Structural Engineer

Job Description:

Structural Engineer

Description

The Position

Bargaining Unit: Local 21 - Non-Supervisory Management

Why join the Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development?

There are currently two (2) vacant Structural Engineer positions in the Building Inspection Division of the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD). DCD is responsible for facilitating land use and development in accordance with the County General Plan, administering and enforcing the Building and Zoning Codes, and coordinating various programs for the County. In addition, DCD staff administers a variety of programs and initiatives that improve our communities, serve some of our most vulnerable residents, and pride themselves on excellent public services.

The Department is led by a Director and includes five divisions, each managed by either a Deputy Director or an Assistant Deputy Director. These divisions are Current Planning, Policy Planning, Building Inspection Services, Business and Information Services, and Housing and Community Improvement. DCD is headquartered in Martinez and employs approximately 165 staff members who serve the entire County of Contra Costa.

Structural Engineers are in the Building Inspection Division of the Department, which is primarily responsible for issuing building permits, inspecting construction work, and enforcing applicable laws and regulations concerning land use and construction. You will be working within the building permit issuance program, reviewing building plans for building code compliance. The work is exciting as all different types of residential and commercial structures are reviewed by the County. The work atmosphere is conducive to continuous learning.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Well-versed in Civil Engineering - you will be specifically working on structural engineering
• Experienced in structural design of buildings with an emphasis on seismic design and using a variety of materials - You will work on structural designs that require an understanding of seismic design
• A strong communicator - You will be working with other County Departments and external stakeholders who require you to communicate effectively with them
• Willing to learn - You will be assigned to and working on projects that may be unfamiliar and need to adapt quickly to learning about them
• A team player - You will be working with internal and external stakeholders on meeting mutual goals and interests
• Honest - You have aproven track record of ethical behavior and exercise good judgment
• People-oriented - You will have face-to-face interaction with various stakeholders, and strong relationship-building is expected

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Reviewing plans, calculations, and specifications of wood, masonry, concrete, and steel residential, commercial, and industrial structures
• Guiding as the technical advisor on structural problems and code requirements
• Responding to structural inquiries concerning ordinances and departmental policies to internal/external stakeholders
• Reviewing the work of field personnel to maintain consistency in interpreting and enforcing code requirements
• Assessing legal violations and taking appropriate actions for the situation

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will be checking a vast variety of projects
• You will engage with design professionals, contractors, and property owners regarding the review of projects
• You will be working in a professional, friendly, and cooperative atmosphere
• You will be part of a team that includes approximately 10 other licensed structural engineers who have extensive professional experience in the design of all types of structures
• You will have the opportunity to learn building codes thoroughly
• You may be able to work from home two days a week
• You may be able to request a 9/80 work schedule (a schedule where the employee works 80 hours over 9 workdays within a two-week period and takes the 10th workday off).

A few challenges you might face in this job:

• You will be dealing with the public, which can be challenging
• The types of projects assigned to you may be new or unfamiliar, and you may have to learn them quickly
• You will be working in a large organization and performing a variety of functions

Competencies Required:

• Critical Thinking: Analytically and logically evaluating information, propositions, and claims
• Mathematical Facility: Performing computations and solving mathematical problems
• Mechanical Insight: Comprehending how mechanical, electrical, and structural systems operate and interact
• Legal & Regulatory Navigation: Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
• Professional & Technical Expertise: Applying technical subject matter to the job
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications
• Adaptability: Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products
• Learning Agility: Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one’s work
• Listening: Fully comprehending spoken communication
• Oral Communication: Engaging effectively in dialogue
• Writing: Communicating effectively in writing
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers
• Interpersonal Savvy: Considering and responding appropriately to the needs and feelings of others in different situations
• Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals

To read the complete job description, please visit the website, www.cccounty.us/hr
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill future openings for up to six (6) months.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.

Certificate: Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a Civil Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

Experience: Four (4)years of full-time, or its equivalent, experience in professional civil engineering work which involved stress and force analyses on wood frame, masonry and concrete/steel structures.

Substitution: Possession of a valid Certificate of Authority to use the title "Structural Engineer" issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

• An interest in serving the public

• A willingness to continue to learn and improve your skills
• Able to quickly adapt to changing conditions

Selection Process

Application Filing and Evaluation: Applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process. Training and Experience Evaluation: Consists of an evaluation of each candidate's relevant education, training and/or experience as presented on the application and supplemental questionnaire. (Weighted 100%)

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Christine Bissada at Christine.Bissada@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 10/17/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$125,955.85 - $153,100.14 Annually