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Posted April 30, 2026
County of Santa Cruz - Department of Community Development and Infrastructure, Public Works

Water/Wastewater Design Engineer

Santa Cruz, CA, USA Full Time
Compensation: $9,831 to $12,442 Monthly
Annual leave: 22-37 days; 14 paid holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement and more!
Reference: 26-EE1-02

Certifications
Not Applicable

The current vacancy is within the Water/Wastewater (Sanitation) Engineering section of the Department of Community Development and Infrastructure, Public Works Division.

For the Water/Wastewater position, we are looking for a Wastewater/Water Design Engineer to plan, design, and support construction of water and sewer force mains, pump stations, and gravity sewer systems. Experience designing pressurized systems and pump stations is desirable. The ideal candidate has experience with hydraulic modeling and capacity analyses, sizing system components, and preparing AutoCAD Civil 3D drawings and specifications for both rehabilitation and new construction projects.

THE JOB: Under general direction, performs difficult and responsible professional civil engineering work in the field and office; may act as resident engineer on very large or complex construction projects; may supervise subordinate professional and sub-professional engineering personnel; and performs related duties as required.

The Water/Wastewater (Sanitation) Engineering section is responsible for the design and management of improvements for one domestic water system, one recycled water system, three sanitary sewer districts, and several County Service Areas; facilities include pump stations and small treatment plants.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain this knowledge and abilities would be:

Three years of experience performing as a registered engineer performing duties comparable to an Associate Civil Engineer in Santa Cruz County.


SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AT TIME OF APPLICATION:

  • Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License. (Must respond to field emergencies and inspections in County pick-up).
  • Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

    Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of civil engineering practices and procedures including design, construction methods and techniques, strength and properties and uses of materials, hydraulics, specification, and structural engineering and hydrology and hydraulic design engineering, surveying methods and construction. Working knowledge of engineering mathematics and economics; laws and ordinances related to design and construction standards; road structure design and testing procedures and equipment, and materials inspection. Some knowledge of the application of data processing to solve engineering problems and of the principles and practices of traffic engineering and sanitary engineering.

    Ability to: Plan and design complex public works projects/facilities; review engineering plans and specification prepared by private builders, contractors and/or consultants; make inspections of all phases of engineering work in progress; coordinate work of contractors and County staff; enforce contract specification and requirements; make accurate estimates of cost of materials and construction time; perform with a minimum of supervision; enforce common safety practices and procedures; prepare and present clear, concise and comprehensive reports; establish and maintain effective working relations with others; assign, schedule and review the work of subordinates on an assigned project; and present technical material to a nontechnical audience; and input, access and analyze data using a computer terminal.


    Additional Application Instructions

    HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

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