Assistant Engineer

Advance your career and shape the future of public infrastructure as an Assistant Engineer with the County of Sonoma!

Starting salary up to $67.64/hour ($141,172/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

Sonoma Public Infrastructure (SPI) is currently recruiting to fill a full-time position at either the Assistant Engineer or Engineer level. If you are interested in being considered at the Engineer level of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitment being conducted for each level.

Note: Possession of an Engineer-in-Training Certificate with the State of California is required for the Assistant Engineer level. If you have a valid license as a Professional Engineer issued by the State of California, you should apply to the Engineer recruitment.

At the County of Sonoma, Assistant Engineers work independently, perform complex calculations, site evaluations, and inspections. They perform a wide variety of field and office professional-level engineering work of average difficulty. They ensure plans and specifications are compliant with county codes, standards, and regulations. As a subject matter expert, they may train and assist staff. Within SPI, this Engineer will primarily focus on road repair designs, retaining walls, drainage improvements, and a variety of projects for the department. Additional responsibilities include:

Managing and overseeing diverse construction projects, including transportation facilities, traffic improvements, slope-stabilization and other infrastructure repairs, and community infrastructure improvements

Applying engineering judgment and construction-management expertise to review plans, specifications, cost estimates, schedules, constructability, and proposed field changes

Administering and overseeing construction contracts, including contractor coordination, progress meetings, submittals, requests for information, change orders, payment applications, claims, and project documentation

Monitoring project budgets and schedules, identifying risks or delays, and coordinating corrective actions to keep projects within approved scope, cost, and schedule

Conduct construction-site inspections to verify that work conforms to engineering plans, specifications, permit requirements, safety expectations, and applicable standards

Coordinating with design consultants, contractors, utility providers, regulatory agencies, resource agencies, and other County departments to resolve technical and construction-related issues

Supporting the planning, design, permitting, procurement, and delivery of transportation improvements

Supporting the planning and construction of stormwater infrastructure, drainage improvements, erosion-control measures, and flood-mitigation projects

Coordinating environmental reviews and permitting requirements while maintaining alignment with project objectives and construction schedules

The ideal candidate will possess one of more years of experience in engineering, the ability to shift gears quickly, and thrive in a fast-paced environment. In addition, you will possess intellectual curiosity, an interest in research, have a logical mindset, and possess many of the following:

Engineering knowledge relevant to the planning, design, construction, inspection, and maintenance of public infrastructure

Experience managing public works or civil construction projects through design, permitting, procurement, construction, and closeout

Knowledge of construction-management practices, including constructability review, cost estimating, scheduling, contract administration, change orders, payment applications, quality assurance, and risk management

Experience interpreting engineering plans, technical specifications, construction contracts, reports, and applicable codes and standards

Strong collaboration, negotiation, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skills

Experience coordinating consultants, contractors, inspectors, utility providers, regulatory agencies, and internal departments

Knowledge of federal, state, and local requirements applicable to publicly funded infrastructure projects, including permitting, procurement, documentation, reimbursement, and regulatory compliance

Experience with federally funded or reimbursable projects, particularly FEMA-related infrastructure repairs and hazard-mitigation projects, is highly desirable

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare technical documentation and explain engineering and construction matters to technical and nontechnical audiences

The ability to lead project meetings and hold consultants and contractors accountable for project requirements, schedule, quality, and deliverables

Assistant Engineers occasionally work in the evening, on weekends, and rarely on holidays. Emergency work may be required based on construction activities, public meetings, inspections, and project needs. Work is performed in both office and active construction-site environments. Field assignments may involve exposure to traffic, heavy equipment, noise, dust, uneven terrain, and inclement weather.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment

Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range

Career Advancement - With time and good performance, the opportunity for advancement to Engineer (up to $77.78/hour)

Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year

County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options

Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $1,500 and ongoing education/training opportunities

Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits

Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security

Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment

Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more

Student Loan Debt Relief – County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Western Counsel of Engineers Memorandum Of Understanding (WCE MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.