Assistant Engineer (Cost Estimator)

Advance your career as an Assistant Engineer with the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), an industry-leading water and wastewater utility. Reporting to a Senior Civil Engineer, the Assistant Engineer is the mid-level engineering position on the engineering career ladder. The current opening is in the Engineering Services Division’s Specifications and Engineering Support Section. This position will work closely with a team of engineers, designers and other workgroups across EBMUD to develop and complete cost estimates for new, replacement, and maintenance projects to be constructed or installed by EBMUD crews or by contractors.

Typical duties may include:

• Develop accurate and detailed cost estimates and perform quantity takeoffs for water/wastewater infrastructure projects, including pipeline, pumping plant, rate control station, reservoir, and treatment plants.
• Review project drawings, specifications and associated reference documents to understand the scope of work and identify key cost factors.
• Collaborate with project management and construction teams to assess labor, material, and equipment requirements.
• Analyze project risks, potential cost variations, and contingencies.
• Provide recommendations for alternatives to facilitate value engineering and mitigate budget overruns.
• Utilize existing cost history as a check to complete estimates.
• Evaluate historical data, market trends, and project costs to refine estimating processes and improve accuracy.
• Review cost estimate data and market conditions to provide explanation for deviations in received bids from the official engineer’s estimate.
• Maintain accurate records of all estimates, bids, and cost documentation for future reference and project tracking.
• Provide leadership/mentoring in basic cost estimating concepts to project managers and other EBMUD staff.
• Strong ability to read and interpret multidisciplinary (civil, architectural, structural, mechanical, electrical, pipeline etc.) construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
• Proficiency in cost estimating software, Bluebeam, and Excel. Experience with other Microsoft Office products and SharePoint environment is desirable.
• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy in estimating costs.
• Strong technical writing skills and ability to justify recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to collaborate with internal stakeholders and external vendors.
• Ability to work under pressure to meet given deadlines.
• Bachelor’s degree in an ABET-accredited civil, environmental, and or a closely related engineering curriculum OR a California EIT Certificate; AND
• Two years of professional civil or closely related engineering experience (subsequent to obtaining the degree), which is equivalent to two years of experience at EBMUD’s Junior Engineer level. In addition, the most competitive candidates will have up to five years of civil or infrastructure cost estimating experience.
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record.
• Must possess the physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the position, including conducting site visits and performing on-site assessments as needed.
• Must be willing to work overtime as needed.
• Submit a completed EBMUD application and the required supplemental question responses online at www.ebmud.com by 4:30 p.m., Friday, July 31, 2026. Only application materials submitted online during the filing period will be accepted.
• Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test part in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.
• All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, with those candidates receiving a passing score to be invited to a panel interview tentatively scheduled for August or September 2026.
• Successful candidates will be placed on the hiring list, based on rank, for further consideration to fill the current regular vacancy, as well as others occurring over the next 12 to 24 months.
• The probation period for this position is 12 months. For those holding civil service status the probation period is 6 months.
• All employment offers are conditional, pending the results of a Live Scan background screening. All selected finalists must participate in the Live Scan background screening process to remain in consideration for EBMUD employment.

In addition, the ideal candidate will have the following:

This position is eligible for a hybrid onsite and telecommuting arrangement based upon terms agreed upon between the employee and supervisor. Work from home may be allowed for specific job duties.

The salary range is $11,885 per month increasing to $12,479, $13,103, $13,758 and $14,446 after 6, 18, 30, and 42 months, respectively.

EBMUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, marital or registered domestic partnership status, age for individuals age forty or older, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental or physical), medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veterans status, family or medical leave status, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation or related medical condition), pregnancy disability leave status, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, and other categories protected by federal, state and/or local laws.

REQUIREMENTS

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered. To be considered under the “equivalent combination of education and experience” provision, it is your responsibility to include in your application materials written evidence of employment performed at the level of the typical duties of this position and/or coursework in subject areas directly related to this position. For more information, see our FAQ page at http://www.ebmud.com/jobs/job-resources/job-faqs-frequently-asked-questions/.

THE SELECTION PROCESS