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TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Application Deadline: September 9, 2026 @ 4:00 PM
Training & Experience Evaluation or Oral Board Exam:
Week of September 14, 2026 (Tentative)
Selection Interview:
TBD
THE OPPORTUNITY
Join a high-performing engineering team responsible for shaping Tracy's future through both public infrastructure and private development. This position manages complex Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and land development projects from planning and design through construction. The successful candidate will work directly with developers, consultants, contractors, utility agencies, and City leadership while helping deliver streets, traffic signals, water, sewer, storm drain, grading, and other public infrastructure improvements that support one of California's fastest-growing communities. This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer seeking meaningful responsibility, technical variety, and long-term career growth.
Experience with land development, subdivision improvement plans, grading, drainage, utility infrastructure, and development review is highly
desirable.
DEFINITION
Under general supervision or general direction, performs various professional field and office engineering work related to the management, planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), land development, traffic engineering, infrastructure, and daily departmental operations; provides project management and administration; confers with developers, contractors, and representatives of other agencies regarding facility and infrastructure development; administers professional services and construction contracts; administers Federal and State grant funds associated with construction projects; provides professional staff assistance to higher level supervisor and/or manager, other departments, and the public in areas of expertise; performs a variety of studies and prepares and presents staff reports; and performs related duties, as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Exercises no direct supervision over staff.
Associate/Associate Civil Engineer: This is the journey-level classification in the professional engineering series. Positions at this level are distinguished from the Assistant level by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned, working independently, exercising judgment and initiative, and assuming project management responsibility for larger and more complex CIP and infrastructure projects. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Work may be reviewed upon completion for compliance with City policies and procedures, but incumbents have authority to sign and seal their own work product as registered Professional Engineers. This class is distinguished from the Senior Civil Engineer in that the latter is the advanced journey and full supervisory level in the series, and is responsible for organizing, assigning, and reviewing the work of departmental and/or contract staff involved in a major area of the Engineering division, in addition to possessing a highly-developed and clearly-distinguishable skillset in particular areas of expertise and/or performing the most complex and difficult engineering and project management activities.
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Some duties and functions may be performed by positions at the Assistant-level in a learning capacity:
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Plans, designs, and inspects all phases of civil engineering public works construction projects, including defining the scope of the project; coordinating with permitting and public utility agencies; performing historical document research and review; surveying and engineering analysis of alternatives; preparing plans, specifications, and cost estimates; performing research, map, and field studies and surveys; drafting site plans with specialized computer software; applying engineering principles and practices to specific problems; coordinating construction schedules with other projects and agencies; preparing and reviewing cost estimates; and inspecting construction of projects to ensure compliance with construction documents; and performs related planning and design work.
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Reviews construction plans prepared by consulting engineers and private contractors to verify compliance with City, State, Federal, and/or industry standards and requirements for public works infrastructure; checks plans for conformance with regulations regarding line, grade, size, elevation, and location of structures; reviews engineering calculations of other engineers or engineering technicians; participates in pre-design, construction, and utility coordination meetings and issues construction permits.
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Provides construction administration, public relations, management, and inspection of public works construction projects, including coordinating work with other City departments and agencies, reviewing, and inspecting work to preserve public safety and ensure conformance with plans and specifications, tracking and maintaining all project accounting, coordinating schedules, and providing public notices of projects.
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Investigates field problems affecting property owners, contractors, and maintenance operations; responds to citizen inquiries and complaints; provides information to the public at the front counter in person, via telephone, or other means of communication regarding grading, encroachment permits, right-of-way and property line information, utility information, slope stability, drainage, and groundwater issues.
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Reviews encroachment permit applications for release and approval; verifies that technical staff obtained the insurance certificate, that the traffic control plans were reviewed by traffic and determines encroachment permit bond amount if applicable.
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Assists and/or performs traffic engineering studies, such as speed and traffic surveys and traffic counts; reviews and approves transportation permits; reviews and prepares traffic signal plans, and sign and striping plans.
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Tracks grant funded projects and their requirements; processes paperwork ensuring compliance with all grant requirements; keeps track of all rules and regulations stipulated by the grant; files reimbursements for grants and performs record keeping of grant funded projects.
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Processes and reviews development projects, such as subdivisions, and prepares and reviews legal descriptions, improvement plans, and related documents.
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Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas.
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Prepares reports and makes recommendations; may make presentations to committees and the City Council.
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Prepares and submits grant applications.
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Represents the City with groups, organizations, committees, professional groups, other public agencies, and the public.
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Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
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Provides technical and functional direction and training to other engineering, technical, or contract staff, when acting in a project manager capacity.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
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Civil engineering principles, techniques, policies, and procedures.
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Methods, materials, and techniques used in the construction of public works projects, including water and wastewater systems, stormwater, street, and traffic systems design.
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Principles, practices, procedures, and standards related to City public works, engineering infrastructure development and maintenance, and surveying.
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Principles and practices of capital improvement program budgeting, cost estimation, funding, project management, and contract administration.
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General design, layout, and construction practices for public improvements such as streets, storm drains, grading, and landscaping.
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Subdivision engineering, plan review, mapping, and construction practices.
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Bidding requirements for public works projects.
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Project management and contract administration principles and techniques, especially in a public agency setting.
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Engineering plan types, review practices, and permit filing and approval procedures.
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Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
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Modern office practices and technology, including personal computer hardware and software applications related to the work, such as computer-aided drafting (CAD) concepts and applications, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs.
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Modern developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding engineering.
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Principles of advanced mathematics and their application to engineering work.
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Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
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Methods and techniques of effective technical report preparation and presentation.
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Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
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The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
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Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.
Ability to:
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Oversee and administer CIP projects through completion on-time and within budget.
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Design engineering projects.
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Conduct complex civil engineering research projects, analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
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Prepare, analyze, understand, and interpret engineering construction plans, specifications, and other contract documents, and determine conformance with applicable laws and standards.
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Conduct comprehensive engineering studies and prepare reports with recommendations.
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Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner, including written reports.
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Assist in and develop and administer contracts for professional services and construction in a public agency setting.
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Perform mathematical and engineering computations with precision.
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Recognize discrepancies from as-built to contract specifications and recommend reconciliation.
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Make engineering design computations and check, design, and prepare engineering plans and studies.
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Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, and regulatory organizations, and individuals.
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Direct the work of contract consultants.
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Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
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Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
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Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
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Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
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Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
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Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
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Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Associate Engineer: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in civil enginering, or a closely related engineering field. Two (2) years of responsible professional engineering experience equivalent to Assistant Engineer with the City of Tracy. Possession of a valid certification as an Engineer-In-Training or Professional Engineer license issued by the State of California is highly desirable. Employees assigned to the position of Associate Engineer and who possess a Professional Engineer (PE) license, will receive an incentive of five percent (5%) of their base rate of pay per pay period.
Requirement at all levels:
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Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license upon appointment.
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May be required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in the field, to operate varied hand and power tools, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit and inspect Agency sites, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing ladders, stairs, and other access points; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; this is occasionally a sedentary office classification although standing and walking between work areas and to conduct inspections is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 40 pounds.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees predominately work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes. Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All City of Tracy employees are, by State and Federal law, Disaster Service Workers. The roles and responsibilities for Disaster Service Workers are authorized by the California Emergency Services Act and are defined in the California Labor Code. In the event of a declaration of emergency, any employee of the City may be assigned to perform activities which promote the protection of public health and safety or the preservation of lives and property. Such assignments may require service at locations, times, and under conditions that are significantly different than the normal work assignments and may continue into the recovery phase of the emergency. If a “Local Emergency” is declared during the employee’s shift, employees will be expected to remain at work to respond to the emergency needs of the community. If a “Local Emergency” is declared outside of the employee’s shift, employees must make every effort to contact their direct supervisor or department head to obtain reporting instructions as Disaster Service Workers.
