Engineering Assistant/Assistant Engineer/Associate Engineer

The Position

The City of Ontario reserves the right, if necessary, to close the recruitment at any time and without notice. As such, applicants are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

Looking for a rewarding opportunity to serve a growing community? The City of Ontario's Engineering Department has an exciting opportunity to join the City's team. The successful candidate will be hired as an Engineering Assistant, Assistant Engineer or Associate Engineer depending on her or his qualifications for the position and the needs of the department. Incumbents will have the ability to promote to the Assistant or Associate Engineer classifications as they gain additional experience and required certificate.
The Engineering Department

The City of Ontario Engineering Department, under the direction of the City Engineer, serves the needs of the citizens of Ontario by providing professional engineering services to the community and City government. The Department is dedicated to maintaining the highest level of customer service and responsiveness which serves to characterize a business-friendly environment in serving our community. The Department is charged with the oversight, planning, designing, and implementation of infrastructure projects and the planning and permitting of all work within the public right-of-way.
The City of Ontario

The City of Ontario is a dynamic leading community in the Inland Empire with a variety of full-time and part-time employment and volunteer opportunities. Ontario enjoys the reputation of being a progressive City which provides solid leadership to its citizens and to the business community. The City provides a full range of services to the community including; Police, Fire, Management Services, Community Life & Culture, Community Development, Public Works, Financial Services and the Ontario Municipal Utilities Company. The City's team is staffed with approximately 1,500 full-time and 300 part-time diverse and talented employees who work to support a common goal of providing excellent service to the community.

We invite you to learn more about the City of Ontario by reviewing the City's website. A few useful links are also listed below:

Approach to Public Service (Download PDF reader) (Core values for City of Ontario employees)

Ontario City Employees (Information about City of Ontario benefit plans)

The Ontario Plan (The City's Comprehensive Business Plan for Development)

Examples of Essential Functions

The following essential functions are typically performed by the Engineering Assistant classification:

• Designs and drafts construction plans and prepares specifications for water, sewer, street, etc.
• May oversee the work of subordinate technical support personnel.
• Provides assistance to the public; respond to inquiries and provide information regarding property descriptions, location, and property surveys; calculate fees.
• Prepares City Council memoranda, ordinances, resolutions, easement vacations, improvement agreements, reimbursement agreements and construction quantity estimates.
• Conducts traffic studies and analysis including observing traffic patterns, taking traffic counts, and turning movements.
• Reviews proposed residential, commercial and industrial development.
• Assists with conducting assigned surveys for variety of areas in Engineering.
• Verifies for accuracy mathematical check of maps and plans.
• Checks site plans and tentative and final subdivision maps for compliance with Subdivision Map Act and city codes.
• Prepares simple illustrations, charts and graphs.
• May serve as project engineer of public works projects under some direction, supervision and review by others.
• Performs recurring engineering department functional tasks.

The following essential functions are typically performed by the Assistant Engineer classification:

• Assists with project construction management and administration.
• Plans, coordinates, and oversees the work of consultants; explains procedures, checks work for conformance with standards, and resolves procedural and policy questions; administers professional service contracts.
• Represents the City at a variety of meetings.
• Coordinates with state, county, utility companies, and other agencies for project and construction approval.
• Assists in the preparation and review of engineering plans, specifications and legal documents, correspondences, reports and proposals.
• May provide lead direction to clerical and/or technical staff.
• Serves as liaison for the City to private engineers, surveyors, developers, other public agency employees and engineers, and the general public.
• Assists in administering State and Federal grant funding applications.
• Coordinates, manages, and designs land development, traffic, municipal utility and capital improvement projects.
• Serves as project manager on right-of-way engineering preparation and processing.

• Assists with the operation and maintenance of City traffic signal systems; assists with the designs of traffic signal, streetlight, and signing and striping installations for the City; conducts a variety of traffic related studies and prepares reports; issues related permits; maintains a variety of traffic related data; reviews a variety of invoices for accuracy and issue payment authorization.

• Assists in developing needs assessments for the upgrade, repair, and replacement of water and sewer infrastructure projects and facilities, including developing recommendations for Capital Improvement Programs, budgets, and schedules.
• Implements recycled water and conservation programs.
• Inspects project sites as needed to resolve less complex issues and assist in the solution of difficult problems; interprets specifications and City policy; reviews and recommends change orders as appropriate.
• Assists with supervising the development of design plans, specifications, and estimates for the construction of water production, storage, treatment and distribution projects and sewer collection projects.
• Prepares and reviews hydraulic modeling and water quality analysis of the water and wastewater systems.
• Provides technical support to utility operations and maintenance activities.

The following essential functions are typically performed by the Associate Engineer classification:

• Supervises, trains, and evaluates the work of sub-professional, technical, and clerical staff.
• Coordinates and manages land development and public works projects.
• Serves as office engineer on right-of-way engineering preparation and processing.
• Participates in project construction management and administration.
• Coordinates with state, county, utility companies, and other agencies for project approval and construction.
• Serves as liaison for the designated official to private engineers, surveyors, developers, other public agency employees and engineers, and the general public.
• Represents the City at a variety of meetings.
• Prepares and reviews engineering and legal documents; and supervises, prepares, or reviews a variety of correspondence, reports, and proposals.
• Administers agreements and contracts including design, construction, participation, and use.
• Plans, coordinates, and oversees the work of consultants; explains procedures, checks work for conformance with standards, and resolves procedural and policy questions; administers professional service contracts.
• Prepares and processes City Council Agenda items for presentation by the designated official.

• Review and comment on historical documents, environmental documents, contracts, agreements, agenda reports, and proposed projects of outside agencies to address key issues impacting the City, in regard to water resources.
• Represent the City by participating in local and regional meetings and related activities.
• Manage long-range water resources studies and planning investigations related to groundwater basin management and optimization, groundwater development, groundwater rights, water quality, recycled water, recharge, and conservation.
• Prepare and manage the preparation of technical studies related to water resources planning, such as Urban Water Management Plans and Water Supply Assessments.
• Collect, analyze, and package periodic data reporting to outside agencies.
• Coordinate with State and Federal regulatory agencies; and, outside agencies and/or entities (USFW, DDW, RWQCB, Watermaster, surrounding water agencies, and alike).

• Conducts needs assessments for the upgrade, repair, and replacement of water and sewer infrastructure projects and facilities, including developing recommendations for Capital Improvement Programs, budgets, and schedules; supervises the development of design plans, specifications, and estimates for the construction of utilities projects in compliance with appropriate laws, ordinances, and guidelines; inspects project sites as needed to assist in the solution of difficult problems; interprets specifications and City policy; reviews and recommends change orders as appropriate; prepares grant funding applications and administers grant reimbursement agreements.

• Maintains and operates the City's traffic signal system and Transportation Management Center; designs and reviews traffic signal, street light, and signing and striping installations for the City; conducts a variety of traffic related studies including traffic impact studies; maintains a variety of traffic related data and issues reports and related permits; reviews a variety of invoices for accuracy and issues payment authorization; reviews transportation land use models for accuracy and interprets outputs to determine roadway infrastructure needs.

Qualification Guidelines

Engineering Assistant

Education

Associate's Degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university, or equivalent engineering experience and sufficient technical education to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

NOTE: Proof of Associate's Degree or higher in Civil Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative at, or before, time of the reference check process. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degree/Certifications.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in professional Civil Engineering work. A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required experience.

Licenses

Valid California Class C Driver's License.

Desirable

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field from an accredited college or university. Related municipal engineering experience.

Advancement

Typically an Engineering Assistant may be considered for advancement to Assistant Engineer upon the recommendation of the Department Head after a performance evaluation review, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications and demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform at the Assistant Engineer level.

Assistant Engineer

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related from an accredited college or university.

NOTE: Proof of Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative at, or before, time of the reference check process. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degree/Certifications.

Experience

Two (2) years of experience in professional Civil Engineering work.

Licenses

Valid California Class C Driver's License.

Certifications

Engineer-in-Training Certificate issued by the State of California preferable.

Desirable

Municipal engineering experience. Knowledge of AutoCAD and/or ArcGIS is highly desirable. Technical writing skills.

Advancement

Typically an Assistant Engineer may be promoted to Associate Engineer upon recommendation of the Department Head after a performance evaluation review, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications and demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform at the Associate Engineer level.

Associate Engineer

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.

NOTE: Proof of Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited college or university must be provided by way of attachment to your online application or as an email attachment sent to the Hiring Agency Representative at, or before, time of the reference check process. Acceptable forms of proof include Unofficial Transcripts, Official Transcripts, Photos and/or Photocopies of Institutional Degree/Certifications.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience in professional civil engineering work.

Licenses

Valid California Class C driver's license.

Certifications

Possession of an Engineer-in-Training Certificate issued by the State of California. A copy of your certificate must be attached to your application.

Desirable

If assigned to the Municipal Utilities Company- Utilities Engineering Department: Experience working with hydraulic modeling software; knowledge of Microsoft Project is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply

Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" link at the top of this announcement. If this is the first time applying for a position using governmentjobs.com you will be prompted to create a new user account, otherwise log in with your user name and password. Your application and responses to any supplemental questions will be used to evaluate your qualifications for this position. It is suggested that your application include the following:

A resume may be attached to your application but will not substitute for the proper completion of your application. Applications that are not properly completed may be rejected.

Supplemental Questions

To complete your application for this position you will be prompted to respond to supplemental questions. This information will be used as part of the application screening and selection process and is designed to help you present your qualifications for this position. This may include a selection step in which your application and supplemental questions are reviewed and scored by a panel of raters familiar with this position.

Incomplete responses, false statements, omission, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Your responses should be consistent with the information provided on your application.

Please provide succinct, concise, descriptive, and detailed information for each question. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.

Email Notices

Email is the primary way that the Human Resources or Hiring Department will communicate with you. Please check your email account (including the SPAM folder) on a regular basis for any emails related to the application or selection process. Emails from the city of Ontario will come from "@ci.ontario.ca.us" or "governmentjobs.com." If you change your email address after submitting your application please visit governmentjobs.com and update your profile.

• List any relevant experience and education that demonstrates that you qualify for the position.
• List all periods of employment for at least the past 10 years, beginning with your most recent or present employer (including if applicable, all employment with the City of Ontario).
• Separately list each position held, including different positions with the same employer.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any additional questions regarding the application process, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions page.

The City of Ontario values the health and wellness of our employees and their families. We understand benefits are an important part of your total compensation and we take pride in offering a comprehensive benefit package. Please check out our excellent benefit packages here www.ontariocityemployees.org.

Employees in this classification are represented by Teamsters Local 1932.