Job Details

The current vacancy is a Senior Civil Engineer position in the Unified Permit Center, CDI - Planning Division, to oversee the Permit Engineering Group. This group is responsible for implementation of permitting requirements for private development infrastructure, including the areas of stormwater, roads / transportation, sanitation, subdivision mapping, grading, soils engineering and geology. The position generally consists of overseeing the staff who review permits for compliance with the Public Works Design Criteria and Subdivision Map Act; the County Grading, Erosion Control, and Geologic Hazards ordinances; and the geotechnical requirements of the California Building Code.  

The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in civil engineering, with a focus on reviewing complex site development engineering and geology projects. They should demonstrate a solid understanding of stormwater management principles, road and transportation engineering, sanitary sewer design, site grading design, geotechnical engineering, and engineering geology principles, with the ability to review and approve technical reports and plans for residential, commercial, and subdivision developments. This candidate will have proven leadership abilities, as they will supervise a team of engineers and support staff, providing technical guidance and direction. Excellent communication skills are critical, as they will work closely with other departments, agencies, developers and the public, ensuring projects comply with federal, state, and local regulations. Experience managing budgets, preparing reports, and solving complex engineering challenges will further enhance their ability to thrive in this role. Additionally, the ideal candidate will hold a valid California Civil Engineer Professional Engineering certificate of registration. A solid history of progressively responsible experience in civil engineering; experience participating in the permit review process as a private consultant and public agency reviewer is highly desirable. 

THE JOB: Under general direction, plan, direct, coordinate, schedule, review and evaluate the work of a section of the Public Works Department or Planning Department; review and analyze technical and engineering issues; and perform other duties as required. Positions in this classification work directly for an Assistant Director and are typically responsible for managing a section in the Public Works or Planning Departments. This classification is the first full supervisory and management level classification in the professional and technical engineering series. Incumbents supervise a staff of engineers, paraprofessional engineers, engineering aides, maintenance staff and other support staff. In addition to supervising the work of staff, incumbents perform the most difficult and complex engineering work or serve as the technical expert in reviewing and analyzing engineering issues. 

During the life of the eligible list, the list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies in the following sections: Permit Engineering Group, Road Operations and Encroachments, Water/Wastewater (Sanitation), Recycling and Solid Waste, Construction Management, and Flood Control. 

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited college with a major in civil, traffic, environmental, or sanitary engineering; or biological, chemical, physical or soil science; or a related field; AND five (5) years of increasingly responsible engineering experience that demonstrates possession and application of the knowledge and abilities listed below. A master`s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of the required engineering experience. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: License: Possession of a valid California class C driver license. Certificate: For some assignments: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California Board of Registration for Professional Engineers. 

HOW TO APPLY: Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com or mail/bring an application and supplemental questionnaire to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 510, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. For information, call (831) 454-2600. Hearing Impaired TDD/TTY: 711. Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS: 

VACATION - 16 days 1st year, increasing to 31 days per year after 15 years of service. Available after 1 year of service.

ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE – One week advanced upon appointment; two weeks accrued each year; can be taken in cash or time off. HOLIDAYS - 14 paid holidays per year. 

SICK LEAVE - Six days per year. 

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE - 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state. 

MEDICAL PLAN - The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents. 

DENTAL PLAN - County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage. 

VISION PLAN - The County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage. 

RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY - Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees` Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County participates in Social Security. LIFE INSURANCE - County paid $50,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance. LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN - Plan pays 66 2/3% of the first $13,500, up to $9,000 per month maximum. DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay for qualifying child or dependent care expenses may elect this pre-tax program. H-CARE PLAN - Employees who pay a County medical premium may elect this pre-tax program. HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA)– Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses. DEFERRED COMPENSATION - A deferred compensation plan is available to employees