Utility Engineering Workgroup (UEW) Branch Chief

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the District 10 Engineering Services Office Chief, the incumbent serves as the Branch Chief for the Utility Engineering Workgroup (UEW), providing leadership, supervision, and strategic direction to engineers and professional staff. The UEW is a specialized unit responsible for collecting and maintaining utility information, managing the Caltrans utility database, and preparing all engineering products needed to obtain utility certifications for District 10 projects. The unit also develops utility plans, reports, specifications, special provisions, and cost estimates, and functions as the District's primary point of contact for subsurface facility investigations.

The incumbent ensures that all UEW deliverables meet technical standards and regulatory requirements and are completed on schedule and within budget. Responsibilities include planning and coordinating UEW functions, negotiating delivery schedules and resource allocations, overseeing workload prioritization, and ensuring product quality through effective QA/QC processes. The incumbent leads staff development through coaching, mentoring, and performance management while fostering a collaborative and equitable work environment. The role also requires coordination with internal and external stakeholders, including utility companies, local agencies, consultants, and other Caltrans units, to support successful project delivery and advance the mission of the Engineering Services Office.

PARF# 10-26-0225 / JC-521154

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Senior Transportation Engineer exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click and search by typing in the classification title.

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Working Conditions

Position located at 1976 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Stockton, San Joaquin County

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.

While at their base of operation, employees will work in a climate-controlled, "cubicle" office environment under natural and artificial lighting. They will be responsible for keeping the branch work area clean and project files organized for easy access; as well as ensuring that the conduct and noise levels of staff do not adversely affect the work of others. Employees will also periodically be required to travel and work outdoors and may be exposed to dirt, noise, uneven surfaces, or temperature extremes. When field work is involved, they are responsible for ensuring that proper safety precautions are communicated and followed by staff. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to moving traffic. One day, overnight stay, or extended travel may be required. Valid driver's license is required.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Special Requirements

• This position requires a valid Professional Engineer (PE) License issued by the California Board of Registration for Professional Engineers for appointment.

• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a state owned or leased vehicle. Occasional travel may be required.

• Statement of Qualification (SOQ) is required.

The SOQ serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below; failure to include and complete the SOQ as instructed may result in the SOQ not being considered and in disqualification from the interview. Each question must be numbered and addressed in the same order as the questions below. The SOQ must be typed, no more than two pages in length, and 12-point Arial font.

1. Describe your experience leading and supervising engineering staff in a transportation or utility engineering environment. How have you ensured high-quality deliverables through effective workload management, staff development, and QA/QC practices?

2. Provide an example of how you communicated complex technical or regulatory information to a diverse group of stakeholders. How did your approach support decision-making, coordination, or conflict resolution?

3. Describe your technical experience related to utility engineering, including coordination, design, or certification processes. How have you applied engineering standards, policies, and data-driven methods to support project delivery?

4. Describe a situation where you collaborated with internal teams and external partners to achieve a project objective. How did your efforts contribute to aligning priorities and delivering successful outcomes?

5. Provide an example of a process improvement or innovation you implemented in an engineering or project delivery environment. What impact did it have on efficiency, quality, or team performance?

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: or . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

Benefits

Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

Important Applications Instructions

The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-521154), PARF# 10-26-0225 and title of the position (Senior Transportation Engineer) must be included on the STD. 678 form.

Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.

Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.

NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.