Town Engineer

Town Engineer

Public Works Department
Town of Portola Valley, California
Annual Salary: $180,000 – $204,000 DOE/DOQ (under review)

Hybrid Work Opportunity!

The Town of Portola Valley, nestled in California’s San Francisco Peninsula, is seeking a Town Engineer to serve its engaged community. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the town’s infrastructure. The Town Engineer will oversee three direct reports, a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) primarily focused on street resurfacing, and an annual budget of $1 million. This capable professional engineer will help preserve the town’s unique character, balancing rural charm with modern amenities, and ensuring that Portola Valley remains a treasured home for its residents.

The Town Engineer will be a hands-on manager, actively participating in both office and field work while interfacing with contractors. The ideal candidate is a personable leader who thrives in a collaborative environment. As a member of the town’s 18-person staff, they will understand the importance of teamwork and clear communication. They will join an exceptional work culture that prioritizes learning, innovation, and continuous improvement. This experienced Town Engineer will deliver concierge-level customer service to involved residents, and act as a highly responsive, diplomatic, and knowledgeable professional. Leverage your technical skills in this charming historic town – apply today!

View the full recruitment brochure: https://indd.adobe.com/view/0001ab29-fa20-4050-b65a-81485940dc6a

THE JOB / THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The Town Engineer will ensure the preservation and maintenance of this small community’s infrastructure. They will engage in site reviews and manage general maintenance projects. They will oversee the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) primarily focused on street resurfacing, an annual budget of $1 million, and three reports, including one flexibly classed Assistant/Associate Engineer and two maintenance workers. They will also work closely with consultants to ensure projects are completed to the highest standards, providing technical expertise and oversight. As the head of the Public Works Department, the Town Engineer will collaborate closely with other department heads, including finance, planning, and administrative services, to align infrastructure projects with the town’s broader strategic goals.

The Town Engineer will frequently interact with residents, addressing their concerns with a high level of customer service and a soft touch, essential in a community known for its intelligence and active involvement. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, a willingness to answer resident phone calls, and the ability to manage conflicts with diplomacy. The Town Engineer will be a visible figure in maintaining the town’s beloved amenities. This role offers the opportunity to work in a supportive environment where every team member wears multiple hats and contributes to the town’s vibrance. Given the small size of the town’s workforce and the contract-heavy nature of its operations, the Town Engineer must be adept at managing external contractors and ensuring that projects are executed efficiently and within budget. The successful candidate will bring a strategic mindset to optimize the use of limited resources while delivering high-quality infrastructure services. This role offers a unique blend of professional challenges and personal fulfillment, in one of the Bay Area’s most charming communities!

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job, such as:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in engineering or a related field.
• Experience: Three years of professional civil engineering experience as a registered professional engineer.
• Certifications: Possession of registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of California.
• Valid California Driver’s License upon appointment.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

An annual salary of $180,000 – $204,000 DOE/DOQ, PLUS a generous benefits package (the Town is currently conducting a classification and compensation study to assess all benefits and salaries).

HOW TO APPLY: For first consideration, apply by September 13th at: https://wbcpinc.com/job-board

SAVE THE DATES:

Virtual interviews will be held on October 3rd. Finalists will move forward to round two, in-person interviews on October 14th. Selected candidates must be available for both dates.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact your recruiter, Levi Kuhlman, with any questions:

• Levi@wbcpinc.com
• 866-929-WBCP (9227) toll-free
• 541-664-0376 (direct)