Chief Civil Engineer - Jefferson County; Roads and Transportation

Job Summary

Jefferson County is seeking well-qualified Chief Civil Engineers for its Roads and Transportation Department. Chief Civil Engineers are responsible for planning and reviewing the work of civil engineering staff, as well as non‑professional engineering staff. Incumbents in this job class are responsible for designing public infrastructure projects. The types of projects they oversee and participate in can vary, but may include drainage structures, traffic design, roads, bridges, etc.

They review and approve engineering plans/drawings, and may also answer questions and provide guidance to subordinates regarding their projects. Chief Civil Engineers are responsible for the preparation, monitoring, and administering of their departmental budget, and budgetary reporting. Their work may also include scheduling/approving subordinates’ leave, and managing day‑to‑day operations.

03/13/2026

Grade 33

Full time

Jefferson County provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer‑sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is $94,515 – $146,640.

• Driver’s license.
• Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Alabama, or the ability to obtain your PE License within Alabama through reciprocity within 6 months of being hired.
• Bachelor’s degree, or higher, in Civil Engineering or other closely related Engineering field (e.g., Environmental, Mechanical, Structural) from an ABET accredited program.
• Professional Engineering experience, including experience as a lead project manager directly responsible for successful design or construction of complex public works infrastructure projects (e.g., roadways, bridges, sidewalks, drainage systems, water treatment, sewer).

• Experience using computer aided design/drafting software (e.g., AutoCAD, Microstation).
• Experience directly supervising subordinate engineers on the design and construction of public infrastructure projects from conception to completion.
• Master’s degree, or higher, in Civil Engineering or other closely related Engineering field (e.g., Environmental, Mechanical, Structural) from an ABET accredited program.

• Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring progress of work, providing feedback and/or training.
• Prepares, monitors, and administers departmental or organizational budget by reviewing spending trends, expenditure reports, analyzing financial data and ensuring expenditures are within annual budgetary limits.
• Oversees and participates in the design phase of public infrastructure projects (e.g., drainage structures, roads, bridges, culverts, etc.) using accepted civil engineering practices, jurisdiction‑specific standards and specifications, and nationally recognized engineering codes, standards, or regulations.
• Interacts with parties (e.g., developers, contractors, engineers, surveyors, governmental agencies) taking part in the jurisdiction’s permitting process by providing information about permit requirements, and conducting reviews of permit applications and plans in order to ensure that permit applications and plans meet the jurisdiction’s requirements.
• Prepares for needed infrastructure improvement projects to be completed by external contractors and engineering firms by developing the scope of the project and overseeing the process to announce, collect, assess, and accept statements of qualifications and bids from external contractors and engineering firms.
• Reviews proposed construction plans submitted by external contractors in order to ensure they safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public; use accepted civil engineering practices; and comply with applicable codes, regulations and standards.
• Oversees and manages public infrastructure construction projects that were designed by engineering consultants/contractors by ensuring the construction project adheres to any approved plan, contract or issued permit throughout all phases…