Principal Engineer (Land Development)
The Principal Engineer in Land Development provides senior technical leadership and oversight for the review and delivery of private and public land development projects. This position serves as a technical resource to applicants, consultants, developers, and other stakeholders, ensuring that proposed projects comply with applicable codes, standards, ordinances, and engineering requirements. The Principal Engineer will oversee complex development reviews, provide guidance on engineering and infrastructure issues, coordinate with multiple municipal departments and outside agencies, and help establish consistent and effective review practices. The role also provides technical mentorship to engineering and development review staff and supports the municipality’s long-term goals for safe, sustainable, and well-planned growth.
Under general supervision, a Principal Engineer plans, organizes, integrates, and directs the activities and work of the Land Development Engineering Division within the Engineering Department, including the oversight of projects, staff, and operations; and performs related duties as assigned.
- Examples of Essential Functions
Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of an engineering division in the Engineering Department; with subordinate supervisors and staff, develops, implements, and monitors attainment of division goals and objectives; participates in the development of and monitors performance against the annual division budget; manages and directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of plans, policies, systems, and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives, and work standards; plans and evaluates the performance of staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and takes disciplinary action to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with the City’s Personnel rules, policies and labor contract provisions; manages the preparation of a variety of studies and reports relating to development projects; establishes conditions of approval; coordinates inspections and project monitoring programs; provides technical assistance to staff; reviews and evaluates plans for proposed assessment and maintenance districts and related bond and fee requirements; reviews subdivision and development proposals; manages and administers operations, activities, and programs in compliance with accepted federal, state, and municipal standards governing public works construction, public utilities construction, traffic engineering, and engineering surveying; manages plan check tracking systems; reviews, analyzes, and recommends changes to the City construction policies and procedures; recommends and coordinates design changes, where appropriate; keeps informed on current construction design techniques, changes in codes and regulations, and new construction materials and methods; works with developers, contractors, engineers, architects, and others regarding unusual construction and compliance problems; ensures the maintenance of detailed records of division activities, findings, and results; ensures the timely and accurate completion of all required topographic and construction engineering surveys.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
A typical qualifying background is a Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a closely related field; and five (5) years of progressively responsible engineering experience throughout all phases of development review in a lead capacity with supervisory experience over professional, technical, and clerical staff.
License or Certificate: A valid certificate of registration as a Professional Civil Engineer (P.E.) issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers.