County Engineer

This position is open-until-filled with a first review after 3/01/2026. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for optimal consideration.

Relocation assistance available for the ideal candidate.

The County Engineer performs a variety of supervisory, administrative, and engineering duties within the Design/Construction/Traffic Division of Public Works. This position will assist in the planning and implementation of division goals and objectives. The County Engineer provides engineering services to the Public Works Department by fulfilling the statutory duties of County Engineer as provided in RCW 36.80. These duties include designing and coordinating the development of construction engineering plans and specifications for roads, bridges, traffic signage, design improvements, and other transportation improvement projects.

This position will participate in the development of detailed construction drawings and maps, and review complex design plans.

County Engineer provides engineering services to the Public Works Department by fulfilling the statutory duties of County Engineer as provided in RCW 36.80. These duties include designing and coordinating the development of construction engineering plans and specifications for roads, bridges, traffic signage, design improvements, and other transportation improvement projects. This position will participate in the development of detailed construction drawings and maps, and review complex design plans.

Situated in central Washington between the foothills of the stunning Cascade Mountains and the mighty Columbia River, Kittitas County residents enjoy limitless activities and recreation opportunities year-round. With over 200 days of sunshine each year, residents and visitors can enjoy activities including hiking, camping, numerous golf courses, fishing and boating, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, climbing, and backpacking.

Residents here enjoy the small-town feel with easy access to Seattle, just a two hour drive from Ellensburg, the largest city in Kittitas County. Ellensburg is well known for its friendly residents and rural life-style, along with summer music festivals, seasonal Farmer’s Market, and the annual Kittitas County Fair and Ellensburg Rodeo.

• Design, prepare, and coordinate the development of construction engineering plans and specifications on all (as a project manager) or portions of (as a team member) road, bridge, drainage, or traffic signage and design improvements, and other transportation improvement projects and similar designs. Develop cost estimates and recommendations towards final cost estimates.
• Prepare and participate in the development of detailed construction drawings, topographical profiles and related maps and specification sheets used in Public Works design projects planning and construction coordinating closely with the County Surveyor.
• Review complex design plans and specifications for conformance to job requirements. Develop and check complex specialized contract provisions, design agreements and design calculations and attend pre-bid and pre-construction conferences to outline principle construction features.
• Compute advanced mathematical calculations used in developing profile, cross-sections, etc. Plot, profile and cross-section, figure grade lines, calculate plots, traverses and similar criteria. Establish points and elevations, proper location and drainage for streets, levees, airport runways and other like structures.
• Utilize modern computer assisted drafting programs and techniques in plan review and project design; monitor technology trends and make recommendations to the Director as needed.
• Review and coordinate the preparation and use of traffic signs; prepare plans and drawings for other traffic control devices; develop and analyze results of traffic engineering studies. Supervise the Traffic Division of road maintenance.
• Coordinate work products and participate with Quad-County RTPO.
• Review development plans for storm drainage compliance with County and State Department…