Assistant Engineer I/II

This position involves professional engineering work across design, plan review, site investigations, field inspections, construction, and related activities for public facilities, public infrastructure, water resources, community development, and traffic projects.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the preparation of plans and specifications for design, construction, and maintenance of traffic systems, streets, wastewater collection, storm drains, potable water, recycled water systems, facilities, and related public works projects, depending on assignment.
• Coordinate assigned activities with other City departments, divisions and sections, and with outside agencies; provide information over the counter and by telephone.
• Perform moderately difficult calculations and prepare estimates of time and material costs.
• Respond to inquiries and complaints from the public, developers, engineers, contractors, other city departments, utility agencies, and various other sources.
• Coordinate review, approval, and construction of projects with staff, other departments, 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; participate in the selection and direction of engineering contract professionals; coordinate support services such as survey crews, engineering technicians, and field crews.
• Utilize computer applications related to the work.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• At the Assistant Engineer II level, may act as project manager on limited design and construction contracts, including preparing progress reports, and recommending progress payments and change orders as necessary; administer a wide variety of construction contracts.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering or a related field.
• Experience: Assistant Engineer I – experience in engineering work is desirable; Assistant Engineer II – two years of professional civil or traffic engineering experience equivalent to Assistant Engineer I with the City of Petaluma.
• Certifications/Licenses: Engineer-In-Training certificate is desirable.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance: Choice of CalPERS health plans; City covers about 95% of the Bay Area Kaiser premium for employees and eligible dependents, or Medical Cash Back if covered elsewhere.
• Dental & Vision: Coverage for employees and eligible family members, paid by the City.
• Life & Disability: 1.5x annual compensation up to $200,000, with option to purchase additional coverage; Long-Term Disability up to 60% of current monthly salary after eligibility requirements are met.
• Employee Assistance Program: Support and benefits for you and eligible family members, funded by the City.
• Wellness Benefit: $500 annual allowance (subject to annual budget approval).
• CalPERS Retirement: 2% at 60 for classic members; 2% at 62 for PEPRA members.
• Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation in three plans.
• Vacation: 80 hours, increasing with years of service; up to 5 years of prior service credit toward accrual rate.
• Sick Leave: 96 hours.
• Holidays: 13 fixed holidays.
• Personal Leave: 20 hours per fiscal year.
• Paid Parental Leave: Up to 8 weeks of paid time for qualifying family bonding.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Employer participation in the program.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• The role frequently requires sitting for extended periods to read, write, and communicate, with occasional field investigations and operation of standard office equipment such as blueprint machines, photocopiers, and computer terminals.
• Occasional lifting and moving up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and color vision.