Associate Programmer Jobs in Encinitas, CA (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $114,376.56 - $153,275.52 Annually
Location : City of Escondido, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 03786
Department: Public Works
Division: Operations - Street Maintenance
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Summary
This position is open until filled.
A first review of applications will take place during the week of July 27, 2026. Applicants that apply after the first review are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review date.
If you want to join a hardworking team that shares a commitment to provide top-quality municipal services in a prime North County location, consider a career with the City of Escondido. We have an opening for the position of Associate Engineer (Traffic) in our Public Works Department/Streets Division. For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's website.
Under general administrative direction, performs professional civil and/or traffic engineering work of a difficult and responsible nature; serves as a project or division engineer; coordinates or supervises major engineering, development or construction projects; serves as liaison with the division for General Plan implementation; and does related work as required.
Key Responsibilities
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
General Functions:
Plans, coordinates and supervises the environmental review, plan checking, and conditional approval of tentative maps, and related street improvement plans for various private development projects.
Prepares specifications, reports, correspondence, plans, plats, petitions, diagrams, profiles and cross-sections, and material and cost estimates of major street, and drainage improvements.
Utilizes advanced engineering mathematics to make accurate and complete computations and studies to determine grade, drainage and potential traffic requirements.
Acts on behalf of the City in meeting with and resolving engineering problems with project contractors, private engineers, property owners; and developers.
Serves as project engineer on major engineering and construction projects.
Serves as major coordinator with the division to implement the General Plan.
May assist in the preparation of the division's annual budget estimates.
May supervise the work of a division; may supervise professional and paraprofessional level engineers, inspectors, and technicians.
May represent the City at Planning/Transportation Commission meetings, City Council, or other public meetings.
Performs related duties as required.
Traffic Functions:
Designs such engineering structures as streets, parking lots, traffic signals, medians, and turning lanes.
Evaluates transportation system, including traffic striping, signage and signals, and prepares design plans to improve safety and optimize traffic flow.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Application of engineering principles to the design, construction and inspection of streets, storm drains, parks, traffic signals or wet utilities, and related public improvements and appurtenances.
Drafting and mapping principles and techniques.
Surveying methods.
Principles and practices of engineering or planning.
Hydraulic modeling software, for both gravity and pressure conditions.
Construction practices for wet utilities, including pipe and reservoir construction, placement of concrete and reinforcing steel, and water and wastewater treatment facilities.
Legal and regulatory requirements governing the treatment of water, wastewater and reclaimed water.
Mathematical principles.
Principles and practices of record keeping and report preparation.
Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
Ability to:Supervise and train professional and paraprofessional engineering personnel.
Prepare plans, specifications and technical reports.
Prepare and write clear and comprehensive reports.
Maintain records and files.
Oversee and participate in the provision of a high level of customer service to internal and external customers.
Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public; tactfully and courteously represent the Department during public contacts.
Read and interpret maps, plans, sketches, schematics, diagrams, and blueprints.
Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with other employees, outside agencies, and the general public.
Minimum Requirements
Education/Training:
A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or closely related field.
Experience:
Three years (full-time equivalent) of experience involving design, construction, inspection, and surveying of private development and public works projects, including increasingly responsible supervisory experience.
License and Other Requirements:
Applicants must possess a valid California driver's license at the time of selection.
Possession of a certification of registration as a professional civil or traffic engineer in the State of California is highly desirable.
Supplemental Information
NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site. The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace. All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended. A pre-employment medical examination will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment for all positions. Safety sensitive positions will include a pre-employment drug screen. Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process. When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.
All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States. Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status. In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment. The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.
The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire. New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment.
Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.
VETERANS' PREFERENCE
Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.

Guard and Reserve active duty for training purposes does not qualify for veterans' preference. Proof of eligibility (copy of DD-214) must be submitted at time of application, or later if the promulgation of the eligibility list will not be delayed. Veterans' preference credit will only be applied to eligible applicants who attained a passing grade (total score exclusive of credit) on the final open examination.
ABOUT OUR CITY
The is a prominent agricultural, commercial hub and residential center of North San Diego County. Located a short 30-minute drive from the beach, the mountains or downtown San Diego, Escondido residents enjoy the pleasure of a rural lifestyle with all the benefits of suburban living. Escondido is a diverse, vibrant community with many amenities. The city offers attractive homes in a wide range of prices, two lakes, several parks, a sports center, golf courses, restaurants, wineries, shopping centers, a variety of art galleries, entertainment venues, and a state of the art hospital. Established in 1888, the city's rich past brings charm and stability to the community; yet integrated with Escondido's treasured heritage is a progressive future, bright and brimming with promise.
EOE The City of Escondido does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, sex, age, national origin, or sexual orientation. We will attempt to reasonably accommodate applicants with disabilities upon request.
The City of Escondido offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
The Benefits of Choice program offers you a range of benefits. You choose the coverage that is right for you, your family and your budget. Read this for an overview of your options, with links to additional details and forms.
For a more detailed overview of this benefits package, please visit the and
01
Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The questions are specific to the position and the information you provide will be reviewed and used to further evaluate your experience and education to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do not answer "see resume" or " see application" as these are not valid answers. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from the information included in the Work Experience and Education sections of your application?

• Yes
• No

02
Please select which level of education you possess. Copy of degree MUST be attached to application.

• Less than High School
• High School
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or related field
• Master's Degree in Civil Engineering or related field
• BA/MA degree in an area other than Civil Engineering or related field

03
Please select the number of years of work experience you possess involving project management of public works projects and/or the review of traffic analysis and plan review of private development projects.

• None
• 0 to 3 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 4 plus years

04
Please describe your experience involving project management of public works projects and/or the review of traffic analysis and plan review of private development projects.
05
Please describe the supervisory duties you have performed.
06
Do you possess any experience in the design and/or operations of traffic signals? If so, please describe your experience including level of design or review of design, preparation and/or review of traffic signal timing and coordination plans; and experience working with Transparity or other Advance Traffic Management Systems, Synchro or other traffic-related software systems. Please list specific duties performed, specifications and guidelines used, place of employment and number of years of experience.
07
Do you possess any experience conducting and reviewing engineering studies to determine the need for traffic control devices? If so, please list specific aspects performed, place of employment and number of years of experience. Please also describe the references and standards that you have used.
08
Do