Senior Civil Engineer​/Managing Engineer

Join to apply for the SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER/MANAGING ENGINEER role at City of La Quinta

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. Under the direction of the Department Director, you will serve as the primary authority on capital projects, engineering standards, and consultant coordination, ensuring that every initiative reflects excellence, efficiency, and the long‑term vision for La Quinta’s infrastructure.

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, other 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.

The above duties are intended to represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the department’s business needs.

Education and Experience: 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.
• Procur…