Senior Civil Engineer​/Managing Engineer

Description

Do you have a passion for leading Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects and collaborating with diverse consultants and contractors? The City of La Quinta is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Civil Engineer/Managing Engineer to join our Public Works/Engineering Department.

This position will lead the Engineering CIP Division, guiding complex engineering functions and overseeing major projects that drive the City’s growth and sustainability.

If you are a results‑driven professional with the expertise and dedication to shape the future of our community, we encourage you to apply today!

• Acts as the City’s primary project manager for CIP projects, including high‑profile and complex projects; prepares and monitors schedules, activities, specifications, and budgets; reviews, investigates, and provides direction on technical issues; approves change orders; performs project close‑out activities. Reviews and approves RFPs and contracts. Makes recommendations for vendors to executive management.
• Administers and monitors the division’s budget and contracts, including allocating resources and approving expenditures.
• Attends required meetings with the department director, city manager, other city departments, regulatory entities, public boards, and commissions; provides responsible staff assistance to executive management.
• Creates and implements Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to define engineering and CIP operations and processes and streamline communication and roles.
• Leads the construction and inspections team to develop a comprehensive construction management program. Guides decisions on inspection levels and standards, as well as staffing.
• Manages consultants and internal staff assigned to projects and division operations; ensures efficiency, clarity of roles, and quality outcomes. Establishes CIP project delivery priorities and ensures compliance with municipal, state, and federal regulations. Evaluates consultant and staff performance in project delivery.
• Provides technical guidance, expertise, and support on CIP engineering phases and topics. Acts as a licensed professional engineer for the department, enhancing professional capacity and credibility. Conducts special studies, analyses, and projects within the division.
• Supervises staff typically through subordinate supervisors, including recruitment, training, creating and approving staffing schedules, assigning and reviewing work, conducting performance appraisals, recommending disciplinary actions, and facilitating meetings with staff.
• Supports department leadership in cross‑functional projects and department strategy, policy development, and planning. Represents engineering interests in interdepartmental meetings and with external agencies.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in engineering and eight (8) years of civil engineering experience, including supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the job’s essential duties.

• Valid Class C California Driver’s License.
• Professional Engineer (PE) License.

• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Budgetary principles.
• Business administration principles.
• Civil engineering, construction, and survey principles and methods.
• Contract administration and performance monitoring.
• GIS and CAD applications and systems.
• Managerial principles.
• Modern office procedures and equipment.
• Municipal development processes and programs.
• Negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Procurement principles and practices.
• Program development, administration, and regulations.
• Project management principles and methods.
• Research methods, program analysis, and report preparation.
• Supervisory principles.
• Technical report writing.

• Analyzing problems, identifying solutions, and making decisions.
• Applying local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Budget management.
• Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
• C…