Senior Civil Engineer (Traffic Engineering)

Job Description:

Senior Civil Engineer (Traffic Engineering)

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

SENIOR CIVIL ENGINEER

(Traffic Engineering)

SALARY INFORMATION
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment is open to the public and is being held to establish an eligible list to fill current and future Senior Civil Engineer positions within OC Public Works and/or other County of Orange agencies. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on
Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PT)

OC PUBLIC WORKS
OC Public Works (OCPW) provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through the sustainable delivery of projects and services. OC Public Works’ guiding principles are safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and adaptability.

OCPW is a unique County department comprised of ten (10) service areas: Administrative Services, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures; OC Construction; OC Development Services; OC Environmental Resources; OC Facilities Design & Construction and CUF; OC Facilities Maintenance; OC Fleet Services ; OC Infrastructure Programs; OC Operations & Maintenance.

For more information on OC Public Works, click here .

For more information on the County of Orange, click here .

THE OPPORTUNITY
OCPW is currently seeking experienced and licensed engineers for Senior Civil Engineer positions. The Senior Civil Engineer is distinguished from Civil Engineers by their full supervisory responsibility of a section or unit of professional or technical staff who is responsible for complex engineering assignments.

This immediate vacancy is within the Traffic Engineering team, which is a group of skilled engineers, engineers-in-training, and project managers. In this role, the main responsibilities include performing traffic investigations and engineering studies, as well as reviewing, planning, designing, and/or managing transportation engineering projects.

The primary job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead traffic signal and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) design
• Analyze traffic data and conduct traffic volume studies, capacity analyses, and safety evaluations
• Develop and optimize signal timing plans
• Coordinate with public agencies, clients, and citizen groups
• Manage & troubleshoot ITS systems, including dynamic message signs (DMS), CCTV cameras, and traffic controllers
• Mentor staff and oversee project budgets and schedules
• Monitor traffic conditions and support incident response

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & CORE COMPETENCIES
The ideal candidate will possess experience demonstrating the principles of Traffic Engineering and possess a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil & Traffic Engineer issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.

LICENSE/ CERTIFICATIONS REQUIRED
Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California Department of Consumer Affairs Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License (Class C or higher) is required for this assignment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here for a complete description of the Senior Civil Engineer classification.

In addition to the above, the most successful candidates will possess the following knowledge and core competencies:

Technical Expertise & Knowledge

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of Civil & Traffic Engineering
• Working knowledge of County of Orange regulations, standards, and details
• Preparing accurate engineering computations, estimates, and notes, and performing moderate to complex mathematical calculations
• Experience in field data collection, such as speed surveys and traffic counts
• Reading and preparing signing and striping plans, signal plans, and traffic control plans
• Reading and preparing traffic study reports and transportation planning documents
• Reading and interpreting topographic maps and tract maps
• Strong experience with software programs such as GIS, AutoCAD, Trans CAD, VISSIM, and Synchro/Sim traffic
• Computer-literate with demonstrated knowledge of MS-Office applications and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) programs
• Working knowledge of the operation and management of a Traffic Management Center (TMC)

Problem Solving & Analytical Skills

• Experienced in identifying problems, solving them, acting decisively, and showing good judgment
• Isolating causes from symptoms and compiling information and alternatives to evaluate problems or issues
• Involving others as appropriate and gathering information from a variety of sources
• Finding a balance between studying the problem and solving it
• Listening carefully and communicating concern through tone of voice and by taking action to solve problems in a timely manner

Communication/Interpersonal Skills

• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to clearly and concisely convey technical and/or complex information to a diverse workgroup
• Ability to draft and interpret technical reports and memos
• Demonstrate a high degree of motivation and willingness to learn
• Maintain a professional perspective and objective demeanor when varied situations occur
• Review and handle complex projects involving several functional groups
• Recognize and embrace the value of safety both in the field and in the office
• Team player who can maintain effective working relationships with fellow County employees, as well as consultants and contractors of the Department

Leadership Skills

• Experience in training and directing subordinate staff.
• Ability to oversee and review the work of others, such as engineers who perform reviews of technical studies and reports.
• Ability to foster a team atmosphere and reward collaboration.
• Ability to effectively motivate others to promote productivity and efficiency.
• Ability to evaluate subordinate staff and identify performance issues.
• Leading a high-performance, results-oriented team to implement organizational goals while balancing competing needs and objectives.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Utilizes tact and diplomacy in dealing with difficult and sensitive situations while displaying departmental and/or County perspective in handling the issues/situation.
• Continuously seeks innovative ways to improve processes.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer): Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates that meet the qualifications as listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview (Weighted 100%)
Candidates will be interviewed and rated by job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of structured questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on the eligible list.

Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com .

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

Questions? For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Rose Nguyen at 714-667-9699 or by email at [email protected]

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 7/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$150,134.40 - $171,974.40 Annually