Civil Engineer-Building

Position Summary

The County of San Diego invites your interest in an excellent career opportunity! CIVIL ENGINEER. Interviews will be held the week of January 19, 2026.

Annual base salary: $. Future salary increases:
June 2026 – 4.57% increase to base pay (3.5% Across‑Board + 1.07% Market Adjustment). June 2027 – 4.07% increase to base pay (3% Across‑Board + 1.07% Market Adjustment).

Additional pay incentives and premiums available:
New Hire Lateral Incentive Pay up to $5,000 for Civil Engineers with public agency experience, 5% Engineer Premium, $1,250 Recruitment Bonus, and an additional $1,250 Bonus after successful completion of the probation period. This position qualifies for the Employee Referral Reward Program.

Planning & Development Services (PDS) balances community, economic and environmental interests to ensure the highest quality of life for the public of San Diego County. PDS is responsible for long‑range land use planning, the County’s General Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and for analyzing privately initiated land use projects to ensure compliance with land use regulations. Department programs include building plan review, building inspection and code compliance.

PDS manages the permitting process for new projects. Civil Engineers in the Building Division review construction drawings and calculations for new projects and alterations to existing projects, ensuring compliance with the California Building Code and local County amendments. Civil Engineers work with the public to provide accurate submittals.

As a Civil Engineer in the Building Division you will collaborate with design professionals and homeowners, performing construction drawings and quality control reviews.

• Review structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, Title 24 energy, and standard stormwater designs.
• Reply to customer emails and phone calls.
• Interact with customers at PDS public counters to answer code and permit process questions.
• Recheck corrected plans and documents undergoing plan check.
• Engage with multiple functional groups for complex projects.

• High degree of motivation and willingness to learn.
• Strong willingness to continually learn and grow professionally.
• Maintain a professional perspective and objective demeanor in varied situations.
• Good listener and communicator (verbal and written).
• Learn and understand the perspectives of others; embrace diversity and inclusiveness.
• Professional experience in civil engineering.
• Good interpersonal and teamwork skills, including building relationships and collaborating with others.

• Job offer and background process begins after interviews.
• Pre‑employment medical screening approximately 3 days following successful background investigation.
• Anticipated start date based on completion of medical screening or mutually agreed upon date.

Qualified applicants must possess registration by the State of California as a Professional Engineer.

Prospective candidates will undergo a background check (including fingerprinting) and a pre‑employment medical screening prior to beginning employment. Additional background investigations may be conducted based on job‑related activities.

Qualified applicants will be placed on a six‑month employment list based on scores from the evaluation of application information. Responses to the supplemental questionnaire will be reviewed using an automated system.

Reasonable accommodation may be made on a case‑by‑case basis to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

The County of San Diego seeks to hire and retain veterans. Preferential credits are available for military service. The Military Skills Translator tool can help translate military experience into civilian experience.

The County embraces a vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all. Values include integrity, equity, access, belonging, excellence, and sustainability. The Strategic Plan and Framework for the Future guide our mission to strengthen communities with innovative, inclusive, data‑driven services.

Under California Government Code Sections 3100‑3109, public employees are designated as disaster service workers and are required to participate in disaster service activities as assigned by the employer or law.

The County of San Diego is committed to valuing diversity and practicing inclusion because its diverse workforce is its greatest asset and because its customers are its priority.