Engineering Director

Engineering Director

Are you looking for a public service opportunity that will challenge you? Do you thrive in an award-winning public service environment? Are you dedicated to providing exceptional services that improve a community's quality of life? If so, apply to be part of our professional, dedicated and committed executive team. The City of Vista is looking for an Engineering Director who will help our city reach new levels of excellence by maintaining our core values of respect, fairness, teamwork, integrity, compassion and stewardship.

Located just seven miles inland from the Pacific Ocean in North San Diego County, the City of Vista offers a perfect mild Mediterranean climate. Home to a population of over 99,000, residents and visitors enjoy a wide range of year-round outdoor activities in a setting of gentle rolling hills and pleasant rural surroundings. The City's centralized location provides quick accessibility to the ocean, the mountains, and famous attractions such as LEGOLAND, the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, Sea World and Disneyland. Vista is home to the Wave Waterpark and the Moonlight Amphitheatre, an open air theater, which draws thousands of Southern Californians each year to experience award-winning productions. Having invested substantially in its economic development efforts over the years, Vista's 1,200 acre business park is now home to over 900 growing companies that employ over 23,000 employees. Over the last five years, Vista has experienced the greatest economic boom ever in its history, outperforming most other municipalities in San Diego County in retail sales and employment growth, resulting in impressive sales tax revenues that not only give the City of Vista financial stability, but the means to invest in the community as well. Today, Vista is a crossroads of culture, education, technology and commerce with a vision to meet the diverse needs of all its residents residential, corporate and retail.

Vista has been recognized three times in the book "50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family", being listed as one of the 50 best cities in the nation. Our award-winning community provides superior educational opportunities in over 25 public/private schools and colleges in the nearby area. With an average of 340 days of sunshine a year, outdoor fun and recreation tend to be a common theme in a Vista lifestyle. The city boasts 16 community parks which selectively feature theaters, museums, recreation centers, picnic grounds, athletic fields and specialty sports parks.

The City of Vista is a chartered law city operating under a Council/Manager form of government. Four City Council Members and the Mayor are elected at-large to 4-year staggered terms. The city was incorporated in January 1963. The City Manager along with the City Attorney are appointed by the City Council. City departments/functions include: City Attorney, City Clerk, Community Development, Engineering, Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Information Technology, Public Works, and Recreation & Community Services. The City contracts with the San Diego Sheriff's Department for law enforcement services.

Examples of Essential Functions

The Engineering Director plans, organizes, directs, and administers programs of the Engineering Department, including Capital Improvement Projects (CIP), Land Development, Traffic Engineering, Sewer and Stormwater Utilities Divisions and other engineering related programs and functions; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies, and the general public; provides highly responsible and complex staff assistance to the City Manager; performs the duties of City Engineer; participates as a member of executive management team; and performs related work as required. The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator, who has successfully managed Capital Improvement projects, has a great depth of knowledge in construction, and can manage relationships with outside Contractors. The Engineering Director position requires a leader who can, not only, keep projects on task but also partner with Contractors to make sure issues are addressed to ensure top quality in construction. The selected candidate will be a strategic leader and planner who can work with City Council, staff, the business community, and other key stakeholders improve the quality of life for all City residents.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates and ability to perform the duties of the position. A typical combination would include a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Public Administration, or a closely related field. Eight (8) years of administrative level experience planning, organizing and directing broad engineering construction programs and field and office civil engineering design, inspection and contract administration. License Required: Possession of a valid license as a Civil Engineer issued by the State Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.

Other Information

The salary range for this position is $188,850 to $255,000 annually with an anticipated increase of 3% on July 1, 2027 and a very attractive benefits package. Salary will depend upon the qualifications and experience of the candidate. The deadline to apply is Thursday, October 29th, 2026.

Benefits

Vacation: 141 Hrs. - 1-5 years of continuous service 165 Hrs. - 6-20 years 178 Hrs. - 21+ Administrative Leave: Department Directors are provided with 76 hours of Administrative Leave annually, which is to be used within the fiscal year. Sick Leave: Employees earn 96 hours per year with no cap on accumulation. Holidays: Employees working the 9/80 flex schedule are entitled to 99 hours of holiday leave per fiscal year. Insurance: The City offers an excellent benefits package, including Blue Shield and Kaiser medical plan options, dental, vision, and life insurance programs. A portion of the employee's and dependent's premiums are paid by the City. Wellness Programming: The City offers comprehensive wellness programming to its employees including onsite wellness facilities and onsite wellness sessions. Tuition Reimbursement: The City's Tuition Reimbursement Plan may assist employees in paying the cost of approved books and tuition for classes which relate to their job. Retirement: The City contracts with CalPERS to provide the 3% @ 60 Plan for Classic Member employees or the 2% @ 62 plan for New Members. Employees currently contribute the entire employee contribution. The City does not participate in Social Security, but employees must be enrolled in the Medicare portion. Auto Allowance: Department Directors receive $400 per month for the use of their personal vehicle during the course of employment. Note: The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in the announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.