Salary: $86,340.80 - $111,467.20 Annually Location : County of San Diego, CA Job Type: Regular - Full time Job Number: 25361506 Department: Public Works, Dept of, Road Division: Engineering Services-Rf Opening Date: 08/29/2025 Closing Date: Continuous Job Summary The County of San Diego invites your interest Excellent entry level professional opportunity ASSISTANT ENGINEER Interviews will take place on an ongoing basis.Future Salary Increases:** June 2026 - 8.76% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + 2.9% Market Adjustment + 2.36% Internal Alignment Increase) ** June 2027 - 8.26% increase to base pay (3% Across-the- Board + 2.9% Market Adjustment + 2.36% Internal Alignment Increase) The following are additional pay incentives and premiums that are available for those who are eligible: ** 5% Engineer Premium (applied to time worked) ***This hard to recruit position qualifies for the Employee Referral Reward Program. If a current County of San Diego employee referred you to apply for this position, please indicate the employee's name on your job application in the space provided. *** The County of San Diego is currently accepting job applications for Assistant Engineer, an excellent entry level professional job that offers career development and growth opportunities. This eligible list will be used to fill immediate and future vacancies in the Department of Public Worksand Planning & Development Services (click on the links to learn more about the departments). You are invited to apply for Assistant Engineer; if selected, you will be an integral part of the department's mission. The departments are located at the County Operations Center, a modern 44-acre regional complex in Kearney Mesa. The Operations Center includes 18 structures and houses 19 departments, including an employee gym/workout center. IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
- Demonstrate a high degree of motivation and willingness to learn
- Demonstrate a strong willingness to continually learn and grow professionally
- Maintain a professional perspective and objective demeanor when varied situations occur
- Review and handle complex projects involving several functional groups
- Communicate effectively in verbal and written form
- Good listener
- Learn and understand the perspectives of others, and embrace diversity and inclusiveness
- Demonstrate proven professional level experience as a civil engineer
- Demonstrate good interpersonal and teamwork skills, including building relationships and collaborating with others in order to keep projects moving in a positive direction
If you believe that you possess these qualities, then the County of San Diego would be an ideal place for your talent and career growth. The County of San Diego has a great culture that values collaboration and teamwork. This position itself is an entry-level class in the Civil Engineer series with a career ladder that includes Assistant Engineer, Civil Engineer, and Senior Civil Engineer. The career ladder offers a great opportunity for professional growth and development within the series and the County of San Diego. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW) The Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for maintaining reliable County infrastructure which includes County maintained roads, traffic safety devices, flood control, County airports, and water/wastewater pipelines and facilities. In addition, DPW programs include traffic engineering, land development; design engineering and construction management; land surveying and map processing; cartographic services; watershed quality and flood protection; environmental services; solid waste planning and diversion; closed landfills; wastewater and water systems management; and permanent road divisions. To ensure these critical services are provided, the Department of Public Works has 570 staff and a budget of $354.1 million. If you are the selected candidate for Assistant Engineer in DPW, you could be assigned to the Transportation Division which includes Field and Traffic Engineering; the Engineering Services Division which includes Construction Engineering/Material Lab, Wastewater Management, and Design Engineering/Capital Improvement Projects; and the Land Development Division which includes Private Development Construction Inspection, Watershed Protection, and Flood Control. You will also work collaboratively with the rest of the County, other agencies, and the community to ensure adequacy of design and conformance with ordinances, laws, and standard engineering practices and principles, and the needs of the community. PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES (PDS) Through operational excellence and attention to customer service, Planning & Development Services (PDS) strives to balance community, economic and environmental interests to ensure the highest quality of life for the public of San Diego County. PDS is responsible for long range land use planning, including the County's General Plan, community plans, and Zoning Ordinance, which determine how our communities will grow. The department analyzes privately initiated land use projects to ensure compliance with land use regulations and advises the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission on the projects. Department programs, such as building plan review, building inspection and code compliance help maintain public health and safety. If you are the selected candidate for Assistant Engineer in PDS, you will review grading and improvement plans, technical studies, and construction documents for various public and private projects within the County of San Diego. You will also work collaboratively with a team to ensure adequacy of design and conformance with ordinances, laws, and standard engineering practices and principles. HIRING PROCESS AND TIMELINE:
- Job Offer and Background Process begins after interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
- Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
- Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 1. A current state issued Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) certificate, and 1 (one) year of experience in civil or structural engineering; OR 2. A bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency with coursework approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) by the time of appointment. Note: To qualify for #2 above, applicants must be currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program with coursework approved by ABET. Please be sure to attach a copy of your college official transcript, unofficial transcript, diploma, letter of verification, or foreign equivalence certification during Step 1 of the online application submittal process. Click for more details about the duties and requirements for this position. The Department of Human Resources removes personally identifiable information from all recruitments. This practice, called Blind Applicant Screening, hides a candidate's personal information that could influence or bias a hiring decision. Personal information includes name, phone number, address, gender, age and race. This process helps contribute to a fair and equitable selection process leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce. CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT As part of the County of San Diego's pre-employment process, prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre-employment medical screening prior to beginning County employment. Additional types of background investigations may be conducted based on the job-related activities of the position. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening. EVALUATION PROCESS The names of qualified applicants will be placed on a six (6) month eligible list based on scores received during the evaluation of information contained in their employment and supplemental application. Please ensure all information is complete and accurate as the responses you provide on the supplemental application form will be reviewed using an automated evaluation system. If you are successful in the initial screening process, your application will be reviewed individually to confirm that the information you provided is accurate and qualifying. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, on a case-by-case basis. As an employer of over 19,000 employees, the County of San Diego is an organization committed to veteran hiring, retention, and professional development. We recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans and value the unique expertise and leadership qualities they bring to our workforce. We strive to provide veterans with the resources and tools necessary to maximize their employment opportunities, and to assist veterans with their transition into civilian life by applying the valuable skills, knowledge and training acquired in service to positions and career paths at all levels within our large organization. Click on the resource links below to learn more about how the County of San Diego supports its veterans. The County of San Diego offers preferential credits for military service to assist qualified applicants in transitioning from military to civilian careers with the County of San Diego. Do you need assistance translating your military experience into civilian experience? This tool can help! The County of San Diego and its employees embrace the vision of: a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Our values include: integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. Each of which are infused throughout our operations. While also embracing a mission of strengthening our communities with innovative, inclusive, and data driven services through a skilled and supported workforce. Click here for more information on our as well as our commitment to serve everyone, to build a that will create a County that works for all. Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers. The term public employees includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their employer or by law. The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because our diverse workforce is our greatest asset and our customers are our number one priority. Click here to see the Non-Management Benefits Summary 01
PLEASE READ JOB SUMMARY AND REQUIREMENTS BEFORE COMPLETING. If you do not meet the minimum qualifications for this recruitment, then your job application will not be accepted. Please be sure to answer the following questions in a thorough and complete manner, as your responses may be used to determine your overall score. Note that if you are invited to a selection interview(s) by a department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification. Please do
NOT indicate See Resume or See Application as these are not acceptable answers.
Do you understand this information? 02
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Do you possess a current state issued Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) certificate?
NOTE: If you respond
YES to this question, then please attach a copy of your EIT certificate during Step 1 of the online application submittal process.
03
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Do you possess or are currently enrolled in a program to earn a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a certified foreign studies equivalency with coursework approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)?Note: To qualify with your education if you have not yet earned your degree, you must be currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program with coursework approved by ABET and must be in your final semester.
NOTE: If you respond
YES to this question, please ensure a copy of your college official transcript, unofficial transcript, diploma, letter of verification, or foreign equivalence certification is attached in your master profile or submit during Step 1 of your application.
04
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSDo you have at least one (1) year of experience in civil or structural engineering?
05 If you responded
YES to Question #4, Please provide a detailed description of your experience in civil or structural engineering. Please include the following information: 1) Job title(s) 2) Employer name(s) 3) Employment dates (month/year) 4) Brief description of your duties in meeting the minimum qualifications. In order to receive credit, please answer the question thoroughly. Your work experience MUST be verifiable in the employment history section of this application. If you do not have this experience, indicate N/A . 06 Please check the box or boxes that accurately reflect your work experience for a public or private entity.
- I have professional level experience as a Civil Engineer
- I have paid work experience serving as a Student Worker or intern in the civil engineering field
- I have unpaid internship or volunteer experience in the civil engineering field
- None of the above.
07 If you checked at least one experience area on
Question #6 above, then please check the civil engineering discipline or specialty that accurately reflects your experience. Check all that apply
- Construction Contract Administration
- Construction Inspection
- Land Development
- Pavement Design & Management
- Structural & Bridge Design
- Highway Design
- Review (Plan Check) of Engineering Plans, Calculations and Reports
- Traffic Engineering
- Water, Wastewater, Wet Utility
- Flood Control
- General Contracting
- None of the above
08 If you checked at least one civil engineering experience area on
Question #6 and at least one discipline or specialty on Question #7. Please include the following information: 1) Job title(s) 2) Employer name(s) 3) Employment dates (month/year) 4) Brief description of your duties selected in Question #6 and #7 In order to receive credit, please answer the question thoroughly. Your work experience MUST be verifiable in the employment history section of this application. If you do not have this experience, indicate N/A . 09 Were you referred by a County employee to apply for this position? Note: effective September 9, 2022, County employees are eligible to earn cash awards for any candidates they refer to hard to recruit positions that are then hired.
10 If you responded Yes to the above question, in the space provided please list the name of the County employee that referred you. 11 Where did you first hear about this job opportunity?
- San Diego County website
- Governmentjobs.com
- Veteran Outreach / FFSC
- Mana de San Diego
- Family, Neighbors, Friends
- County Employee Resources Group
- College/University Career Site
- LinkedIn
- County Social Media
- Voice and Viewpoint
- Industry or other similar publication, resource, or website
- Other
- Job Fair/Career Event
Required Question
