Senior Engineer

Salary : $134,508.00 - $163,452.00 Annually Location : Vista City Hall - 200 Civic Center Drive Vista 92084, CA Job Type: Full-Time Job Number: 26-11-O Department: Engineering Opening Date: 02/02/2026 Closing Date: Continuous Bargaining Unit: MGCF Position Under direction, a Senior Engineer schedules, lays out, monitors, supervises, and participates in the work of professional, technical, and clerical staff assigned to the Engineering Department; performs highly complex public works civil engineering; represents the City in the administration of contracts and the enforcement of City engineering standards; and performs related work as required. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS Positions in this class serve as working supervisors and section heads over assigned personnel engaged in civil engineering work. Incumbents have responsibility to assign, schedule, and review work of subordinate staff while personally performing the more complex and responsible work of the unit. Positions in this class exercise supervision over other employees, making assignments, setting priorities, training, and reviewing the work of subordinates. Incumbents in this class have considerable independence in selecting work methods from a variety of standard methods or procedures. Incumbents are expected to resolve most engineering problems confronted through the application of judgment and professional knowledge/experience. Examples of Essential FunctionsEXAMPLES OF DUTIES Schedules, lays out, monitors, supervises, trains, and evaluates the work of assigned personnel engaged in civil engineering work; supervises the operation of an engineering section within the Engineering Department, involving development review, capital improvements, construction management, and inspection of public works improvements (such as streets, sewers,storm drains, and other structures and facilities); conducts plan checking, developer coordination and design review, construction administration, and public works inspections or review of private developer designs, traffic engineering, and special studies; assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of inspectors and other engineering personnel; develops public works requirements for private development; reviews and checks designs, plans, specifications, estimates, maps. and improvement plans on public works projects; prepares written staff reports for presentation to City Council; prepares resolutions and ordinances for City Council; coordinates and supervises traffic studies and design, including development of public works standards and specifications; prepares engineering studies and reports; receives and resolves difficult and unusual public complaints and requests, taking appropriate action; participates in right-of-way acquisition proceedings; consults with and aids other governmental agencies in engineering matters; instructs inspectors in preparation of contract change orders; analyzes design and construction conflicts and resolves conflicts when possible; composes correspondence to bonding companies, contractors, and developers; conducts traffic surveys and makes relevant calculations; prepares specifications for City work projects; evaluates bids received for conformance with the contract documents and recommends construction contract award to the City Council or City Manager; attends and participates in conferences and meetings; operates City vehicles; and performs related work as required. Minimum QualificationsLICENSE REQUIRED Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers. KNOWLEDGE OF: Street maintenance practices and procedures; Principles, practices, techniques and terminology of civil engineering as applied to public works; Applicable Federal, State, and municipal codes and regulations; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; Principles of supervision and training; Appropriate safety precautions and procedures; Advanced mathematics, including calculus; Budgeting and accounting methods; Advanced record keeping methods. ABILITY TO; Read and interpret technical engineering documents; Read and interpret blueprints, plot maps, and technical drawings; Develop and monitor project budgets; Analyze problems and prepare written and oral reports; Understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions; Establish and maintain advanced filing systems; Supervise, and plan and schedule work assignments for subordinates; Understand and carry out oral and written instructions; Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work. QUALIFICATIONS Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates an ability to perform the duties of the position. A typical qualifying entrance background is completion of college level course work leading to completion of a major in civil engineering, architecture or a closely related field; and working supervisory experience performing and supervising professional, civil engineering design, plan checking, contract administration or related public works engineering; or experience at or equivalent to the level of Associate Engineer in the City of Vista, wherein the incumbent has acquired the knowledge and abilities listed above. Other InformationPHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this class, the employee is regularly required to communicate effectively verbally and in a written manner; observe and interpret data, and analyze and solve problems. The employee must be able to work indoor office environments/outdoor in the field environments (depending on position). The employee may have to move up to 50 lbs. and transport up to 10 lbs. objects frequently (depending on position). Vision abilities required by this job include the ability to detect, determine, perceive, identify, estimate, and assess work related objects and/or work products based on position specific designated tasks. The employee may be required to work overtime to complete assignments. Must be able to work a flexible schedule. Use of personal vehicle during employment may also be required. Travel required to within and out of City to attend periodic evening meetings. APPLICATION PROCEDURE A City application form and supplemental questionnaire MUST be submitted and received by the closing date. Application materials may be obtained from the City of Vista, Human Resources Office, 200 Civic Center Drive, Vista, CA 92084 OR applicants can apply online at Telephone: (760) 726-1340 Fax: (760) 639-6146. SELECTION PROCESS Candidates must clearly demonstrate through their application materials that they meet the employment standards outlined above. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Examinations for the position may consist of any combination of written, performance, and oral exams to evaluate the applicant's skill, training, and experience for the position. Successful applicants will be placed on an eligibility list. The City may also merge lists. The selected candidate(s) must successfully complete pre-employment clearances which may include a physical, drug screen, and fingerprinting. The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice. The City of Vista is an Equal Opportunity employer. Veterans welcome! SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:Recruitment Open Until Filled Initial Application Review - Week of February 23rd Please note, all dates are subject to change. VACATION 125 Hrs. - 1-5 years of continuous service 160 Hrs. - 6-9 years 180 Hrs. - 10-20 years 200Hrs. - 21+ ADMIN. LEAVE 70 Hours annually (Management) SICK LEAVE 96 hours per year HOLIDAYS Employees working the 9/80 flex schedule are entitled to 99 hours of holiday leave per fiscal year. INSURANCE Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance programs. A portion of the employee's and dependent's premiums are paid by the City. WELLNESS PROGRAMMING The City offers comprehensive wellness programming to its employees including onsite wellness facilities and onsite wellness sessions. TUITION REIMBURSEMENT The City's Tuition Reimbursement Plan may assist employees in paying the cost of approved books and tuition for classes which relate to their job. RETIREMENT Depending on eligibility, based on CalPERS criteria, new employees will be provided the 3% @ 60 Plan or newly established 2% @ 62 Plan. Employees currently contribute the entire employee contribution amount of 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security, but employees must be enrolled in the Medicare portion. Actual benefits will depend on date of hire and may differ from the information listed. Part-time employee benefits may be prorated. 01 ATTENTION APPLICANTS: Copying and pasting duplicate answers and stating "See resume" and/or "see previous answer" are not acceptable to the questions below. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate and understand that the statements made in this supplemental questionnaire will be considered part of and subject to the terms of my employment application for this position. Please acknowledge your understanding by selecting "Yes". Yes No 02 Which best describes your level of education? High School Some College Associate's Degree Bachelor's Degree Master's Degree 03 Do you possess a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers? Please check one. Yes No 04 What certifications do you hold relevant to Civil Engineering? Please list here and attach to your application. 05 Describe your experience and level of involvement, if any, performing design and drafting work for any of the following types of plans: street improvements, storm drains, grading, erosion control, structural, and any other civil engineering plans. 06 Describe your experience supervising staff in civil engineering. Please include your experience in staff development and/or training. Required Question

Created: 2026-03-04