Engineering Manager II

Full Job Description

**DEPARTMENTAL PROMOTIONAL: This position is limited to the regular employees of the County of Santa Barbara Public Works Department. **

We are accepting applications to fill one (1) full time Engineering Manager II position underfilling a Laguna County Sanitation District Manager (civil service rule 916) in the Public Works Department in Santa Maria. This position is classified as an Engineering Manager II and is at-will and exempt from Civil Service provisions.

916. Appointment to Underfill an Authorized Position

An appointment to underfill a position may last up to one year; any extension beyond one year must be approved by the Civil Service Commission.

Under direction, oversees staff performing engineering work in areas such as: capital project management, infrastructure management (flood control, traffic, roads, bridges, and rights-of-way), hydrology and flood plain management, traffic engineering, and building codes; coordinates assigned activities with staff in other divisions and departments; provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance and administrative support to executive management staff; and performs other duties as assigned.

Incumbents establish annual goals and priorities, influence the direction for new or revised services, programs, processes, standards, or operational plans, based upon the County’s long-term strategies. Positions have a direct impact on the work unit or program and may impact the entire department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Reports to the Director of Public Works. Provides full supervisory oversight of approximately 16 full-time employees within the Laguna County Sanitation District, including wastewater treatment plant operators, collection system maintenance staff, and engineering and technical personnel. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over professional, technical, operational, and administrative staff, as well as consultants and additional Public Works personnel supporting engineering, fiscal, technology, and administrative functions.

The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Excellent communication skills
• The ability to facilitate public meetings and presentations
• Civil engineering experience in a public agency setting
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities
• Experience supervising and overseeing the work of staff
• The ability to delegate assignments to leverage a balanced taskforce in a dynamic environment and effectively balance multiple priorities
• Experience working effectively during emergency response
• Minimum of eight (8) years of civil engineering experience

Requirements

These examples are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each individual.

1. Serves as a member of the County’s management team by planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing the activities in the Laguna County Sanitation District, including wastewater treatment plant operations, collection system maintenance, regulatory compliance, and engineering support activities.
2. Plans, organizes, and directs major wastewater utility functions, including treatment processes, recycled water operations, residuals management, and collection system performance.
3. Oversees development and implementation of master plans, capital improvement programs, and major plant upgrades, ensuring alignment with long-term operational needs, funding policies, and regulatory requirements.
4. Assisting in the development and refinement of operational procedures, standards, and program policies specific to wastewater treatment, collection systems, and District administration.
5. Interprets and analyzes complex regulatory requirements, including NPDES permits, waste discharge requirements, biosolids regulations, and environmental compliance mandates; provides recommendations to executive management.

6. Supports long-term planning efforts, including rate and revenue planning, asset management, and strategic initiatives for the District and related County Service Areas (CSAs).
7. Establishes annual goals and priorities for District operations, capital projects, regulatory compliance, and organizational development.
8. Provides technical and operational leadership in wastewater engineering, treatment process optimization, collection system design and maintenance, and infrastructure rehabilitation.
9. Researches, analyzes, and prepares technical studies, regulatory reports, Board letters, contracts, proposals, and presentations, offering well-supported recommendations to higher-level management and the Board of Supervisors/Board of Directors.
10. Develops, implements, and evaluates programs and services to ensure adherence to performance goals, regulatory standards, and industry best practices; recommends operational or program improvements.
11. Assists with development and administration of the District’s operating and capital budgets, including procurement, contract administration, resource allocation, and financial analysis.
12. Monitors expenditures and ensures compliance with County fiscal policies, enterprise-fund requirements, and prudent stewardship of ratepayer revenues.
13. Troubleshoots and resolves operational, regulatory, and programmatic issues, keeping executive management informed of challenges and resolutions.
14. Oversees preparation of regulatory reports, operational records, engineering plans, and administrative documents required for District operations and compliance.
15. Supervises wastewater treatment operators, collection system maintenance staff, engineering personnel, and administrative support staff, including hiring, onboarding, performance evaluations, employee development, and disciplinary actions.
16. Coordinates work with the public, regulatory agencies, County departments, consultants, and external partners; represents the District on committees and prepares and delivers presentations to elected officials, boards, and community groups.
17. Performs other related duties as required.

Qualifications

Additional Information

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental Code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Monday, March 23, 2026 at 4:59 pm PST. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.



Collin Graham, Recruiter –cgraham@countyofsb.org