Principal Engineer

Contra Costa Water District has an immediate opening for a Principal Engineer to supervise the Facilities Planning section and be an integral member of the team within the Planning Department. The selected candidate will lead and be responsible for completing planning studies including forecasting water demands and long-term water supply needs; supporting the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP); and other capital planning efforts to identify near and long-term water facility improvements related to the water treatment plants, untreated water system, and treated water distribution system to identify and plan for improvements; overseeing hydraulic modeling efforts to development and outage planning; and overseeing the grants program. The position serves as a liaison with the Operations and Maintenance Department and the Engineering Department to support prioritizing and programming of improvement projects necessary to maintain the operation of these systems and in consideration of growth as well as current and potential future regulations. Other areas this position supports include serving as a technical resource to identify and implement asset management practices in coordination with other departments; provide review on projects being implemented by other departments; engagement with municipal and industrial customers to coordinate supply needs, project implementation, and budget; completing monthly and annual regulatory reporting; and engaging with regional partners for potential projects.

The selected candidate will directly supervise up to three Engineers and oversight of the Grants Specialist as well as be responsible for administering consultant contracts including the preparation of requests for qualifications/proposals, performing project management activities, and coordination of consultant duties with staff.

Upcoming Projects Include

Near term projects the selected candidate will oversee and support include the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan, the 2026 Facility Reserve Charge Study, the Building Facilities Comprehensive Plan, Untreated Water Facility Improvement Plan, and Untreated Water Reservoirs Renewal and Replacement Study. Additionally, CCWD is currently working on several significant large-scale projects including the Canal Replacement Program and the selected candidate will have an opportunity to support this Program through participation on review teams and providing support as the Facilities Planning Principal Engineer. Future projects include other Renewal and Replacement studies and Comprehensive Plan for the treated water distribution system as well as the planning for the recycled and potable water facilities that are anticipated to be needed to support the future 2,300 acre development of the Concord Naval Weapons Station.

We Are Looking For a Motivated Team Member Who

- Has several years of experience managing infrastructure and water supply planning studies, including the development of comprehensive plans and supply planning studies.

- Has awareness and/or knowledge of Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life regulations and required reporting to the state on water use is beneficial.

- Possess strong leadership skills that can provide guidance, motivate, and support others to succeed while keeping projects on track.

- Possess strong communication skills and the ability to foster collaboration to support engagement with other departments at CCWD are valuable.

Additional Information

Candidates will be initially screened to determine if they meet minimum qualifications. The application for those meeting minimum qualifications will be reviewed by subject matter experts and top candidates moved forward to the interview process. A virtual Oral Panel Interview is tentatively scheduled for the week of January 5, 2026. An in-person Department Panel Interview is tentatively scheduled for the week of January 12, 2026

FLSA: Exempt Bargaining Unit: Local 21 DEFINITION

Under general direction, plans, organizes, develops, and supervises engineering programs and projects; manages the largest and most complex capital improvement, maintenance, and construction projects; coordinates programs and projects with other divisions and departments; provides highly responsible support to the Engineering Manager and Director of Engineering; and performs related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general direction from assigned management personnel. Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, and technical staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

This is a mid-management class responsible for providing full second-line, direct supervision to employees within assigned work section and/or assumes substantive and significant programmatic responsibility in a defined area or specialty. Incumbents plan, develop, recommend, implement, and evaluate programs, projects, goals, and policies and procedures for assigned section and programs. Incumbents are responsible for performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibilities. Performance of the work requires use of considerable independence, initiative, and discretion within broad guidelines. This class is distinguished from the Engineering Manager in that the latter is has full management responsibility for all engineering programs, projects, and related functions.

(Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right within the scope of the classification to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

- Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and reviews the work of staff assigned to a work section, programs, and/or projects; provides policy guidance and interpretation; evaluates employee performance, counsels employees, and effectively recommends initial disciplinary action; makes recommendations for selection and promotion.

- Recommends and develops section and/or program goals, objectives, policies, and procedures; monitors activities and establishes performance standards and methods; implements policies, procedures, and process improvements and changes.

- Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of assigned budgets; determines funding needed for staffing, consultants, contractors, equipment, materials, and supplies; prepares detailed cost estimates with appropriate justifications; ensures compliance with budgeted funding; tracks and verifies budget expenditures.

- Assists in the preparation of the District’s Capital Improvement Program plan and budget.

- Coordinates project and program activities with other departments, contractors/consultants, and outside agencies.

- Assumes responsible charge of engineering plans, calculations, specifications, reports, and decisions as defined by the Professional Engineers act; stamps work as the Engineer of Record for various capital and applicant projects; signs as project manager for projects involving service from the existing main, fire services, main extensions, hydrants, reservoirs, or pump stations.

- Manages assigned large, complex capital improvement projects through all phases including planning, design, construction and implementation, and close-out; leads project teams in the execution of projects; develops work plans including, scope of work, budget, schedules, and baseline requirements; negotiates and manages consultant contracts; reviews and approves preliminary and final drawings, plans, and specifications for compliance with District standards.

- Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work; evaluates proposals and recommends award; manages contracts; supervises contractor performance to ensure compliance with District specifications and service quality.

- Supervises engineering studies, investigations, and analyses; reviews and approves engineering calculations; researches, collects, and analyzes engineering data, statistics, and surveys.

- Supervises the review and approval of project alternatives considering financial, operational, maintenance, property/right-of-way, and constructability factors; directs and conducts analyses and modeling and evaluates results to determine project-specific facility requirements and parameters.

- Supervises the preparation of engineering designs, specifications, drawings, sketches, and other supporting documentation; reviews, comments on, and approves drawings, plans, and other work submitted by external consultants, engineers, contractors, and developers for conformance with professional and District standards.

- Manages construction inspections, reviews and approves design changes, submittals, and requests for information from staff and contractors, interprets contract documents, and negotiates and approves change orders and claims.

- Directs the organization and maintenance of accurate and detailed databases, files, and records.

- Attends and presents at meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions, and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, technologies, and new developments in the field of engineering.

- Observes and complies with all District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

- Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: Training

: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering or a related field.

Experience :

Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible experience in professional engineering work related to water systems and facilities, including two (2) years of supervisory or management experience.

Licenses And Certifications

- Possession of a valid California driver’s license to be maintained throughout employment.

- Possession of a valid license as a Professional Engineer issued by the State of California to be maintained throughout employment.

Knowledge of:

- Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, budget management, contract management, and project management.

- Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, discipline, and the training of staff in work procedures.

- Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.

- Principles and practices of leadership.

- Theories, principles, practices and methods of civil, mechanical, and/or electrical engineering as applied to the planning, design, construction, operations, and maintenance of raw and treated water treatment, distribution, and storage systems.

- Construction management principles and practices.

- Principles and techniques of conducting engineering studies, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective and technical reports.

- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.

- Basic and advanced mathematic and statistical techniques.

- Principles and procedures of record-keeping and preparation of reports and correspondence.

- Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.

- The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

- Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability To

- Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.

- Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards for assigned section and/or program areas.

- Understand the organization and operation of the District and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.

- Effectively represent the District in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.

- Manage engineering projects and programs and develop recommendations to improve District engineering standards.

- Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.

- Manage contracts and supervise the performance of contractors, consultants, and/or vendors.

- Apply principles and practices of safety and prevention through design, including reviewing and applying state and federal safety standards, reviewing planned operation and maintenance of facilities, and incorporating standards and best practices into designs, and following safety practices during work efforts and assigned tasks.

- Identify problems, research and analyze relevant information, and develop and present recommendations and justification for solutions.

- Make accurate arithmetic and statistical computations.

- Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.

- Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.

- Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.

- Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.

- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.

- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

- Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse socio-economic, racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, diverse abilities, gender, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation of District staff and communities served.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

When working in an office environment, must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. When working in the field, must possess strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, and crouch in conducting inspections; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various District and meeting sites; and vision to conduct inspections. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

Employees primarily work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees also work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Employees may be required to work various shifts and outside of normal shift hours on evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Contra Costa Water District is committed to equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants. We prohibit discrimination based upon race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other actual or perceived status protected under federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions are based on individual qualifications and performance.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

One of the many CCWD goals is to pursue organizational excellence through diversity, equity, inclusivity, leadership, and professionalism. We recognize the strengths of staff creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and improved decision-making resulting from diverse perspectives, and we strive to be a culturally diverse organization that values, recognizes, and supports inclusion.

CONVICTION HISTORY

A condition of employment for all CCWD positions includes successfully passing a Department of Justice Live Scan fingerprint check and completion of the federal Employment Eligibility Verification Form I-9. Additionally, in compliance with federal law, CCWD participates in E-Verify.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All CCWD employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. As such, CCWD employees may be called upon to support the activities of CCWD during an emergency situation.

Applicants requesting reasonable accommodation during any phase of the recruitment process should contact Human Resources at 925-688-8002.