Associate Engineer

The City of Novato is seeking a knowledgeable and motivated Associate Engineer to join our Public Works Department. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional to play a key role in the planning, design, and delivery of a wide range of public infrastructure projects that directly serve our community.

We are looking for a detail-oriented and collaborative team member who brings strong technical skills and sound judgment to their work. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in engineering principles and practices, including public infrastructure design, construction management, and review of private development plans. Experience with budgeting, environmental compliance, and coordination with agencies, consultants, and the public is highly desirable.

This position offers the chance to manage meaningful capital improvement projects, oversee consultant contracts, and contribute to efforts that enhance the safety, functionality, and sustainability of Novato’s streets, drainage systems, and other critical infrastructure. The successful candidate will enjoy a balance of field work, project management, and community engagement, along with the opportunity to present projects before decision‑making bodies such as the Planning Commission and City Council.

Novato values innovation, service, and professionalism. If you’re a dedicated engineer who wants to make a tangible impact through public service and infrastructure excellence, we invite you to apply and grow your career with us.

• 9/80 work schedule, every other Friday off
• Accrue vacation at a rate of 80 hours per year, to start
• Provided with 40 hours of sick leave upon hire
• 14 paid holidays per year
• Monthly health premium paid by the City up to $2,893.54, depending on enrollment
• Free parking on site
• Office is within walking distance of terrific restaurants, shopping, and the downtown SMART station

To perform a variety of responsible professional engineering work involving the planning, permitting, design, and construction of a variety of capital improvement projects and/or private development projects, from conception to completion; to oversee, review and approve the work of outside consultants; to perform professional engineering studies; and to receive, research and respond to inquiries from the public and outside agencies.

This is the journey level in the professional Engineer series and is distinguished from the Assistant level by the ability to perform the full range of duties assigned with only occasional instruction or assistance as unusual or unique situations arise and by the requirement to possess registration as a Professional Engineer.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Civil Engineer in that the latter is the advanced journey and performs the more complex professional engineering duties which includes providing direct supervision to lower level professional and technical staff.

Receives direction from a Senior Civil Engineer or other assigned supervisor or manager; may provide technical or functional supervision to technical staff.

Example of Duties:

• Prepare plans and specifications for the design, construction, and maintenance/operation of a variety of public works facilities and projects; provide estimates in connection with the construction or maintenance of a variety of engineering projects to include street lighting, street resurfacing, general street improvements, drainage and other capital improvement and public works projects as assigned; and ensure conformance to City standards and practices.
• Research project design requirements and perform related calculations; conduct plan checks to ensure contractor compliance with City and various environmental regulatory standards; prepare time and material cost estimates, especially as related to existing or anticipated project budgets.
• Review and process private development plans for subdivisions, commercial, and residential projects; ensure that such plans comply with City standards and requirements; develop project conditions.
• Prepare engineering studies…