Associate Engineer Watershed Protection

Job Description:

Associate Engineer Watershed Protection

Description

Description

The City of Palo Alto Watershed Protection Group is hiring an Associate Engineer!
This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on a variety of projects relating to water quality protection and wastewater treatment.

The ideal candidate is a motivated individual who is excited by scientific challenges and is willing to undertake a variety of tasks that might include pre-designs, planning evaluations, optimization studies, regulatory submittals and negotiations, sampling, analyzing data, writing reports, and conducting presentations.

They would possess the following skills:

• Familiarity with water/wastewater treatment, wastewater-related regulations, and local water quality issues
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Experience with contract and project management, including contract development and ongoing communications with contractors

This position works with the Watershed Protection Group and Regional Water Quality Control Plant staff, consultants, and contractors to support regulatory tracking, compliance, optimization, and resource recovery.

This position focuses on regulatory compliance and planning studies for the wastewater treatment plant. In addition, this position will work on developing and implementing programs including the Recycled Water Program and Pretreatment Program.

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

Essential Duties

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

• Prepares designs, specifications, plans, estimates, and reports for projects of moderate complexity.
  
  
• Works with technical staff in preparing reports and designs.
  
  
• Conducts research and special investigations including highly complex and/or sensitive technical topics. This work includes composition of reports, preparation of presentations, and submittal of reports to regulatory agencies.
  
  
• Analyzes large quantities of data for trends, potential sources of pollutants, determining the wastewater treatment plant’s compliance with environmental standards and requirements, and potential impacts to the treatment plant or Bay.
  
  
• Oversees and coordinates the work of consultants and contractors in performing specialized work for the City. This work includes monitoring work for compliance with scope of services, invoice processing, contract development, and guidance on work elements.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Participates in consultant selection.

To view the full job description, click here: ASSOCIATE ENGINEER

Please note that while the full job description applies to multiple positions throughout the city, this recruitment is for the Watershed Protection Group (Public Works Department).

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, chemical, environmental, mechanical, traffic or other approved engineering curriculum, depending upon area of assignment

and

• Two years related engineering experience
  (Note: Master's Degree or registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California may be considered in lieu of one year's experience.)

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License

Supplemental Information

Position Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively with others and to assimilate and understand information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions
  
  
• Excellent communication skills, particularly the ability to communicate technical information to a variety of audiences in writing and in presentations
  
  
• Ability to work effectively with others and to be flexible in work assignments
  
  
• Ability to understand and communicate complex water quality and air issues to audiences with varying technical backgrounds
  
  
• Ability to plan and manage multiple projects simultaneously
  
  
• Ability to read technical permits and understand compliance requirements
  
  
• Ability to plan and complete special studies, including development of hypotheses, collection of samples, data analysis, and report composition
  
  

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
Work in an office environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; assist contractors and professionals.

One or more positions may also be filled from this posting.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO). In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), 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: 9/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$132,683.20 - $162,489.60 Annually