Supervising Civil Engineer

Supervising Civil Engineer

NOW HIRING:
Supervising Civil Engineer – Lead the Projects That Shape Our City

We're seeking a dynamic, forward-thinking engineering leader to help drive some of San Luis Obispo's most impactful public infrastructure projects. Our current opening is in the Public Works & Utilities Department within the Water/Wastewater Utilities Projects specialty — but this recruitment will establish an eligibility list that can support multiple specialty areas and future departmental needs across the City.

Please note:

Hiring incentives are not guaranteed but may be valued up to $5,000 for positions deemed hard to fill by the Director of Human Resources. For those candidates who live 50 or more miles from San Luis Obispo County, relocation assistance up to $10,000 may be available. This recruitment will remain open until the position has been filled. Applications submitted by 11:59 pm on Monday, August 31, 2026, will be given first consideration.

The first round of interviews has been scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, so please hold that date. Due to this being a continuous recruitment, the posting can close at any time without notice; therefore, prompt application is encouraged.

JOB SUMMARY:

Performs highly complex professional engineering work to successfully deliver public works infrastructure projects in the areas of development, capital improvement, and water/wastewater utilities; supervises a work team and manages a section engaged in professional engineering and technical support; performs related work as assigned. Employees are assigned to a specialty but may perform work in any specialty.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
This multi-position class is the highest level in the City's professional engineering series. Employees in this class provide specialized engineering support and direction to a variety of private and public projects. Responsibilities include serving as a section head with responsibility for planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing the work of staff engaged in the preparation of engineering plans, specifications, designs, estimates, schedules, inspections, and project management activities for construction, maintenance, and/or development programs.

This class is distinguished from the Deputy Director classifications by the latter's overall managerial responsibility for a comprehensive division comprised of development, capital improvement, or water/wastewater utilities engineering programs. This class is distinguished from Senior Civil Engineer in that the latter does not manage a section engaged in professional engineering work.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:
Receives general direction from a Director or Deputy Director within a framework of established policies and procedures. Direct supervision is provided to professional and technical staff. Project direction may be provided to contract staff and consultants.

EXAMPLE OF

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks that may be found in positions of this class.)

• Plans, supervises, assigns, directs, reviews, and evaluates the work of professional and technical engineering staff and coordinates their work with that of other City departments, outside agencies, contractors, and consultants.
• Directs, reviews, and participates in the preparation and/or examination of engineering plans, specifications, designs, requests for proposals, cost estimates, legal descriptions, and other documents for a variety of engineering projects.
• Manages engineering projects and environmental studies.
• Reviews and updates engineering standards and standard specifications.
• Develops and monitors systems and procedures for contract administration to ensure compliance with technical and legal requirements.
• Performs highly complex engineering work; provides engineering services and consultation to a variety of field and office personnel.
• Initiates, directs, and participates in the preparation of a variety of studies, procedures, ordinances, contracts, reports, written correspondence, and other materials.
• Represents the City before local, state, and…