Engineering Technician or Sr. Engineering Technician

Salary: $40.05 - $55.19 Hourly
Location : San Diego, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 00297
Department: Engineering
Division: Design
Opening Date: 10/08/2025

General Duties
Compensation

Engineering Technician: $40.05 - $50.06

Sr. Engineering Technician: $44.15 - $55.19

Ideal Candidate

Are you an analytical person with great attention to detail? Do you have experience in an engineering or construction environment performing designs and assisting Civil Engineers in the design of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects? Do you have experience using AutoCAD Civil 3D and ArcGIS Desktop software? Are you able to keep track of competing priorities and remain focused? If so, we would like to hear from you.

We also welcome veterans and transitioning military. Consider joining a team of hardworking employees who work to protect and preserve water, one of our most valuable natural resources. The experience you've gained during your service can continue to positively impact the world with a career at Otay.
The Otay Water District offers excellent benefits, a balanced work/life environment and is a leader in the industry.
About the Position and Department
The position may be appointed at either the Sr. Engineer Technician or Engineer Technician level depending upon qualifications and experience (there is only 1 vacancy). The position is in the Design Section of the Engineering Department and reports directly to an Engineering Manager. Depending on the level appointed, the position performs a variety of engineering work involving preparation and checking of construction drawings, including civil, structural, and mechanical plans; prepares record drawings and maps; and maintains Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) database. The Sr. Engineering Technician performs minor designs and assists Civil Engineers in design of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) projects including assisting with water and wastewater facility designs using AutoCAD Civil 3D and ArcGIS Desktop software; reviews developer plans for conformance to District codes, policies, and standards and may serve as liaison/coordinator for major programs and special projects.

The Engineering Department also manages a Capital Improvement Program (CIP) of approximately $19.7 million (2026). This position is a member of a dedicated, service-oriented team where collaboration and leadership are promoted at all levels.

The Engineering Department is responsible for the Planning, Budgeting, Design and Construction of all Otay Water District Facilities as well as the administration of all developer and new customer construction and service applications. The Department has a staff of approximately 30 employees.

Applications will be accepted until there are a sufficient number of highly qualified applicants from which to make a selection. However, for the earliest consideration, please submit your application materials by October 22, 2025. For information on the recruitment process, please go to the Employment section of our website or
Examples of Duties
Engineering Technician Includes:

• Drafts construction drawings including civil, structural, and mechanical plans using AutoCAD Civil 3D. Submits to higher level technical staff for review and approval.
• Drafts record drawings upon completion of projects.
• Prepares and updates maps, charts, layouts, displays, and plans using AutoCAD Civil 3D and ArcGIS Desktop.
• Prepares, maintains, and distributes District maps.
• Assists Project Managers in developing and assembling contract documents.
• Administers and maintains the department library, vendor list(s), databases, etc.
• Administers and maintains department equipment and expendables.
• Compiles, updates, and assists with analysis of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budgeting, estimating and cash flow, and maintenance of report database.
• Operates and uses ArcGIS/AutoCAD applications to update facilities and mapping records.
• Reviews plan checks for new developments; prepares and maintains plans and profiles of development and applies Otay Water District and WAS Standard Plans and Specifications.
• Drives a vehicle as required to visit sites for design factors or sites not accessible to the public.

Sr. Engineering Technician Includes:

• Performs checking of calculations, plans, specifications, shop drawings, and construction submittals for completeness, accuracy, and conformity to District standards and project requirements, in support of Project Manager.
• Prepares and monitors budget and schedules for CIP projects and other tasks.
• Performs administrative tasks, such as consultant selection and bid evaluations for projects under direction of Project Manager.
• Review developer project designs, plans, and legal descriptions for conformance to District Code, policy, standards, Sub Area Master Plans (SAMPS), and current Master Plan.
• Assist Engineers with design work, including site layout, pipeline alignment, facilities siting, and prepares plans and specifications for construction using AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Create and update maps, drawings and exhibits using AutoCAD and ArcGIS Desktop for engineers and others in the department.
• Utilize civil engineering software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, to develop designs and prepare construction drawings.
• Conduct field inspections and engineering studies by collecting and summarizing data.
• Research and compose project specifications based on District Standard Specifications under direction of Project Manager.
• Prepare exhibits for legal descriptions and quit claim deeds under direction of the Project Manager.
• Perform duties of Project Manager on minor projects.
• Supervises temporary, intern, and other employees in less technical engineering tasks.
• Prepares written correspondence to developers, engineers, contractors, and the general public.
• Responds as District liaison to commercial, industrial, government, international and other large customers.
• Responds as District liaison to government agencies and coordinates the District's relocation of utilities.
• Assists in the review and processing of design plans presented by applicants for water and sewer service.
• Drives a vehicle as required to visit sites for design factors or sites not accessible to the public.

For the complete job description go to the Employment section of our website or click here
Required Licenses and/or Certifications

• Both positions require: A valid California Class "C" Driver's License and a safe driving record.
• Sr. Engineering Technician: Engineering In Training (EIT), desirable.

Minimum Experience, Education, and Training Requirements
Experience:

• Engineering Technician: Two (2) years of experience in civil engineering including drafting and plan checking preferably for a water/wastewater facility or engineering firm.
• Sr. Engineering Technician: Four (4) years of experience in civil engineering, including plans and specifications preparation preferably for a water/wastewater agency.

Education:

• Both positions require a High School diploma or G.E.D.
• Engineering Technician: Coursework in basic drafting, computer aided drafting, survey drafting, engineering, construction, and trigonometry is desirable.
• Sr. Engineering Technician: Coursework in fundamental principles of civil engineering including statistics, plane surveying, elementary statistics, and physics of fluid mechanics is desirable. An Associate's of Science degree in drafting, engineering, or a closely related field is desirable.

Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time regular status. These benefits do not apply to temporary appointments.

Scheduled salary increases include the following:

• July 1, 2024: 6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 14, 2025: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 13, 2026: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• Annual Merit Increases: Eligible employees are eligible for 3% merit increase on an annual basis until they reach the top of their salary range, based on meeting expectations on their performance review.

Vacation: 12 days/year, increasing to a max of 23 days/year.

Sick Leave: 8 days/year, increasing to max of 15 days/year.

Paid Holidays: 14 days/year, including employee's birthday and two floating holidays.

Alternative Work Schedule: A 9/80 work schedule may be available based on the needs of the department. Upon approval, employees would work 80 hours over 9 days and enjoy one day off every two weeks. Some Operations department staff may be subject to a 4/10 work schedule (four 10-hour days within a week).

PERS Retirement: The District contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan that includes a lifetime benefit determined by a set formula (years of service, age at retirement, and final compensation). Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).

Employee Contributions:
New Member (hired on or after 1/1/13 who are new CalPERS members or do not have reciprocity with CalPERS):

• Are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 formula based on the employee's 36 months of highest average annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.
• District and employees share the normal employee CalPERS service contribution cost. Employees contribute 7.5% of salary toward the employee CalPERS service contribution cost up to the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.

Classic Member (hired before January 1, 2013, or who have reciprocity with CalPERS):

• Are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 55 formula based on the employee's single highest year annual compensation.
• Employees contribute 8% of salary towards the employee CalPERS service contribution cost.

The District is also a Social Security participant and the District and employee make contributions.

Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (457 Plan): Optional plan designed to provide employees with additional retirement income. Employees may elect to contribute a portion of their income on a pre-tax or post-tax basis through payroll deductions.

Medical/Rx Insurance: Choice of Blue Shield PPO, EPO, HMO or Kaiser HMO plans, 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% for dependent(s).

Dental Insurance: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% paid for dependent(s).

Vision: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 0% for dependent(s).

Flexible Benefits Plan: The District offers a healthcare and dependent care flexible benefits plan. The healthcare account reimburses the employee on a pre-tax basis for medical, pharmacy, dental and other related expenses not covered by the insurance plans. The dependent care account allows employees to pay for employment-related dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

Group Term Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: 100% premium paid by the District for employee and eligible dependent(s). Depending on employees' annual earnings and/or position, amounts of Life and AD&D insurance range from $15,000 to $50,000. Eligible dependents have life insurance coverage of $1,000.

Voluntary Life Insurance: Employees may elect to cover themselves and eligible dependents for voluntary life insurance. The full cost of this insurance is paid by the employee via payroll deductions

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance: The District provides short-term and long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income after a 30-day elimination period (90-day elimination period for long term disability) if totally disabled due to illness or injury.

Education Reimbursement Program: Employees are eligible to receive reimbursement for District approved courses not to exceed $3,000 per fiscal year.

Certification Incentive Program: Eligible District employees that obtain target certifications that exceed the minimum job requirements may qualify for either a base pay percentage increase or receive a monetary incentive.

Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential referrals and counseling concerning personal, family, or work-related issues for employees and their dependents.

Free Onsite Workout Facility: The District has a fully equipped exercise room for employees to use before work, after work or during lunchtime.

Yoga Classes: On-site Yoga classes are offered during the lunch hour at the employee's expense.

Retirement Benefits:
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) effective September 1, 2024: A Health Reimbursement Arrangement is an interest-bearing, employer-funded account created in your name to reimburse you tax-free in retirement for eligible medical expenses and premiums. Otay Water District makes deposits of employer contributions and mandatory employee contributions while you are employed, but you will not be able to access funds until retirement or separation of service, having met Otay Water District's vesting requirements.

Tier II Eligibility for All Full-time Regular Employees Hired On or After September 1, 2024:
All full-time, regular employees hired on or after September 1, 2024, will participate in a mandatory HRA Plan. The District and the employee will make contributions to the HRA Plan.

The District will contribute $4,000 annually to the employee's HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District for a maximum period of twenty (20) years. The employee will contribute $1,000.00 annually (or $40 per pay period for the first twenty-five (25) pay periods of the calendar year) to their HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District. There is a vesting schedule for this Plan as set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Otay Water District Employees Association, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
01

Which best describes the highest level of education you have obtained?

• I do not have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• I have a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
• I have college level course work in basic drafting, computer aided drafting, survey drafting, engineering, construction, and trigonometry.
• I have college level course work in fundamental principles of civil engineering, including statistics, plane surveying, elementary statistics, and physics of fluid mechanics.
• I have college level course work in a different area not mentioned above (please describe in question 2).
• I have an Associate's Degree in drafting, engineering, or a closely related field (please identify your degree and how it relates in question 2).
• I have a Bachelor's Degree or higher (please identify your degree and how it relates in question 2).

02

If your college level coursework or degree is in a different or related field, please identify the coursework or degree and how it relates. If not applicable, please type "N/A."
03

Do you have an Engineering-in-Training (E.I.T.) Certificate?

• No
• Yes

04

Please review the requirements of each position and select the boxes for the position(s) you qualify for and are interested in.

• Engineering Technician
• Sr. Engineering Technician

05

Which best describes your experience in civil engineering including drafting and plan checking preferably for a water/wastewater facility or engineering firm?

• I have 1 year or less of experience in drafting and plan checking.
• I have 2 years of experience in drafting and plan checking.
• I have 3 or more years of experience in drafting and plan checking.

06

Which best describes your years of experience in civil engineering including plans and specifications preparation, preferably for a water/wastewater facility or engineering firm?

• I have 1 year or less of experience in plans and specifications preparation.
• I have 2-3 years of experience in plans and specifications preparation.
• I have 4 years of experience in plans and specifications preparation.
• I have 5 or more years of experience in plans and specifications preparation

07

Please describe your experience in drafting, plan development and checking, specification development and any other civil engineering support work. Specify any experience with water/wastewater facilities. Explain your duties and how you have progressed in that role. Please do not state "See Resume" or "See Application." If you do not have experience in this area, please type in "N/A."
08

Which best describes your skill level and knowledge of AutoCad?

• I do not have any experience using AutoCad.
• I understand basic drawing commands and concepts such as viewports, model space, paper space, zooming and panning.
• I understand the above commands and concepts including external references, hatching, polylines, wipeouts, dimensioning and blocks. I also understand Land Desktop/Civil 3-D concepts such as points, alignments and profiles.
• I understand the above commands and concepts including tables, styles, workspaces. I also understand Land Desktop/Civil 3-D concepts such as grading and surfaces.

09

Which best describes your years of experience with GIS?

• I do not have any experience using GIS.
• I have 1 year or less of experience in drafting and plan checking.
• I have 2 years of experience in drafting and plan checking.
• I have 3 or more years of experience in drafting and plan checking.

10

What else would you like to tell us that would make you the preferred candidate?
Required Question