Senior Development Review Engineer

The City of Paso Robles is seeking an experienced and motivated professional to serve as its senior development review engineer. This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping the City by reviewing development projects looking at city wide infrastructure coordinating construction resolutions and helping ensure that new development and public improvements meet City standards and support the safety functionality and long-term growth of our community.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and solutions-oriented professional who brings strong technical expertise sound judgment and a commitment to responsive public service. This position offers the opportunity to lead and mentor staff work closely with developers and City departments resolve complex engineering issues and make a lasting impact on the infrastructure and development that shape Paso Robles.

If youre ready to bring your engineering expertise and leadership skills to a role that helps shape the future of Paso Robles we invite you to apply today!

About Paso Robles

Nestled in the heart of Californias scenic Central Coast Paso Roblesshort for El Paso de Robles or The Pass of the Oaksoffers a unique blend of small-town charm natural beauty and modern opportunity. Originally founded around its famous mineral hot springs and rich agricultural heritage Paso Robles has grown into a dynamic and thriving community. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm sunny days and cool evenings ideal for both outdoor living and agricultural innovation. With its rolling hills majestic oak trees and panoramic vineyard views Paso Robles provides a truly inspiring setting for work and life.

Paso Robles central location within San Luis Obispo County offers residents easy access to a wide array of cultural educational and recreational attractions. Just a short 30-minute drive south lies California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) a nationally ranked institution known for its hands-on learning and innovation. This proximity fosters strong connections to cutting-edge research continuing education and a highly educated talent pool. To the west scenic Highway 1 leads to the iconic Hearst Castle in San Simeon a historic landmark that draws visitors from around the world with its stunning architecture and sweeping coastal views. Within the county residents can also enjoy the vibrant coastal towns of Morro Bay Cambria and Pismo Beach as well as the eclectic energy of downtown San Luis Obispo. From wine tasting and hiking to art galleries surf spots and farmers markets San Luis Obispo County offers an exceptional quality of life.

Today Paso Robles is best known as a premier wine region home to over 200 wineries producing world-class Zinfandels Cabernet Sauvignons and Rhône varietals. But wine is just the beginning. The city boasts a vibrant downtown filled with boutique shopping award-winning restaurants and a bourgeoning local arts scene. Cultural highlights include the Paso Robles Wine Festival California Mid-State Fair and a variety of community events that bring residents together year-round. A wide array of housing options good schools a welcoming business environment and proximity to outdoor destinations make it an ideal place to live and work. Whether youre a young professional a growing family or someone looking to make a lifestyle change the City of Paso Robles offers the perfect balance of opportunity community and California charm.

The Organization

The City of Paso Robles was incorporated in 1889 as a general law city and operates under the Council-Manager form of government. As of January 1 2025 the Citys population has grown to approximately 31061 reflecting consistent growth over recent years as more residents are drawn to the Citys high quality of life strong community identity and comprehensive municipal services.

The City is a full-service municipality meaning it provides a wide range of essential public services directly to its residents. These include police and fire protection emergency medical response water and wastewater utilities parks and recreation planning and development services public works and community enrichment programs. The City is committed to delivering responsive effective and efficient services that enhance the well-being of its residents and support a safe sustainable and vibrant community.

The governing body consists of a five-member City Council: the Mayor elected at large by the voters of the City; and four Councilmembers elected by district. Voters also elect one City Treasurer at-large. All six elected positions are non-partisan. The City Manager appointed by the City Council serves as the Chief Executive Officer and is authorized to appoint all non-elected employees with the exception of the City Attorney.

The City operates with a total annual budget of $148.5 million for fiscal year 2026-27 and employs 311.97 full-time equivalent positions across the departments of Administrative Services City Managers Office Community Development Community Services Fire and Emergency Services Police Public Works and Utilities.

The Department

The following duties are typical of this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the duties set forth below and/or may be required to perform additional related duties to address City needs and evolving business practices.

Knowledge of:

• Principles practices methods and techniques of civil engineering including the planning design review and construction of public infrastructure and private development improvements.
• Engineering principles and practices related to land development subdivision design grading drainage stormwater management transportation planning traffic engineering and public improvement design.
• The Subdivision Map Act and applicable federal state and local laws regulations codes ordinances policies and standards governing land development engineering design and public improvements.
• Principles and practices related to the review of subdivision and parcel maps grading plans drainage calculations improvement plans construction drawings specifications engineering reports traffic studies and cost estimates.
• Principles and practices of stormwater management including post-construction stormwater requirements applicable water quality regulations and related permitting requirements.
• Principles and practices of traffic engineering roadway design transportation planning pedestrian and bicycle circulation and traffic impact analysis.
• Principles and practices of engineering design construction methods construction inspection project coordination and quality assurance as applied to public infrastructure and private development.
• Engineering standards specifications easements dedications improvement agreements development conditions of approval and other requirements associated with land development and public improvements.
• Principles and practices of project coordination consultant oversight technical review and coordination with governmental agencies utilities developers contractors and other stakeholders.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision including work planning assignment review performance feedback training mentoring coaching and employee development.
• Techniques for resolving technical problems evaluating alternatives exercising sound professional judgment and recommending effective and practical solutions.
• Principles and techniques of customer service conflict resolution negotiation and communicating complex technical information to audiences with varying levels of technical knowledge.
• Principles and practices of technical report preparation recordkeeping plan review documentation and written and oral presentations.
• Applicable computer applications and engineering tools used for plan review design technical analysis project coordination and preparation of engineering documents.

Ability to:

• Perform difficult-level professional civil engineering work with a high degree of independence and sound professional judgment within established policies standards and delegated authority.
• Review interpret and evaluate complex development applications engineering plans subdivision maps grading and drainage plans stormwater management plans traffic studies specifications calculations and technical reports for accuracy completeness and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Identify engineering deficiencies assess potential impacts develop alternatives and recommend appropriate technical solutions and conditions of approval.
• Apply and explain applicable laws regulations City codes ordinances engineering standards and development requirements consistently and effectively.
• Coordinate development review activities across departments and with outside agencies consultants developers contractors and other stakeholders to resolve issues and facilitate timely project processing.
• Provide technical leadership and direction to assigned staff; plan organize prioritize assign review and evaluate work to support quality consistency and timely completion of assignments.
• Effectively train mentor coach and develop staff; communicate technical concepts and expectations clearly; provide constructive feedback; conduct performance evaluations; and support staff in building technical expertise sound judgment and professional independence.
• Establish priorities manage competing deadlines monitor progress and adjust work plans in response to changing assignments and operational needs.
• Exercise tact diplomacy accountability and sound judgment when addressing complex or sensitive technical issues differing professional opinions and challenging customer interactions.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing and prepare clear accurate and well-supported technical reports recommendations correspondence and presentations.
• Explain complex engineering requirements and technical issues in understandable terms to City staff public officials developers consultants and members of the public.
• Represent the City professionally in meetings with governmental agencies community groups developers consultants contractors and the public.
• Review consultant work products monitor progress identify deficiencies and communicate required revisions to ensure compliance with project requirements and professional standards.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with employees supervisors other City departments public agencies professional organizations and the public.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering review procedures customer service operational efficiency consistency and risk management and recommend appropriate changes to the City Engineer.
• Adapt to changing priorities evolving regulations new technologies and emerging engineering practices.

Human Relations and Communications Skills

Frequent internal and external contact to carry out organizational programs explain specialized matters or enforce laws ordinances policies and procedures. May include occasional contact with higher-level officials requiring cooperation explanation and persuasion.

Analytical Skills and Complexity

Exercises considerable analytical ability to select evaluate and interpret data from multiple sources. Requires interpretation and application of guidelines policies and procedures to determine appropriate actions.

Education and Experience

A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Possession of a bachelors degree with coursework in civil engineering or a related field; and
• Five years of progressively responsible professional civil engineering experience including substantial development review land development engineering construction management or a related field.

License and Certifications

Requires possession of the following:

• A valid California Class C driver license and a satisfactory driving record
• Must obtain a California Civil Engineer license within four years of appointment.

Certification as an engineer-in-training or registration as a land surveyor is desirable.

To be considered for this opportunity applicants must submit a completed employment applicationresume and cover letterby the application deadline. Applications will be reviewed for accuracy completeness and job-related qualifications. A limited number of candidates whose qualifications most closely meet the requirements may be invited to participate in the selection process which may include written oral and/or performance examinations.

This is a confidential recruitment. References will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established. All information provided in application materials is subject to verification. False statements may result in disqualification or discharge.

Appointment is contingent upon successfully completing a background investigation and criminal history check. Before beginning employment applicants must provide documentation of identity and authorization to work in the United States as well as a current DMV driving record.

Following appointment employees must successfully complete a 12-month probationary period as the final phase of the appointment process.

The email address provided on the City application will be the primary means of communication regarding this recruitment. The City of Paso Robles participates in E-Verify. More information is available at For questions regarding the application process contact Human Resources at or .

All persons employed by the City of Paso Robles are designated as disaster service workers as defined in the California Government Code section 3100 and 3101.