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Job Description
Description
The Public Works Regional Water Quality Control Plant (RWQCP) is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Project Engineer to lead complex civil, environmental, and mechanical engineering projects that support critical municipal infrastructure. In this role, the Project Engineer takes ownership of a wide range of assignments, applying technical expertise and independent judgment to manage projects from concept through completion. Serving as a Project Manager, the engineer develops engineering designs, cost estimates, and technical specifications while collaborating closely with the public, consultants, and internal teams to ensure the successful planning, operation, maintenance, and construction of utility systems and facilities.
The ideal candidate will bring a combination of technical expertise, project management experience, and a strong foundation in wastewater treatment to successfully lead and deliver complex projects. Key qualifications include:- Proven experience successfully executing complex projects within the Wastewater Treatment industry following industry standards and best practices
- Hands-on experience in all phases of Wastewater Treatment projects, including conceptual design, planning, detailed engineering, construction, commissioning, and startup
- Demonstrated experience managing Capital Improvement Programs from planning through completion
- Relevant engineering or related education with a strong foundation in wastewater processes and infrastructure
- Ability to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and coordination across teams
Benefits: Fantastic benefits package, to learn more click Here.
Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click Here.
Schedule: Hybrid 9/80 work schedule (with every other Friday off).
Depending on the applicant's qualifications, the position will be filled at the appropriate level/salary of eitherProject Engineer ($77.14/hr-$94.50/hr) or Engineer ($71.75/hr-$87.89/hr) based on qualifications.
*More than one position may be filled from this posting*
This position is represented by Service Employee International Union position (SEIU)
Essential Duties
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:- Conducts comprehensive utility engineering planning, design, and operational studies of the water, gas, and wastewater utilities systems.
- Performs design work including researching data, conducting feasibility and economic studies, and determining design criteria in accordance with required standards and codes for assigned projects in the water, gas, and wastewater utilities.
- Prepares project documents including project justifications, budget analyses, calculations, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and schedules for assigned utility projects in the water, gas, and wastewater utilities.
- Reviews and checks engineering drawings, plans, computations, estimates and reports for completeness, accuracy, and soundness of applied utility engineering principles and City utility standards and policies.
- Provides guidance and work supervision for other utility engineering and technical personnel as required by projects.
- Obtains required permits, easements, and other documents as required from inter-departments or outside agencies for assigned utility projects.
- Other duties as assigned.
To see full job description of Engineer, click Here.
Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:- Bachelor of Science degree in civil, mechanical, or other approved engineering curriculum depending upon assigned area.
AND- Equivalent to four years increasingly responsible engineering experience.
(Note: PE Certificate or Master's Degree in Engineering may be considered in lieu of one year of experience.)
Special Requirement for Project Engineer:- Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California, or ability to obtain registration within one year of appointment to the classification or registration as a professional architect in the State of California.
- Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Special Requirement for Engineer:- Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California required to attain top step in Engineer classification.
- Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Supplemental Information
The Selection Process:- Recruitment status notifications will be sent via email or text (please enroll in text alerts when applying).
- Updates can also be found on your governmentjobs.com account.
- Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time.
- The screening process for this position may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
Recruitment Timeline:- Minimum Qualifications Review: Ongoing
- Panel Interviews: Week of July 21, 2025
- Department Level Interviews: To be determined
Please note : The following dates are tentative and may change based on the needs of the hiring department.
Our online application system is provided by NeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.
The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
For more details visit our Careers Page, by clicking HERE.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.
Closing Date/Time: 7/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Palo Alto
Show morePalo Alto is located about 35 miles south of San Francisco; and 14 miles north of San Jose. Palo Alto, known as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley” and global center of technology and innovation, is the corporate headquarters for many world-class companies and research facilities such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, IDEO, Tesla, and Skype. Home to Stanford University and a top-ranked public school system, Palo Alto also features beautiful and historic residential neighborhoods, vibrant shopping and retail districts.
Palo Alto has a highly educated and culturally sophisticated citizenry that is actively engaged in making a difference both locally and globally. Unique among city organizations, Palo Alto operates a full-array of services including its own gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse and storm drainage provided at very competitive rates for its customers.
The birthplace of Silicon Valley, Palo Alto, is a community of approximately 68,000 residents and nearly 100,000 jobs. Located on the mid-Peninsula between San Francisco and San Jose, Palo Alto is recognized worldwide as a leader in cutting-edge technology, medicine, and green innovation. Many world-class businesses maintained or started offices here, including Amazon, Tesla, Hewlett Packard, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, Rivian, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, SAP Ariba, Houzz, Varian Medical Systems, and VMware. Numerous start-ups are also at home in Palo Alto, arguably making it the startup capital of the world.
Stanford University is foundational to the history and prestige of Palo Alto, reflected in the community’s dedication to life-long learning. Stanford’s cultural and educational offerings are integral to the vibrancy and charm of Palo Alto, while the City’s exceptional K-12 school district ranks among the top public school systems in the country. With more than 50% of adult residents holding a graduate degree or higher, Palo Alto is frequently listed as one of the most educated cities in the nation.
Home to picturesque tree-lined streets, bike lanes, and historic buildings that reflect its California heritage, Palo Alto boasts a genuine sense of community and an active citizenry with strong environmental values. Beautiful neighborhoods are complemented by vibrant commercial corridors and a bustling economy with premium shopping and dining options. Excellent health care facilities, performing arts, and diverse recreational opportunities are just some of this incredibly desirable community’s cherished amenities.
Join an Award Winning Team
Palo Alto is an award-winning City recognized nationwide as innovative and well-managed. Palo Alto is one of a small number of California cities with a AAA bond rating. Recently, Palo Alto became one of the most livable cities in the U.S. by Livability.com. It's the only city to receive the Platinum Beacon Award in sustainability best practices by California’s Institute for Local Government.
We offer a variety of career paths that relate to building and improving communities. The City has fourteen departments employing 1,000 full-time staff. Police officers, fire fighters, paramedics, and building inspectors keep us safe. Engineers and public works staff build and re-build the physical infrastructure. City planners help envision and shape future community growth. Recreation, arts and library professionals enhance community life. Utilities provides electric, gas, water, sewer and other services. Internal services departments help manage, staff, and protect the City.
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