Published date: March 2, 2026
Job Title: County Engineer
Organization: Kittitas County
Address: Ellensburg, WA
Job Website Link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/kittitas/jobs/5238302/county-engineer?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
Short Description:
The County Engineer performs a variety of supervisory, administrative, and engineering duties within the Design/Construction/Traffic Division of Public Works. This position will assist in the planning and implementation of division goals and objectives. The County Engineer provides engineering services to the Public Works Department by fulfilling the statutory duties of County Engineer as provided in RCW 36.80. These duties include designing and coordinating the development of construction engineering plans and specifications for roads, bridges, traffic signage, design improvements, and other transportation improvement projects. This position will participate in the development of detailed construction drawings and maps, and review complex design plans.
Job Category: Engineering
Job Type: Engineering
Salary and Benefits Information:
Salary: $119,657 – $145,798 per year. Kittitas County employees have access to healthcare benefits, life insurance and supplemental products, leave benefits, and retirement benefits.
Full Description:
Design, prepare, and coordinate the development of construction engineering plans and specifications on all (as a project manager) or portions of (as a team member) road, bridge, drainage, or traffic signage and design improvements, and other transportation improvement projects and similar designs. Develop cost estimates and recommendations towards final cost estimates.
Prepare and participate in the development of detailed construction drawings, topographical profiles and related maps and specification sheets used in Public Works design projects planning and construction coordinating closely with the County Surveyor.
Review complex design plans and specifications for conformance to job requirements. Develop and check complex specialized contract provisions, design agreements and design calculations and attend pre-bid and pre-construction conferences to outline principle construction features.
Compute advanced mathematical calculations used in developing profile, cross-sections, etc. Plot, profile and cross-section, figure grade lines, calculate plots, traverses and similar criteria. Establish points and elevations, proper location and drainage for streets, levees, airport runways and other like structures.
Utilize modern computer assisted drafting programs and techniques in plan review and project design; monitor technology trends and make recommendations to the Director as needed.
Review and coordinate the preparation and use of traffic signs; prepare plans and drawings for other traffic control devices; develop and analyze results of traffic engineering studies. Supervise the Traffic Division of road maintenance.
Coordinate work products and participate with Quad-County RTPO.
Review development plans for storm drainage compliance with County and State Department of Ecology Standards. Prepare staff reports with respect to utilities for proposed developments. Design and coordinate subsurface and drainage improvement projects. Prepare summaries of design deficiencies and recommend the proper corrective action.
Develop and maintain effective relations with the public. Represent Public Works on various committees, at neighborhood organization and community meetings, public hearings, before governmental bodies, and in legal processes.
Assist in the development of a needs assessment in regards to the reconstruction, rehabilitation and/or routine maintenance of the County’s transportation system.
Oversee the County’s bridge inspection program.
Lead all required annual County Road Administration reporting efforts.
Oversee all transportation improvement grant applications and manage grant compliance requirements.