Engineer I/II - Environmental Services Department

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San José.

Our department is an exceptional place to start or grow your career. We have a supportive leadership team, numerous professional growth opportunities, and an inclusive workplace culture that is welcoming of your talents! We offer an array of meaningful career paths and value flexibility. Additionally, the City offers excellent health and pension benefits, as well as 15 paid holidays!

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on X (formally Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and San Jose Environmental Services on LinkedIn.

About the Water Resources Division

The Water Resources Division is comprised of three sections: Municipal Water System, South Bay Water Recycling, and Operations and Maintenance. The Water Resources Division provides potable water service through the Municipal Water System to the communities of Evergreen, North San José/Alviso, Edenvale, and Coyote Valley. The Water Resources Division also provides recycled water service through the South Bay Water Recycling system to the cities of San José, Santa Clara, and Milpitas. South Bay Water Recycling includes 143 miles of pipeline and facilities, including four pump stations, three reservoirs, and Retail Agency Operations and Maintenance activities for over 800 individual customer connections. In addition, the Water Resources Division also leads water conservation efforts for the City of San José.

Position Duties

The Environmental Services Department's Water Resources Division is currently seeking to fill two (2) Engineer I/II positions in the Municipal Water System section. The Municipal Water System section is responsible for system operation and maintenance engineering support, water quality program management, new development support, water conservation, construction inspection, and design and construction of Municipal Water System pipelines and facilities. These positions are located at the Municipal Water System (MWS) office, at 3025 Tuers Road, San José, CA 95121.

General Overview of the Engineer I/II Job Classification

The Engineer I/II position performs a variety of professional civil engineering work of moderate difficulty in the field of water supply and distribution, under the direction of an Associate Engineer.

Responsibilities typically include:

• Work collaboratively in a group or team environment and communicate clearly and effectively.
  
• Interact and coordinate with, and provide excellent customer service to customers (both individual homeowners and commercial), engineers, inspectors, consultants, contractors, local agencies, citizen groups, general public, other City Departments and other employees of the water system (e.g. billing, operations and maintenance).
  
• Explain technical subjects and City processes and procedures to non-technical stakeholders (such as developers and homeowners).
  
• Prepare a variety of correspondences and reports.
  
• Perform field investigation.
  
• Perform a range of work in the field of design, project management or construction project management.
  
• Prepare, design, review and interpret designs, improvement plans, estimates, specifications, and contract documents for conformance to established standards for capital improvement projects.
  
• Lead technical staff in preparing plans and specs for water system improvements in preparation for competitive bid.
  
• Initiate and coordinate the project bid process.
  
• Administer construction activities such as inspection, RFI response and payment processing.
  
• Review invoices from on-call contractors for accuracy and completeness.
  
• Process invoices/pay letters, change orders and submittals.
  
• Provide support to Associate Engineer and other team members as needed.
  

Current Engineer I/II Vacancies

Descriptions for the two (2) vacant Engineer I/II positions in the Municipal Water System section are below:

Water Quality Position

The water quality position is responsible for distribution system water quality and compliance, technical analysis and reporting, public engagement and investigations related to water quality inquiries. The position also helps implement the Capital Improvement Program, performing design and construction managing of capital improvement projects while also providing engineering support to the development and operations and maintenance programs as needed.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensure the water distribution system complies with federal, state, local and other applicable water quality standards.
  
• Develop and manage sampling plans for the water distribution system and supply sources.
  
• Analyze water age and hydraulic patterns to optimize flushing programs and storage tank turnover to maintain water quality.
  
• Evaluate laboratory results and data from the SCADA system to identify trends, water quality anomalies, or potential contamination events.
  
• Prepare the annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) and other mandatory technical reports for the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB).
  
• Respond to and investigate water quality complaints from residents, providing technical explanations and implementing corrective actions.
  

Development Position

The development position will provide customer service, plan review, coordination and inspection related support to the Municipal Water System development program. This program works with homeowners, developers and contractors to construct and upgrade potable and recycled water infrastructure for private developments within the service area. The position will also implement the Capital Improvement Program, performing design and construction managing of capital improvement projects, while also providing engineering support to the water quality and operations and maintenance programs as needed.

Responsibilities include:

• Assist homeowners, developers and contractors through all stages of the City permitting and inspection process for new and upgraded water services.
  
• Maintain an excellent working knowledge of applicable state and local laws, as well as City standards, and apply these to practical underground utility engineering and construction problems, both during design and in the field during construction.
  
• Provide plan review comments for new projects utilizing knowledge of system hydraulics, capacity, City standards and policies and acceptable construction techniques and materials.
  
• Work closely with technical and inspection staff to make sure water supply is not a roadblock for development projects within the service area, while ensuring that applicable regulations and standards are adhered to.
  
• Perform calculations to assess water related fees for projects, following the City’s Municipal Code.
  
• Review and make subject-matter-expert recommendations concerning proposed projects and resolve disputes between contractors, inspectors, developers, utilities, and consultants
  
• Work with operations group and technical staff to update standards as needed to ensure continued long-term reliability of the water distribution system.
  

An Engineering degree in Civil, Mechanical, Environmental, or other similar engineering field is desirable.

Possession of a California Water Resources Control Board Water Distribution (D) Operator and/or Water Treatment (T) Operator certification(s) is desirable.

Salary Information:

The salary ranges for the Engineer I/II classifications are:

• Engineer I: $104,133.12 - $131,760.72
• Engineer II: $118,067.04 - $149,451.12

The salary ranges include an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable compensation. The actual salary shall be determined by the final candidates’ qualifications and experience.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Engineer I

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in the required professional engineering designation (Civil, Mechanical, Environmental, or other similar engineering field) or possession of an Engineering-In-Training (EIT) certificate.

Engineer II

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in the required professional engineering designation (Civil, Mechanical, Environmental, or other similar engineering field) or possession of an Engineering-In-Training (EIT) certificate AND one (1) year of increasingly responsible professional engineering experience reviewing and preparing plans, estimates, and specifications.

Acceptable Substitution

Certificate of successful completion of the Engineer-In-Training examination issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists may be substituted for the required education.

Required Licensing: Possession of a valid State of California Class C driver’s license.

If selected, the Conditional Offer of Employment may be contingent upon you providing proof of a valid State of California driver’s license, and an assessment of your California DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) as per the DMV Release of Driver Record Information form. Failure to pass the DMV Pull Notice assessment will deem you ineligible for employment.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history.

Job Expertise - Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies and federal and state rules and regulations.

Initiative - Exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promotes job performance.

Problem Solving - Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem; collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Customer Service - Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently using professional demeanor.

Project Management - Ensures support for projects and implements agency goals and strategic objectives.

Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Communication Skills - Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Selection Process:

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to all the job specific questions. Only those candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions, the selection or hiring processes, please contact Adrienne Pea at Adrienne.Pea@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 4/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

Show more