Senior Civil Engineer (Open Until Filled)

The City of Richmond seeks a dynamic and driven Senior Civil Engineer to join our forward-thinking team. We are looking for candidates who are deeply committed to serving the public within a progressive local government, renowned for its robust community engagement. As part of our team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the City's future.
In this vital position, you will support the City Engineer, focusing on overseeing traffic safety improvements, and managing public infrastructure aspects in diverse development projects. Additionally, this role involves working closely with the City Engineer, managing an array of transportation and traffic Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs). Your expertise will be instrumental in planning, traffic engineering, enhancing traffic safety across all travel modes, implementing traffic calming measures, and overseeing the private development review process in relation to traffic engineering. You will also be responsible for responding effectively to traffic-related requests and inquiries, ensuring the smooth operation and safety of our city's transportation network.
Annual salary for this position is $176,743.68 at the top of the range, with approved Cost of Living Adjustments in 2025 (4%).
Additionally, City-paid benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid vacation, holidays, administrative leave days, sick time, CalPERS retirement contribution, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, annual professional development reimbursement, one week of paid parental leave, and more! All benefits information can be found here.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Under the direction of the City Engineer, the Senior Civil Engineer supervises and participates in both the field and office work of engineers, inspectors, and technical personnel in connection with the design and construction of streets, sewers, and other public and private works as required.

This is a management position that requires supervision, training, and evaluation of subordinates. It requires considerable latitude for independent judgment and action. The Senior Civil Engineer will also assist in the development and implementation of City departmental or division goals, policies, procedures and priorities.
Senior Civil Engineers will be assigned to one of the following functional sections but may assist in other areas as well:
Land Development Section: This Senior Civil Engineer position will manage all aspects of private land development and street encroachments in conformance with engineering standards, City regulations, and California Subdivision Map Act requirements. Reviews or supervises review of subdivision maps, improvement plans, excavation permits and building plans for conformance with flood plan ordinance. A Senior Civil Engineer who is eligible to sign subdivision maps or is a licensed surveyor in this position will receive a 15% salary supplement. This Engineer will attend Planning Commission meetings as required.
Design Section and Construction Section of the City Capital Improvement Program: These two Senior Civil Engineer positions will be responsible for the design and/or construction of the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for all city departments, including collecting the capital projects from each city department, cost estimating, planning, design, contract administration and the construction of all capital projects. Construction management and inspection of projects, as well as scheduling contract payments, will also be required. Coordination with the Finance Department will be required to develop the financial structure and budget to finance capital projects. This position will also have custody of and responsibility for preservation and filing of all maps and drawings. These two positions would report directly to the Capital Project's Manager.
Water Pollution Control Plant including the Collection System: This Senior Civil Engineer position will be responsible for the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP), and Collection System when the City is operating and staffing the WPCP or administration and management of the WPCP and collection system contract if operation is performed by others under contract. Must also attend Joint City/West County Waste Water District meetings and coordinate relations with that agency. Requires knowledge of and responsibility for compliance with the NPDES Permits and Clean Water Act laws and regulations as well as annual preparation and presentation of the Director's report which sets the annual sewer rates. A certification as an Environmental Compliance Inspector and/or a license as a Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator is desirable.
Traffic Section: This Senior Civil Engineer position will be responsible for this function in addition to the coordinating, making assignments to and oversight of the services of a Traffic Engineer Consultant if contracted. Includes evaluation of EIR Traffic elements as well as on private development, coordination of traffic signals, signs, lines, traffic counts, traffic calming requests, accident evaluation, railroad issues, evaluation of new applications related to traffic circulation, and other associated activities as required. Arranges for speed surveys and preserves resulting records as well as other traffic records required to be retained and retrieves information as requested from various sources. Requires coordination and review of transportation and traffic issues with the Community Development Department, Police Department, and other departments as needed. Will attend City Council Public Safety Committee meetings and all other local and Regional Transportation planning groups as needed.
The ideal candidate for this role will exhibit a proven track record as a quick learner with the ability to work effectively both independently and within teams. They should possess excellent judgment, flexibility, and the competence to perform a variety of office and field support duties. A key attribute is a willingness to continuously learn and adapt to new training.
Desirable characteristics: Self-motivated, adept at working harmoniously with diverse leadership styles, and possessing the agility to pivot effectively in dynamic environments. The candidate should demonstrate readiness to contribute proactively during critical times, particularly in the traffic section.
It is essential for the candidate to stay abreast of the latest trends in Transportation and Traffic Engineering, exhibit creativity in problem-solving, work collaboratively with teams, and communicate effectively in public settings. This role demands an innovative and resourceful approach to handling the complex challenges of modern traffic and transportation scenarios.
The intent of this job specification is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Supervises the preparation of plans and specifications for a wide variety of public works' projects, such as streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, sewers, and drainage structures and systems.
• Reviews work in progress, decides on design procedures, and gives advice and instruction to subordinates in connection with standards and design problems.
• Checks completed work for accuracy and conformance with standards.
• Consults with sub-dividers, contractors, engineers, and utility company representatives on problems relating to right-of-way improvements and public works design and construction.
• Prepares and reviews drafts of the technical provisions of ordinances, resolutions, and policy statements.
• Maintains responsibility for field inspections of construction work in progress.
• Confers with and advises personnel of other departments on engineering problems.
• Prepares analyses, reports, and studies regarding public works' projects, and investigates complaints and other related work or assignments, usually through subordinates.
• Assists in the development and implementation of City departmental or division goals, policies, procedures, and priorities.
• Develops Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs), and participates with other department staff in the selection of consulting engineers.
• Reviews Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and related documents.
• Analyzes, administers and manages contracts and projects; may initiate grants.
• Meets with state, federal, local districts, agencies, consultants, and engineers to discuss project guidelines, design parameters, policies, and procedures.
• Develops long-term work plans, and develops and monitors the annual budget in their function.
• Represents the Engineering Division in staff, neighborhood, City Council, and other public meetings.
• Prepares written reports and correspondence for City Council, senior management, neighborhood groups, vendors, and other internal and external entities.
• Manages or directs the management of grant-related processes, including grant writing and reporting, implementation of grant-funded projects, and submission of timely reimbursement requests.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field
• Four (4) to seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional Civil Engineering experience, including supervision
• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Valid registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California
• A Professional Engineer license eligible to sign California subdivision maps, or a land surveyor's license is desirable
• California driver's license is an ongoing requirement

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:

• The City's policy is that all persons hired on or after October 18, 2021, must be fully vaccinated, including the booster for COVID-19. New employees will be required to provide proof of complete vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before employment may commence. If you have any questions regarding this policy, please contact Human Resources.

Desirable qualifications:

• Licensure as a Professional Traffic Engineer in the State of California
• Proficiency in Auto CAD and AutoCAD 3D

REQUIRED KSA FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES
Knowledge of:

• Principles of Civil Engineering as applied to the design and construction of municipal public works
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws relating to design and construction of municipal public works
• Safety laws, regulations, and practices
• Office and records administration
• Surveying methods and practices
• Rules, regulations, laws, and procedures related to municipal public works
• Public administration, including personnel management and supervision
• Modern office practices and equipment, including computers and applicable software

Skill in:

• Analytical thinking
• Problem solving
• Organization and time management
• Leadership

Ability to:

• Prepare computer-generated written reports, spreadsheets, and presentations
• Prepare designs and specifications for all types of public works
• Direct and coordinate the work of other engineering and technical personnel
• Review and analyze relevant legislation
• Prepare successful grant applications
• Represent the City effectively with various public and private agencies
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrative personnel, other staff, private engineers and consultants, and members of the public.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

To Apply: Interested individuals must apply online by fully completing the City of Richmond Employment Application, including answers to supplemental questions, by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date. Incomplete applications or those lacking sufficiently detailed information will be rejected; resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a thoroughly completed application.
All communication regarding this recruitment will be via email; each applicant must apply with a monitored email address.
Qualifying Phase: All completed applications will be evaluated based on job-related qualifications criteria, which could include desirable qualifications and the specific needs of the hiring department(s). Candidates may be screened for better qualified.
Examination Phase: A limited number of the most suitably qualified candidates will have their application packets scored according to a rating matrix (weighted 100%). An Employment List will be established. Having all of the minimum qualifications guarantees neither advancement nor placement on the Employment List.
Employment List: A ranking of "A" (Best Qualified), "B" (Well Qualified), or "C"(Qualified) is required to achieve a position on the Employment List. The Employment List will be in effect for a maximum of two (2) years; however, the list may be canceled, without notice, after six (6) months.
Following the establishment of the Employment List, candidates will be referred to the hiring department for final interview(s).
Background Check: The successful candidate will be required to undergo a background.


The City of Richmond lies on the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, five miles north of Berkeley and seven miles northeast across the Bay from downtown San Francisco. A hub of multimodal transportation, many of our residents and businesses are located in Richmond because of its central location and easy access to the Amtrak/Capitol Corridor, BART,AC Transit, the ferry, and two freeways (I-80 & I-580). Residents, visitors, and employees enjoy Richmond's numerous recreational opportunities, which include 32 mi...