Full Time Civil Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Multiple Locations- See Job Description, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-1547-02
Department: Public Works
Division: Public Works-Roads
Opening Date: 07/28/2026
Closing Date: 8/11/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
SALARY:
Civil Engineering Associate III: $48.89-$58.91 Hourly
Civil Engineer: $56.21-$67.84 Hourly
We are accepting applications to fill one (1) full-time Civil Engineering Associate III/Civil Engineer vacancy in the Transportation Division of the Public Works Department in Santa Maria or Santa Barbara.
The selected candidate may be appointed at the Civil Engineering Associate III or Civil Engineer level, depending on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the department.
We are also accepting applications to establish employment lists for future Full-Time, Part-Time, Civil Service Rule 1414* and Extra-Help Civil Engineering Associate III/Civil Engineer vacancies in the Resource Recovery and Waste Management, Transportation and Water Resources Divisions of the Public Works Department at All Locations.
*NOTE: Positions vacated as a result of a leave of absence (Civil Service Rule 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department. *BENEFITS: The 1414 position is eligible for Full-Time benefits.
THE POSITION: Under direction, performs complex professional civil engineering work, which includes roadway geometrics and grading design, roadside drainage design, associated transportation design components such as signage/striping, storm water control and traffic control plans. Other work includes preparing specifications and engineer's quantity takeoffs and construction cost estimates.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: The Civil Engineer is distinguished from the Civil Engineering Associate III by the former's attainment of registration as a professional civil engineer from the State of California and from a Civil Engineering Associate II by the responsibility for performing the more complex and difficult assignments which may include supervisory responsibilities. The Civil Engineer is further distinguished from the Civil Engineer Manager or Specialist by the latter's overall responsibility for a major engineering phase, function, or division, or for a specialty with the department.
The Ideal Candidate will possess:

• 3-5+ years' experience in the transportation industry, in-depth knowledge of design principles and applications related to roadway design, roadside drainage, structures, and traffic management. Knowledge/experience in designing retaining structures and slope stabilization techniques is desirable.
• 3-5+ years' experience in Water Resources Engineering, in-depth knowledge of design principles related to Hydrology and Hydraulics, drainage systems and roadside drainage feature such as inlet design, overside drain design and erosion control.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Dedication and team loyalty with good judgment.
• Solution-oriented strategic problem-solving skills.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple situations occurring simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain sound working relationships with diverse people and personalities.
• Ability to prepare and write clear and concisely, and keep records organized accordingly.
• Proficiency in using AutoCAD and Civil3D software.
• Experience with Bluebeam software.

About the Public Works Department: The Santa Barbara County Public Works Department consists of five divisions: Transportation, Resource Recovery and Waste Management, Flood Control & Water Resources, the County Surveyors Office, and Administration. The County's Public Works Department employees are committed to efficiently providing, operating and maintaining public works infrastructure, facilities and services to make everyday life as safe and convenient as possible for the public we serve. To learn more about us, visit
Examples of Duties

1. Designs road widening projects, intersection reconfiguration projects, sidewalk and curb ramp improvement projects, storm repair projects which include slope reconstruction and stabilization, drainage system design projects such as inlet and culvert upgrades;
2. Works closely and helps lead a staff of professional and sub-professional personnel in the planning, design, preparation of drawings, plans, specifications, contractor's bids, and estimates for a variety of transportation projects;
3. Coordinates contract administration work with theConstrucion Section of the Transportation Division;
4. Coordinates final preparation of road construction plans and contract bid documents;
5. Writes specifications and sets up bid and construction schedules for county road contracts;
6. Performs in-depth engineering work related to alternatives analysis, research,and technical studies;
7. Works with other division and department staff to coordinate transportation projects across different disciplines;
8. Manages small projects and tasks with oversight from supervising engineer;
9. Gains familiarity with project delivery and Federal/State funding requirements.

Employment Standards
Possession of a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or designation as a Professional Engineer Intern, and:

1. Three years of increasingly responsible professional civil engineering experience; OR,
2. One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Civil Engineering Associate II with Santa Barbara County; OR,
3. A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Additional Qualifications: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License.
Knowledge of: the principles and practices of civil engineering and the ability to apply them to the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of roads, flood control, and other public works facilities; the materials, methods, and equipment used in the construction of public works.
Ability to: analyze facts and to exercise independent judgement; coordinate, train, and supervise the work of subordinates; prepare correspondence and reports; establish and maintain effective work relations with colleagues, representatives of other public and private organizations, and with the public.
Supplemental Information
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those candidates who meet the employment standards.
• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking. Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the employment list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking assessment to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.
REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.
Recruiters will communicate with applicants by email during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.
Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee may be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, please to learn more.
In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

The County may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and, at the discretion of the CEO, can provide flexible relocation assistance, housing and student loan offsets, and/or vacation and sick leave pre-accruals in the interest of attracting the best talent to the organization.
Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) StatementThe County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: August 11, 2026, at 4:59 PM PST Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
Kim Clark, Transportation HR Specialist:
Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and

Health Benefits

• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit:

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement
• Paid Holidays based on bargaining unit (view the compensation summary for this bargaining unit, link below)
• Alternative Transportation Benefit (TDM) up to 2 days of additional vacation for using alternative methods of commuting
• For more information on Paid Time Off please view the Compensation Summary for this bargaining unit (available below)

Miscellaneous Benefits

• County Paid Term Life Insurance
• County Paid Long Term Disability Insurance
• Childcare and Employee Discounts
• Relocation Assistance may apply
• Flexible work schedule may apply
• For more information on all of these benefits, please visit:

Compensation Summary

• To view the Compensation Summary specific to the bargaining unit for this position (link to full Memorandum of Understanding also available at bottom of the summary), please visit:

*This benefits list is for convenience only; please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for complete details of terms and conditions. Amounts are generally prorated for part-time employment.
01
To be considered for this position your application must CLEARLY state how you meet each of the requirements under EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS on the Job Bulletin or you will not be considered for this position. If you are unsure, go back and review your application before continuing. Which Employment Standard did you clearly state on your application?
02
Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering?

• Yes
• No