Utilities Development Services Engineer; Water-Gas-Wastewater

Development Services Engineer

The City of Palo Alto is the only city in California that owns and operates full-service municipal utilities, providing electric, fiber-optic, natural gas, water, and wastewater services to the community. City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) delivers these essential services through five divisions, including Engineering. This position is within the Water, Gas, and Wastewater (WGW) Engineering group.

The Development Services (DS) Engineer is part of the WGW Development Services team and plays a key role in reviewing complex development and high-density housing projects. Working closely with developers, the City's Planning and Development Department, and other City departments, this position evaluates proposed developments to help ensure the City's water, gas, and wastewater infrastructure can safely and reliably serve future growth.

We are looking for a candidate with strong interpersonal skills who can effectively engage with our in-house staff and a diverse range of utility customers. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of WGW utility standards, rules and regulations, utility construction practices, and city permitting processes. Practical problem-solving abilities are essential to support WGW Development Services in a dynamic environment, where WGW Engineering must closely coordinate with WGW Operations, Utility Electric and Fiber Systems, as well as Public Works Stormwater Systems.

This role requires good communication skills, the ability to handle fast-paced development demands, and the capability to collaborate seamlessly with engineers, operations staff, and private developers.

The ideal candidate possesses the following attributes:

• B.S. in Civil or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited institution
• Skilled in municipal water, gas, and wastewater utility systems
• Experience in a Development Services environment
• Knowledgeable about the California Building and Mechanical Codes as they relate to new development
• Experienced with Accela or similar city or county permitting software
• An effective verbal and written communicator, able to collaborate with WGW Engineering, WGW Operations, and private developers
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced private-development setting, including direct interaction at the City's Development Center

Compensation (SEIU):
Comprehensive compensation plan. To learn more, .

Benefits:
The City offers a fantastic benefits package including:

• Schedule:
  
  This is a full-time, in-person position following a 9/80 schedule with a regular start time of 6:30 a.m.
• Professional development:
  Tuition reimbursement, leadership training, and career growth opportunities.
• Education benefits:
  Potential enrollment for dependents in the Palo Alto Unified School District (pilot program, subject to change).
• Childcare support: $10,000 in childcare subsidies (pilot program, subject to change).
• Commute benefits:
  Incentives for walking, biking and taking transit to work. The City of Palo Alto participates in the Clipper Bay Pass program (Employee Cost: $5 per month).
• Defined-Benefit Retirement Plan: with competitive pension benefits.

This is a continuous recruitment and may remain open until the position is filled.

First review of applications will take place during the week of July 13, 2026.

Subsequent reviews will be conducted every two weeks thereafter.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union position (SEIU).