Assistant Engineer (Office of Transportation)

Job Description:

Assistant Engineer (Office of Transportation)

Description

Description

Build your engineering career while helping create safer, more connected streets.
About the Opportunity

The City of Palo Alto’s Office of Transportation is seeking an Assistant Engineer to support street design, signage and striping, and parking and curb management. This entry-level role combines technical analysis, creative problem-solving, and public service through projects that shape how people move through the city.

With guidance from experienced colleagues, you’ll gain hands-on experience in both office and field settings. Your work could include developing a street design concept, studying neighborhood traffic conditions, evaluating parking needs, or preparing maps that help residents understand a proposed improvement. You’ll learn how engineering decisions move from data and ideas to practical solutions.
About the Office of Transportation
The Office of Transportation brings together transportation planning, traffic engineering, Safe Routes to School education, parking programs, and transit planning. For an engineer beginning their career, this means opportunities to explore different aspects of transportation and discover where your interests can grow.

You’ll join a team whose work spans neighborhood traffic calming, bicycle and pedestrian connections, street safety improvements, and downtown parking technology. Working across disciplines in a small-city setting, you’ll see how individual assignments connect to larger projects and community goals.

With a strong slate of upcoming projects and affiliate membership in the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), the office offers a setting where you can contribute ideas, broaden your experience, and see the impact of your work.

What You’ll Work On

• Street improvements: Assist with street design concepts, signage, and striping.
  
• Parking and curb management: Help evaluate parking conditions and support program improvements.
  
• Data and analysis: Conduct traffic counts, speed and parking studies, and interpret findings.
  
• Visual communication: Prepare concept drawings, maps, and presentation materials.
  
• Community response: Help address transportation questions and concerns from residents.
  
• Project support: Assist with studies, consultant coordination, and project implementation.
  

The Ideal Candidate
You’re curious about how streets work and interested in making transportation safer and more sustainable. You enjoy examining a problem, exploring design options, and explaining your ideas clearly. You’re also ready to listen, ask questions, and build your skills with guidance.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• An analytical mindset and an interest in using data to inform decisions.
  
• Design and visual communication skills that help turn ideas into understandable concepts.
  
• A collaborative approach and comfort working on a variety of assignments.
  
• A service-oriented attitude when communicating with residents, consultants, and colleagues.
  
• Initiative and a willingness to learn, including openness to feedback and new perspectives.
  

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, knowledge of signal operations or Complete Streets design, and experience with AutoCAD or GIS are preferred, but not required.
Apply Today
Ready to put your engineering skills into practice? Join us in shaping safer, more connected streets in Palo Alto. If you’re curious, collaborative, and eager to learn, we encourage you to apply!

Applications close Sunday, October 18, 2026. Apply early to give yourself time to complete your application.

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions: Positions allocated to this level in the Utilities Department, Water-Gas-Wastewater Engineering Section may perform the following duties:

• Works with the public to provide utility customer service for water, gas, and wastewater utilities.
  
• Works with contractors and the department's construction crews to coordinate the installation of the City's utilities distribution, collection, and service facilities.
  
• Performs design work and works with draftspersons engaged in the preparation of complete improvement projects of more difficult types.
• Writes and reviews utility department specifications and reviews plans to ensure conformance with standards and specification.
  
• Writes reports, prepares estimates, and conducts studies in connection with various engineering projects.

Essential Functions: Positions allocated to this level in the Public Works/Operations Division or Public Works Engineering Division may perform the following:

• Develops design and operational procedures for landfill that meets all regulatory requirements.
  
• May assist project manager for landfill phase-out design and implementation which includes: scheduling; cost estimating; and presentation of materials for approval by department and City Manager; analysis of equipment needs; development of operational procedures and training programs for employees.
  
• Observe and inspect project during construction; may need to observe construction in various areas including soft soil or upper levels of new building construction.
  
• In conjunction with other City staff, develops and explores new concepts and ideas related to pavement management and solid waste management.
  
• Assists in preparing the Division's operating budget, quarterly reports, and other related reports required by various agencies; develops and prepares management information system to monitor and control operation.
  
• Assists in the preparation of designs, specifications, plans, estimates, and reports for projects.
  
• Prepares computerized data with respect to Assessment District proceedings and Capital Improvement Projects.
  
• Utilizes computer in administering construction contracts; prepares monthly progress payments, contract change orders, interpretation of project with plans and specifications, coordinates final inspection and job closeout.
  
• Utilizes computer in monitoring the project budget including revisions, budget allocations, and assures full value received.
  
• Acts as liaison with and controls professional services of consultants on conceptual design, working drawings, and specifications and estimates.

Positions allocated to this level in Transportation may perform the following:

• Performs professional level, transportation planning and engineering tasks for assigned activities, projects, and programs.
  
• Assists in conducting special studies and/or in the execution and implementation of special projects.

Essential Functions:

• Works with public groups and individuals to resolve community concerns regarding the transportation system.
  
• Develops solutions to traffic and/or transportation problems and deficiencies in a professional and cost-effective manner.
  
• Studies and evaluates street designs and design proposals, safety and accident record data, traffic and parking information.
  
• Conducts traffic counts, speed studies, travel time studies, parking studies, and analyzes and interprets data.
  
• Maintains traffic engineer maps and information systems.

Related Functions:

• Participates in consultant selection.
  
• Assists in managing consultant contracts.
  
• May assist in performing inspections during peak periods.
  
• Assists in the preparation of the utility's annual budget and capital improvement program.
  
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

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 traffic engineering or other approved engineering curriculum depending upon area of assignment.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License

Supplemental Information

The Selection Process:

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
  
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time after the posting closes.
  
• The screening process for this position typically may include a virtual recorded interview and/or panel interviews preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
  

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.

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union (SEIU).

Compensation (SEIU) : Comprehensive compensation plan, to learn more click HERE.

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.

See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 10/18/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$123,947.20 - $151,611.20 Annually