The County of San Mateo Planning & Building Department is seeking well-qualified candidates for the position of Assistant / Associate Drainage Engineer.

Under general supervision, perform a variety of professional civil engineering services in such areas as planning and design of private and public planning and building projects, including residential and commercial buildings, parks, and landscaping projects.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Assistant Engineer is the entry or trainee-level class of this series. Under immediate supervision, employees perform first-level professional civil engineering field and office work while acting in a trainee capacity in connection with the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of a wide variety of private and public planning and building projects. This class is flexibly staffed with an Associate Engineer, and incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining experience and demonstrating necessary proficiency.

Associate Engineer is the journey level class of this series, responsible for routine office or field projects. Employees are expected to be fully competent to independently perform a full range of duties requiring a high level of technical expertise and some periodic supervisory responsibilities. Employees may also serve as a resident engineer on construction projects.

The ideal candidate will possess and have knowledge of:

• Stormwater management and treatment practices, including green infrastructure and low-impact development measures to reduce runoff and prevent stormwater pollution.
• C.3 and C.6 requirements of the Municipal Regional Stormwater NPDES Permit.
• Possession of a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California is desirable.

NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.

Examples Of Duties

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Gather, compile, and compute data using engineering, drafting, and calculating instruments and techniques to prepare designs, plans, estimates, technical reports, and specifications for the construction, alterations, maintenance, and operations of a variety of engineering projects.
• Conduct drainage plan reviews on planning and building permit applications.
• Serve as resident engineer on routine construction projects.
• Perform duties as the chief of party engaged in making surveys.
• Prepare designs, plans, and specifications for routine projects.
• Assist in drafting and preparing instructions for bidders, proposals, affidavits, bonds, specifications, change orders, and other documents and reports involved in the construction of engineering projects.
• Ensure County compliance with the Municipal Regional Stormwater Permit issued by the Regional Water Quality Control Board.
• Update ordinances, regulations, and policy manuals as needed to comply with changing State, regional, and local requirements.
• Inspect construction projects for conformance with specifications, safety standards, and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Conduct economic cost and quantity estimates for assigned projects.
• Supervise subordinate personnel in a variety of capacities.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

Assistant Engineer: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering OR twenty-four (24) semester units in civil engineering courses and three years of civil engineering experience in office, field or survey party work OR possession of an Engineer in Training Certificate.

Associate Engineer: Two years of professional civil engineering experience which has included field and office work in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of a variety of civil engineering projects.

Licensure/Certification:
Some positions require possession of a class C California driver's license or equivalent.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
Application Screening: July 20 - 24, 2026
Civil Service Panel Interview: August 5 and/ or 6, 2026

Analyst: Sedrick Dixon

Work Location: In person