Principal Engineer; Right-of-Way Management

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER

(Right-of-Way Management)

At the City of Santa Barbara, the best part of our organization is our people. As a City of Santa Barbara employee, you will work in a collaborative environment with other motivated individuals who are passionate about their work. We strive to provide employees with the support they need to thrive and grow while fulfilling our Mission.

The Mission of the Public Works Department is to provide the community with the sustainable foundation to thrive by delivering quality services and public infrastructure through efficient and fiscally responsible practices.

As a City of Santa Barbara employee, the work that you do has a tangible impact on our community. We are about more than the bottom line; our work ensures the health and safety of residents and visitors, protects and preserves our architectural heritage and the natural environment, and enriches lives.

As City employees, we are the stewards of this beautiful place. Our job is to help the elected officials serve everyone in our community and ensure Santa Barbara continues to be a special place for future generations. This is an exciting, and sometimes demanding, responsibility. It is important work that you can be proud to perform.

Earn an attractive compensation package including competitive pay, comprehensive health and welfare benefits, retirement, paid time off, flexible work policies, commuter support, training and educational reimbursement.

The City of Santa Barbara’s Public Works Department is undergoing a search for a Principal Engineer to oversee the Right-of-Way (ROW) Management team, which includes Land Development Engineering, Real Property, and Public Works Inspection. The position is in the Engineering Division and leads a team that reviews development projects, issues Public Works permits, ensures construction in the City’s ROW meets City standards, and supports the City’s real property interests.

This team uniquely supports both private development and the City’s robust Capital Improvement Program.

In this role, the Principal Engineer will oversee the coordination of and provide direction for planning and inspection activities involved with land development, building, and real property. In addition, the position will manage the development of procedures for engineering activities including planning, permits, collection of plan checks and other fees and issues related to construction in public ROW. The Principal Engineer also reviews and approves land development projects, subdivision maps, site plans, and related agreements, while coordinating with internal departments, developers, and regional agencies.

The position requires extensive technical experience and skill in solving and communicating controversial and complex technical and logistical problems involving engineering and inspection staff, developers, builders, and the public. The position will frequently prepare and present items to Council, Boards and Commissions, private and public organizations, outside agencies, and City management staff. In addition, strong project and program management skills are required, including establishing schedules and methods for providing assigned services, the identification of resource needs, and effective allocation of resources accordingly, and program budgeting.

The Principal Engineer leads with a customer-focused approach, ensuring that neighbors, local businesses, City leadership, and partner departments are well-served throughout the delivery of services. This role balances technical expertise with community engagement, fostering trust and transparency, while overseeing projects that safeguard and enhance our community’s infrastructure. The Principal Engineer is expected to provide exemplary customer service to all individuals by demonstrating a willingness to be attentive, understanding, responsive, fair, courteous, respectful, and to actively participate in maintaining a positive customer service environment.

• Has strong technical and interpersonal skills and experience necessary to manage and oversee delivery of…