Summary/Class CharacteristicsSenior Civil Engineer
The City of Petaluma, is seeking a Senior Civil Engineer to join its expanding Public Works Department. This position presents a unique opportunity to lead high-impact capital improvement projects in one of the Bay Area’s most vibrant and community-focused municipalities. The City is seeking an accomplished professional who is committed to engineering excellence, mentorship, and public service, and who is driven to design and implement projects that advance sustainability, innovation, and public safety.
This recruitment will remain open until filled and may close at any time. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early for first consideration. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
SALARY AND BENEFITS PACKAGE - SALARY RANGE : $131,892.80 - $160,347.20 annually
- FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELL BEING:
- MEDICAL INSURANCE: Choice of a variety of CalPERS Health Plans. City pays ~95% of the Bay Area Kaiser premium for employee & eligible dependents; or alternative option to receive Medical Cash Back (if you have medical coverage elsewhere). Please see the 2026 Health Plan Contribution Memo
- DENTAL & VISION INSURANCE: Coverage for employees & eligible family members, paid for by the City.
- LIFE INSURANCE: 1.5x annual compensation up to maximum of $200,000. Option to purchase additional insurance. Long-Term Disability up to 60% of your current monthly salary after eligibility requirements are met and subject to maximum amounts.
- EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Support and benefits, for you and eligible family members, paid for by the City.
- WELLNESS BENEFIT: $500 annual allowance (is subject to the annual budget approval process and may change in the future.)
- FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE:
- CALPERS RETIREMENT PACKAGE
- 2% at 60 for classic CalPERS members
- 2% at 62 for PEPRA CalPERS members
- DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Voluntary participation in your choice of three plans.
- FOR YOUR WORK / LIFE BALANCE (annual amounts):
- Vacation: 80 Hours, increasing with years of service, up to 5 years service credit towards vacation accrual rate for prior qualifying employment.
- Sick Leave: 96 hours
- Administrative Leave: 80 hours (per fiscal year)
- Holidays: 12 fixed and 1 floating
- Other Exceptional Benefits:
- Paid Parental Leave - up to 8 weeks of paid time for qualifying family bonding
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Employer
For more information regarding the benefits associated with this position, visit our website and look at the Memorandum of Understanding and Employee Benefits .
Class Characteristics:The Senior Civil Engineer performs the most complex professional engineering work which requires a substantial level of professional training and experience. Incumbents are expected to exercise considerable discretion and independent judgment in the supervision, coordination, and prioritization of different projects within the area of responsibility as well as in providing direction and technical expertise in the more complex engineering assignments.
DutiesSupervise and participate in the plan review and permit programs, and private development review and inspection.
Make public presentations to the City Council, Planning Commission, other boards, and commissions and at community meetings.
Plan, design, and construct various capital improvement projects for water system infrastructure (tanks, pump stations, distribution lines), sewer system infrastructure (transmission lines, lift stations, force mains), storm system infrastructure (collection and treatment systems, streets and public right-of-way infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, airport facilities, parks and recreation facilities, and other City owned buildings and facilities.
Manage construction contract administration.
Supervise, train, and evaluate professional and technical staff.
Prepare and administer or assist in the preparation and administration of the section budget.
Review plans and estimates for construction prepared by private engineers.
Review and make recommendations on technical reports and studies.
Check computations and specified materials for accuracy and conformance within regulations.
Inspect project sites and City infrastructure including water, sewer, storm, streets, and other City facilities for operational integrity and to establish capital improvement projects.
Coordinate engineering and plan review related activities with other City departments, divisions, and sections and with outside agencies.
Obtain environmental compliance and permitting requirements for City capital improvement projects.
Research, interpret, and apply the City code, and federal and state laws and regulations related to public works, subdivisions, and building projects.
Interpret specifications and City policy and make change orders.
Participate in the selection and supervision of private professional engineers for the development of plans and specifications, studies, and reports.
Supervise, review, and participate in the preparation of environmental assessments and studies.
Supervise and participate in the development of plans, specifications, estimates, and work orders for the construction of public works and City projects.
Prepare reports and assist in the preparation of the capital improvement plan and budget.
Review subdivisions and development plans for compliance with City standards.
Sign and stamp civil engineering documents including various types of studies, reports, and construction documents such as specifications and improvement plans; this includes oversight, review, signing, and stamping documents prepared by CIP staff.
Serve as staff representative to a variety of City commissions, boards, and committees on engineering matters.
Prepare various applications for federal and state grants; initiate and conduct engineering planning studies to identify public works facility needs.
Perform related duties as assigned.
QualificationsEducation and Experience
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities would be:
Education:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a related field.
Experience:
Five years of progressively responsible professional engineering experience to demonstrate possession of the knowledge and abilities listed above, including indirect supervisory or project management experience.
Certifications/Licenses:
Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California with good standing is required.
Physical Demands and Working EnvironmentWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee will be frequently required to sit and talk and hear. The employee will be required to stand, walk, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to sit, enter data into a terminal, personal computer, tablet, or keyboard device; operate office equipment requiring repetitive arm/hand movement. The employee will occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and must operate an automobile to attend various meetings and workshops. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
The City of Petaluma offers a wide-ranging, comprehensive benefit package including CalPERS retirement, medical, dental, vision, life, LTD, etc. For moreinformation regarding the benefits associated with this position, visit our website: https://cityofpetaluma.org/employee-benefits-information/