Assistant Engineer Jobs in Berkeley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $157,488.00 - $191,424.00 Annually
Location : Oakland, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-101
Department: Wastewater Dept
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 4:30 PM Pacific
The Position
East Bay Municipal Utility District's (EBMUD's) Wastewater Planning Section is seeking a highly qualified individual with exceptional project management, communication, problem-solving and analytical skills. The Associate Civil/Mechanical Engineer will manage high-profile projects related to implementation of key initiatives in the Wastewater Department. The Department has a capital improvement program (CIP) valued at over $1.2B over the next ten years, including a new dewatering building, expanded nutrient removal, and a wide variety of projects to address EBMUD's aging infrastructure. The selected individual will perform a variety of complex engineering tasks associated with the planning for facilities for a large wastewater treatment plant and interceptor system. This individual will play a key role in delivering the Wastewater Department's CIP, informing the prioritization of capital projects, identifying and assessing capital project needs, and coordinating complex projects with outside agencies.
Core responsibilities include:
• Leading cross-departmental efforts to develop effective engineering solutions to manage key initiatives, including EBMUD's emerging nutrient management issues, major capital projects, such as the new dewatering building, nutrient removal solutions, new interceptor pipeline construction, and ongoing infrastructure renewal.
• Preparing and implementing wastewater master plans, facility plans, and environmental review documentation.
• Managing the preparation of environmental documentation.
• Directing the work of staff, including Assistant and Junior Engineers and leading interdisciplinary, cross-divisional project teams.
• Developing and managing the Wastewater Department's capital budget.
• Effectively representing EBMUD in external stakeholder meetings and industry associations.
• Preparing feasibility studies and engineering financial analyses to support effective decision making.
• Coordinating with outside agencies to ensure protection of critical wastewater collection and treatment system infrastructure.
• Preparing and presenting project findings and recommendations in written and oral formats.
• Negotiating agreements with outside agencies and private parties.
The ideal candidates will possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
• Strong project management skills, including developing clear scopes of work, managing budget and schedule, identifying critical path items, identifying and mitigating project risks, and managing consultants.
• Broad technical understanding of wastewater treatment processes, technologies, and key emerging issues, and willingness to grow technical knowledge where the candidate currently lacks experience.
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment, quickly assimilate new information, and communicate clear, reasoned recommendations.
• Ability to successfully manage multiple priorities, complete projects on time and within budget.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated experience in project management, especially in planning wastewater infrastructure renewal and implementation, design of wastewater, recycled water, and/or water infrastructure, permitting and environmental documentation, and a master's degree in a relevant field are highly desirable.
The salary range is $13,124 per month increasing to $13,780, $14,469, $15,192 and $15,952 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
1. A bachelor's degree in an ABET accredited civil engineering curriculum or a California Engineer-In-Training Certificate.
2. Four years of professional engineering experience (subsequent to obtaining the degree), which is equivalent to two years of experience at EBMUD's Assistant Engineer level.
3. California registration as a Professional Civil or Mechanical Engineer.
4. Possession of a valid California driver's license and a satisfactory driving record.
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
1. Submit a completed EBMUD application and the required supplemental question responses online at www.ebmud.com by 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 28, 2026. Only application materials submitted online during the filing period will be accepted.
2. Candidates must achieve a passing score on each test part in order to advance to the next step in the selection process.
3. All qualified applications and supplemental responses will be competitively evaluated, with those candidates receiving a passing score to be invited to a panel interview.
4. 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.
5. The probation period for this position is 12 months. For those holding civil service status the probation period is 6 months.
6. 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.
Supplemental Information
As the first step in the selection process, responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted online with the regular EBMUD application. Please provide thorough, accurate descriptions of assignments you have personally performed. Candidates are advised that their answers to these questions are an opportunity to communicate their abilities and experience. The answers will be used to evaluate the candidate's ability to write clearly and concisely while directly answering the question. Should you respond with comments such as "see application" or "see resume" instead of addressing the questions directly, your application may not be considered.
Regular/Probationary Positions:
Our excellent benefits package includes:

• 12 days paid vacation; 16 holidays; 13 days paid sick leave;
• Family health insurance (choice of Kaiser fully paid or Sutter Health Plus or Anthem Blue Cross 85% paid);
• Fully paid family dental and vision care plans; life insurance; long-term disability insurance;
• EBMUD Retirement Plan (reciprocal with CalPERS);
• $1,000/yr. contributed to flexible spending account or cash;
• $145/mo. public transit subsidy;
• 401(k), 401(a) and 457(b) tax-deferred retirement plans; Roth 401(k);
• $3,500/yr. tuition reimbursement;
• And opportunities for professional growth including training and career development.

Temporary / Limited Term / Temporary Construction Positions:
Temporary (T) - Full-time, Temporary (T) employees are eligible for health benefits but are not members of the EBMUD Employees' Retirement Plan and do not have civil service status.
Limited Term (LT) - Full-time, Limited-term (LT) employees are eligible for health benefits but are not members of the EBMUD Employees' Retirement Plan and do not have civil service status.
Temporary Construction (TC) - Full-time, Temporary Construction (TC) employees are eligible for health benefits but are not members of the EBMUD Employees' Retirement Plan and do not have civil service status.
NOTE: EBMUD employees with Civil Service status retain all benefits.
01
Are you registered in the state of California as a Professional Civil or Mechanical Engineer?

• Yes
• No

02
If so, list your specialty and P.E. license number(s).
03
Describe your experience on planning phase engineering projects in the water/wastewater industry. Examples could include master plans, feasibility studies, facility plans, piloting and testing of wastewater process equipment, conceptual project alternative development, and/or budget-level scoping of potential design projects. Explain the critical elements and outcomes of the planning phase of a project, and specifically what your role was in each project.
04
Describe how you successfully complete an assignment in an area in which you initially lack expertise. Describe both your general approach and one or two examples from your past work experience, including the challenges and the results.
05
Summarize your experience as a project manager. Describe your general approach to managing projects and the role a project manager has in making a project a success. Give examples of projects where you were the primary project manager, with responsibility to complete the project on time and within the approved budget.
Required Question