The Deputy City Engineer Position
The City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering is seeking a dynamic and highly effective Deputy City Engineer to become an integral part of the Executive Leadership Team leading the Mobility Program.
The Deputy City Engineer will oversee the Mobility Program, which includes three divisions with over 90 full-time staff members managing capital improvement programs to deliver street, sidewalk, and bridge projects. Currently there are 140 active mobility projects with a construction cost of approximately $1 billion.
The Deputy City Engineer will also be a City Leader in mobility related policy development. Examples of current policy issues include leading the update of the Bureau of Engineering’s Street Design Manual to reflect equitable multi-modal approaches and vision zero safety principles, leadership participation in committees implementing and overseeing changes to the City’s capital improvement program development in accordance with Mayor Bass’ recently issued Executive Directive 9, and recommendations to City Council regarding the City’s sidewalk repair policies.
The Deputy City Engineer will work closely with elected offices and other City Departments, especially the Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Street Services. Importantly, as part of the Executive Team (which includes a Chief Deputy City Engineer and four Deputy City Engineers), this high-level position will play a key role in overall departmental leadership and policy and may act for the City Engineer, as needed.
The Ideal Candidate
Top candidates will thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment with a commitment to industry best practices. The top candidate will oversee three divisions with over 90 full-time staff and assume responsibility to lead the Mobility Program at an exciting time of mobility policy modernization and capital project delivery policy development. The successful candidate will be a results driven professional with a verifiable career history in related projects.
The ideal candidate for the position of Deputy City Engineer will have a thorough working knowledge of engineering principles, planning, program development, budget and resource management as well as design and construction principles and practices. Top candidates will provide leadership that will help foster a collaborative culture as well as inspire, motivate, and empower staff to achieve established goals. Additionally, the successful candidate will be politically savvy and a collaborative leader capable of thriving in a fast-paced environment. Finally, the ideal candidate will be thoroughly knowledgeable of modern multi-modal transportation design approaches for safe and equitable use of streets and sidewalks for all users.
Additionally, top candidates for consideration will be expected to possess:
- Effective leadership skills and the ability to situationally adapt their leadership style when appropriate in order to achieve high morale and productivity A constant desire for process improvement and the skills to implement change effectively
- Excellent problem solving skills, coupled with superior analytical skills
- Experience in directly advocating policy positions to executives and elected officials
- A broad interdisciplinary and technical background related to mobility
- Involvement with professional organizations or similar groups to stay current on modern mobility and project delivery practices
- Excellent skills in customer service and community relations
- Strong organizational management abilities to assist the Bureau of Engineering in achieving its vision of transforming Los Angeles into the world’s most livable and resilient city.
Qualifying Education & Experience
Education – Graduation from a recognized and accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Civil Engineering or a related field. A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field is welcomed.
Professional Engineer License – Registration/licensure with a State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers as a Civil Engineer is required. Registration/licensure with the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers as a Civil Engineer is required within one year of appointment to position.
Experience – Two years with the City of Los Angeles at the level of Principal Civil Engineer.
OR
For those not currently employed with the City of Los Angeles, two years of experience serving as administrative and technical head of a major civil, structural, wastewater or closely related engineering unit responsible for planning, organizing and/or directing, through subordinate project engineers, the activities of major construction projects.
Compensation & Benefits
The current salary range for the Deputy City Engineer at the Bureau of Engineering, Department of Public Works is $169,441 - $247,741 per year. This compensation is scheduled to be incrementally increased for a total of 22% between 2024 and 2028. This position is also eligible for bonuses of up to 13.75% at the discretion of the City Engineer.
A highly competitive benefits package includes an independent retirement plan to which both the employee and the City contribute; a multi-option deferred compensation plan; generous vacation and sick leave; 13 paid holidays per year; a flexible benefits plan including multi-option health, dental, and vision coverage; and family and domestic partner leave. Reimbursement of relocation expenses may be considered.
