Published date: February 22, 2026
Salary: $136,177.60 Annually
Closing Date: Continuous
Apply HERE
County of San Diego Civil Engineer – Wastewater
***This hard to recruit position qualifies for the Employee Referral Reward Program. If a current County of San Diego employee referred you to apply for this position, please indicate the employee’s name on your job application in the space provided. ***
This is an excellent professional career opportunity to be part of a progressive, recognized, and award-winning public agency in beautiful San Diego. The County of San Diego is a dynamic and diverse organization committed to providing essential public services to its residents. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, we strive to create a safe and thriving environment for all who call San Diego County home. The County of San Diego has a commitment to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion, which supports our values of Integrity, Stewardship, and Commitment to excellence. Having an inclusive workforce means you can be comfortable as you work, secure in the knowledge that you have an employer who values you and values those things that make you, you!
The Civil Engineer Position:
The purpose of this recruitment is to establish a six (6) month eligible list to fill current and future vacancies in the County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) Wastewater Management Section.
Civil Engineers in the Wastewater Management Program have professional responsibility for a wide variety of engineering projects in support of the San Diego County Sanitation District as well as other municipal water and wastewater utilities operated by the County of San Diego Department of Public Works. Civil Engineers lead the planning, design, and construction management of water and wastewater infrastructure including pipelines, pump stations, treatment plants and ancillary equipment and facilities. Duties may include performing complex engineering calculations, modeling, and studies; preparing and reviewing construction plans and specifications; performing contract administration; performing construction management and inspections; performing technical and financial analysis; preparing and reviewing technical reports; performing regulatory permit management; and performing other related duties as assigned. Civil Engineers may lead groups of professionals and supervise technical staff and work closely with field operations staff.
Hiring Process and Timeline:
- Job Offer and Background Process begins after interviews. Note: Current County employees may be excluded from additional background screening.
- Pre-employment Medical Screening: Approximately 3 days following successful background investigation results.
- Anticipated Start Date: Start date will be based upon successful completion of medical screening or other mutually agreed upon date.
- If you are not selected for this interview process, you may have the opportunity to compete for future vacancies.
Work Schedule:
The current vacancies for Civil Engineer may be assigned to work a hybrid schedule. This schedule may consist of teleworking or working remotely and working in office as well as in the field as needed.
Ideal Candidate Profile:
The ideal candidate for Civil Engineer will possess the following experience, attributes, and traits:
- Demonstrate proven professional level experience as a civil engineer
- Demonstrate a high degree of motivation
- Demonstrate a strong willingness to continually learn and grow professionally
- Maintain a professional perspective and objective demeanor when varied situations occur
- Review and handle complex projects involving several functional groups
- Communicate effectively in verbal and written form
- Good listener
- Learn and understand the perspectives of others, and embrace diversity and inclusiveness
- Demonstrate good interpersonal and teamwork skills, including building relationships and collaborating with others in order to keep projects moving in a positive direction
If you believe that you possess these qualities, then the County of San Diego would be an ideal place for your talent and career growth. The County of San Diego has a great culture that values collaboration and teamwork.
Minimum Qualifications:
Qualified applicants must possess registration by the State of California as a Professional Engineer.
Note: Extensive experience in planning, design, and/or construction of water and wastewater infrastructure is highly desirable.
Reflecting our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent, all candidates hired for this position will be eligible to receive an annual base salary of $136,177.60
Future Salary Increases:
** June 2026 – 4.57% increase to base pay (3.5% Across-the-Board + 1.07% Market Adjustment)
** June 2027 – 4.07% increase to base pay (3% Across-the-Board + 1.07% Market Adjustment)
The following additional pay incentives and premiums are available:
** New Hire Lateral Incentive Pay – Candidates who have experience as a Civil Engineer in a public agency are eligible for up to a maximum of $5,000
** 5% Engineer Premium (applied to time worked)
** $1,250 Recruitment Bonus
** Additional $1,250 Bonus after successful completion of the probation period