting is desirable.

Certifications/Licenses

Civil Engineer Assignment

Registration as a Professional Engineer with good standing is required from any US state, or from any other country with comparable registration requirements as approved by the Director. Acquiring registration as a Professional Engineer in California is desirable, supported, and encouraged.

Traffic Engineer Assignment

Registration as a Traffic Engineer (TE) with good standing in the State of California is required.

Senior Civil Engineer

Experience:

Five years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge and abilities listed above, including supervisory experience.

Certifications/Licenses:

Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California with good standing is required.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for extended periods to read, write reports and talk or listen. The employee is occasionally required to conduct field investigations and operate standard office machines, (i.e. blueprint, photocopiers and computer terminals) and talk or listen. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and must operate an automobile to attend various meetings and workshops. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Petaluma offers a wide-ranging, comprehensive benefit package including CalPERS retirement, medical, dental, vision, life, LTD, etc. For moreinformation regarding the benefits associated with this position, visit our website: https://cityofpetaluma.org/employee-benefits-information/

Petaluma is Sonoma County’s second largest city, with a population of 61,000. Petaluma is the southern gateway to Sonoma County and just 32 miles north of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, conveniently located on Highway 101 at the east/west artery of Highway 116. Petaluma offers a wide array of attractions and points of interest to explore, including: a 150-year-old historic downtown, waterfront areas, charming historic homes and neighborhoods, a mixed-use theater district, a thriving restaurant scene, live music venues, a historical museum, an airport, a marina, numerous community parks, and golf courses.

The City of Petaluma is a full-service city with over 340 employees that provides essential city services such as public safety, infrastructure, water utilities, and development review throughout the City.