Assistant Engineer​/Associate Engineer; DOQ; Limited Term

the opportunity

are you ready to make a meaningful impact by helping manage and optimize critical infrastructure assets? The inland empire utilities agency (ieua) is seeking a strategic and forward-thinking assistant engineer or associate engineer to join our asset management unit in a 2-year limited-term appointment. This position offers a unique opportunity to support the long-term reliability, performance, and value of the agency’s asset portfolio while minimizing total lifecycle costs.

in this role, you will gain hands-on field and technical experience by working directly with ieua’s equipment and systems to improve operational efficiency, enhance reliability, and reduce downtime. You will contribute to risk-based decision-making, support innovative asset management practices, and help streamline workflows through cross-departmental collaboration. Whether your interests lie in capital planning, asset optimization, or practical engineering problem-solving, this position provides a dynamic opportunity at the intersection of engineering and asset stewardship.

If you are motivated by improving asset lifecycle outcomes and supporting data-driven capital investment strategies, we encourage you to apply.

graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in civil engineering or a related engineering discipline, and:

• assistant engineer: one year of professional engineering or related field/planning experience (including internship experience), preferably with a water or wastewater utility; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

associate engineer: an assistant engineer may be considered for advancement to associate engineer after demonstrating proficiency to perform the full range of duties of the latter class. Proficiency criteria and the process for demonstrating performance at the levels established in the criteria are established jointly by hiring authorities and the director, human resources and are described in a separate document. Typically, an assistant engineer is expected to be capable of meeting the proficiency criteria within a 12 to 24-month period, depending on an individual's prior experience and progression in performing the full range of associate engineer duties as described in the established performance criteria.

• a valid california class c driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the agency’s vehicle insurance program.
• for assistant engineer, e.i.t. Certification is required within 12 months of hire.
• for associate engineer, e.i.t. Certification is required.

• ability to collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders to support asset management planning, infrastructure evaluation, and long-term capital improvement strategies.
• experience conducting technical analyses related to condition assessments, risk evaluations, lifecycle cost analysis, and maintenance optimization for water, wastewater, and recycled water infrastructure.
• skilled in supporting asset management–driven project planning and delivery, including developing scopes of work, coordinating inspections, maintaining asset inventories, and tracking performance metrics to inform reinvestment decisions.
• ability to apply strong critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate infrastructure performance, identify system vulnerabilities, and develop strategic recommendations that enhance the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of water and wastewater assets.

to view the full job description, please click.

the inland empire utilities agency is a regional wastewater treatment agency and wholesale distributor of imported water to approximately 950,000 people across 242-square miles in western san bernardino county. Under the leadership of a directly elected five-member board of directors, the agency is committed to supporting the needs of its service area and safeguarding public health through significant investments in a diverse water supply portfolio, reliable municipal/industrial wastewater collection and treatment services, and…