Principal Civil Engineer - Utilities

Overview

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis. The first review of applications is scheduled to occur for applications received before 5:00 PM on February 5, 2026. This recruitment may close at any time after that date, once a sufficiently strong candidate pool has been established.

Here in Huntington Beach, we believe passionately that the key to becoming the best beach City in the world starts and ends with finding the right people to join our team. At this time, we have an outstanding career opportunity available, as we are looking for the right person to serve as Principal Civil Engineer (Utilities) to join our Public Works Department team.

The Utilities Division is seeking a strong, hands-on leader with the ability to develop and mentor staff in Potable Water, Wastewater (Sewer), Storm Drain, and Flood Channel systems. The ideal candidate will bring technical depth, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style to support the City’s critical utility infrastructure.

Experience maintaining and applying hydraulic models, particularly Water

GEMS, is highly desirable. Proven experience in the planning and design of groundwater wells and sewer lift stations is essential as the City continues to expand its well field and replace aging lift stations. The successful candidate will be an effective communicator, capable of leading complex capital projects while ensuring regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility, and long-term system reliability.

The Public Works Department provides outstanding customer service and is responsible for the design, construction, maintenance, and operations of public facilities and infrastructure. This requires us to respond to requests for service, coordinate efforts with local, regional, state, and federal agencies, and work with the community in all of our efforts. Public Works manages over 30% of the city's total budget, including three enterprise funds and seven designated funds, as well as the citywide capital improvement program.

The five divisions in Public Works are committed to providing the highest quality of service to the community. These five divisions include Engineering, Utilities, Administration, Operations and Transportation.

The Principal Civil Engineer supervises, assigns, reviews, and participates in the work of staff responsible for providing civil engineering services for an assigned section, including the planning and design of various public works projects such as storm drains and sewer systems, water systems; street improvements, improvements of property, and construction by private developers and other departments. Ensure work quality and adherence to established policies and procedures;

and perform the more technical and complex tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

• Participates in the development of the five-year water system plan; oversees financial forecasting and analysis activities to ensure that system plans meet future City water needs
• Performs special water system studies to ensure existing facilities are rehabilitated, maintained and operated in an economic manner
• Manages and oversees the maintenance and operations of the water system distribution network analysis model to simulate field conditions; identifies system improvements and upgrades
• Coordinates the review of environmental impact reports and developer studies to ensure water rates, rules and regulations are clarified and understood
• Establishes schedules and methods for providing water engineering services; identifies resource needs; reviews needs with appropriate management staff; allocates resources accordingly
• Administers projects from inception to completion including planning, design, review, public meetings, bidding and construction
• Determines the scope of engineering projects; oversees the preparation of plans and specifications by City staff; prepares requests for proposals and contracts for consulting services; reviews plans of consulting engineers and private contractors; makes technical engineering decisions and establishes technical criteria and standards
• Monitors design criteria and communicates…