Senior Civil Engineer - Traffic Operations

Join The City Of Orange As A Senior Civil Engineer!

This position is open until filled and can close at any time without notice. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply immediately. The next review of applications will take place on July 14, 2025.

Under general direction, plans, schedules, assigns, and reviews the work of professional engineering staff within the Public Works Department; serves as project manager for complex professional engineering activities including environmental program planning and compliance, design, construction, land development engineering, traffic engineering, water resources engineering, and other programs; ensures that functions meet all applicable laws, regulations, and City policies related to the City's Capital Improvement Program (CIP), land development, traffic and transportation, and water utility infrastructure; provides complex staff assistance to departmental management staff in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

If assigned to the Traffic Division, the current vacancy is in the Traffic Operations Division in the Public Works Department, responsible for traffic signals and street lighting, including, but not limited to, oversight of the Traffic Management Center (TMC), fiber optic communications system, and the position will have engineering responsibilities including traffic signal timing, traffic signal design and construction, street light design and construction, TMC and communications systems management, project and contract management. The position also oversees preventive and corrective maintenance programs for city-owned electrical infrastructure including approximately 8,000 streetlights, parking lot lighting, 158 traffic signals, and numerous beacon systems, and associated underground conduit.

Receives general direction from assigned management staff. Exercises general and direct supervision over assigned staff.

Examples Of Duties

Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of professional engineering staff in the Public Works Department; trains staff in work procedures; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; assists in selection and promotion.

Monitors activities of the work unit; recommends improvements and modifications and prepares various reports on activities and projects; recommends and assists in the implementation of goals and objectives; implements policies and procedures.

Determines and recommends staffing needs for assigned activities and projects; participates in the annual budget preparation; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications, as required; maintains a variety of records and prepares routine reports of work performance.

Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposal for professional and/or construction services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; negotiates and administers contracts after award; ensures contractor compliance with City standards and specifications, time and budget estimates; analyzes and resolves complex problems that may arise; recommends and approves field changes as required.

Conducts CIP planning activities; provides oversight and input into conceptual designs of engineering projects; investigates and resolves problems with scope of work or cost issues of major facility upgrade and replacement projects; ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget.

Monitors rail programs proposed by other agencies and authorities that affect the City; pursues grant opportunities for improvements in rail crossings protection programs; issues work orders to make changes to existing roadway systems to improve safety and capacity.

Analyzes civil engineering plan design, specifications, consultant and staff comments in accordance with design requirements and municipal and intergovernmental standards and regulations; recommends approval or additional engineering conditions and changes.

Meets and confers with contractors, engineers, developers, architects, a variety of outside agencies, and the general public in acquiring information and coordinating engineering matters; provides information regarding City development requirements.

Responds to and resolves various issues with residents, other department representatives, and outside agencies in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.

Serves as a liaison for an assigned functional area with other City departments, divisions, and outside agencies; attends meetings, as necessary; participates on a variety of boards, commissions, committees, and task forces; attends and participates in professional groups and committees; stays abreast of new trends and innovations.

Conducts a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; assists in developing policies and procedures such as procedure guidelines, design standards, and standard plans and specifications while ensuring that operation and maintenance, financial, regulatory and legal requirements are met.

Develops and reviews staff reports related to engineering activities and services; may present information to the City Council and various commissions, committees and boards; performs a variety of public relations and outreach work related to assigned activities.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Basic principles and practices of budget development, administration, and accountability.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering as applied to the planning, design, cost estimating, construction, installation, and inspection of a wide variety of municipal facilities, miscellaneous buildings and structures, and traffic and transportation systems.
• Civil and transportation engineering principles, concepts, standards, and practices associated with public works programs and private development projects.
• Principles and practices of environmental impact assessment and related regulatory processes.
• Methods, materials and techniques used in the construction of public works projects.
• Contract management practices in a public agency setting.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, codes, regulations, and procedures, including Subdivision Map Act and subdivision agreements and conveyances.
• Practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting effective staff reports.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned functional area.
• Safety principles and practices.
• Record keeping principles and procedures.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for effectively representing the City in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups and various business, professional, educational, regulatory and legislative organizations.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.

Ability to:

• Assist in developing and implementing goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Supervise, train, plan, organize, schedule, assign, review, and evaluate the work of staff.
• Conduct complex civil engineering research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations and prepare effective technical reports.
• Analyze and interpret engineering plans and specifications in accordance with design requirements and applicable standards and regulations.
• Manage and monitor complex projects, on-time and within budget.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures and other written materials.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize and present administrative and technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations, technical written material, and City engineering policies and procedures.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations and in meetings with individuals.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• 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.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious 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:

• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related engineering field and five (5) years of responsible experience in civil engineering with at least one (1) year of supervisory experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Valid California class C driver's license with satisfactory driving record and automobile insurance.
• Possess and maintain a valid certificate or registration as a Professional Engineer