Jobs › Waukesha County

Senior Civil Engineer (may underfill as Civil Engineer)

Waukesha County · Waukesha, WI · $44.82–$62.22 an hour · Full time

Posted Mar 23, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Walk me through how you've delivered a highway project using the WisDOT Facilities Development Process.

What they are checking: Whether they know the WisDOT process from scoping through construction, which is how this job is done.

Describe your experience with real estate acquisition for a road project.

What they are checking: Whether they understand right-of-way work and how it affects schedule and public relations.

Tell me about a time you supervised technical staff on a demanding project.

What they are checking: Whether they can lead and develop engineers and technicians, not just do the work themselves.

What would you do

Utility relocation is running behind and could push the letting date. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can work with utilities and adjust schedules to keep a project moving.

You're running a public information meeting and residents are angry about a road closure. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can stay calm, explain the project clearly and take concerns seriously in public.

Highway Operations reports a recurring drainage problem on a county road. How would you approach the fix?

What they are checking: Whether they can diagnose a field problem and design a practical, lasting solution.

About the work

How do you oversee a consultant's design to keep it on time and on budget?

What they are checking: Whether they actively manage consultants with reviews, milestones and invoice checks rather than handing off work.

How do you scope a capital highway project and decide what goes in the capital plan?

What they are checking: Whether they can weigh condition, safety, traffic and cost to set sound priorities.

How have you used a highway asset management system to guide maintenance decisions?

What they are checking: Whether they use data on pavement and assets to make smart, defensible choices.

What do you check when reviewing contractor pay requests and change orders?

What they are checking: Whether they protect public money by verifying quantities and justifying changes carefully.

How do you write specifications and bid documents that reduce disputes during construction?

What they are checking: Whether they write clear specs that leave little room for misreading, which prevents costly claims.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Waukesha County from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Waukesha County.

SALARY RANGE $44.82 - $62.22 WORK ASSIGNMENT DETAILS We are seeking an experienced Senior Civil Engineer to join our team in Waukesha County. In this role, you will perform advanced-level professional engineering work. You will function as a project manager and perform other duties as required. Key Responsibilities: • Following the WisDOT Facilities Development Process, coordinate with WisDOT, resource agencies, and project stakeholders to deliver capital highway projects, including design, real estate acquisition, utility relocation, and construction. • Coordinate with Waukesha County Highway Operations to provide engineering solutions for highway maintenance issues and support optimized highway asset management. • Develop specifications, cost estimates, RFPs, and bid documents for complex engineering projects. • Oversee consultant design to ensure quality on-time and on-budget delivery, including contracting and invoicing. • Prepare and administer contracts, ensure specifications are met, and manage consultant field personnel. • Supervise technical engineering staff and manage computerized highway asset management systems. • Conduct public information meetings and hearings, responding to agency, public, and media concerns. • Capital highway project needs identification, scoping, and capital plan development. • Highway design and construction project management. • Highway design and construction project controls (scope, cost, schedule, quality, risk, and communication). • Oversight of consultant delivered traffic operations and engineering analysis, reports and plan production. • Proactive resolution of engineering risks and issues. Key Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: • Comprehensive knowledge of federal, state, and local statutes and regulations governing highway design and construction. • Strong analytical skills to research and resolve engineering, scheduling, and contract issues. • Proficient in advanced engineering computations and use of CADD, GIS, and other engineering applications. • Proficient in project management, project controls, contract negotiations, and computerized engineering software. • Knowledge and background with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Facilities Development Manual and Processes. • Knowledge and background with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s Traffic Engineering, Operations and Safety Manual. • Ability to manage multiple large and complex projects. • Strong verbal and written communication skills. • Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with various stakeholders. • Ability to interact effectively with diverse cultural backgrounds. • Knowledge and background with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation Standard Construction Specifications and Construction and Materials Manual. The Department of Public Works - Engineering Division may consider under-filling this position as a Civil Engineer instead of a Senior Civil Engineer. Civil Engineer starting salary range is $80,469 - $96,108. Full range extends to $111,726. Work Schedule : in-office Monday - Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm (core hours) If you are curious about the comprehensive benefit package we offer, click here . Join us and become a part of a team dedicated to the development and safety of our community's infrastructure. If you are passionate about engineering and making a positive impact in your community, we encourage you to apply! Please include a cover letter and resume but not in lieu of fully completing the application. Prior to hiring, the successful candidate will be subject to work/education/certification reference(s) verification, a criminal background and driver's license check. CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION To view the full classification specification for Senior Civil Engineer click here . Minimum Training & Experience Requirements 1. Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering or a closely related field. 2. Four (4) years of responsible, professional civil engineering work experience including the planning, design, and construction of highways and other transportation or soil and water conservation facilities, or a closely related field. 3. Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin, or Registration as a Professional Engineer in another state with license reciprocity and ability to achieve licensing in Wisconsin within the first 90 days of employment. To view the full classification specification for Civil Engineer click here . Minimum Training & Experience Requirements 1. Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering, or a closely related field, by May 25, 2026. Waukesha County provides a comprehensive compensation and benefits package including excellent health/dental/vision, life insurance, generous paid time off (vacation, 10 holidays, 3 floating holidays, ample accrued sick time that rolls over each year), an exceptional pension plan with employer match and lifetime retirement payment plus an optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan. Amongst many other benefits, employees are recognized and valued through a pay for performance system. Successful candidates will be eligible for performance-based merit increases and non-base performance awards. Employee well-being is promoted through a balanced work-life culture and through an exceptional employee wellness program that offers a variety of programs and tools to help promote an employee's wellness and health, including an on-site health & wellness clinic. About Us: Waukesha County prides itself on operating in a business-like manner and is recognized as a leader delivering high quality services with competence and skill. With our vision of "Leading the Way", we value teamwork and collaboration, ethics and diversity, communication, efficiency and cost savings, innovation, and the wellbeing of our staff and the citizens we serve. Employees are provided professional development opportunities and encouragement to learn and practice continuous improvement and LEAN principles as we regularly ask ourselves "Is there a better way?" Location: Located in the City of Waukesha, our campus offers an on-site fitness center, free parking, and easy access to interstate highway systems. Waukesha County offers a perfect blend of urban and rural living where one can enjoy the benefits of quiet rural lake communities or opt for nearby attractions that the greater Milwaukee area offers including vast beach and park systems, public markets, performing arts, music festivals, and sports including the Milwaukee Admirals, Brewers, Bucks, Wave, Marquette University Golden Eagles and the UW-Milwaukee Panthers Basketball programs. EEO: Waukesha County is committed to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in employment and adheres to all Federal, State and County Equal Employment Opportunity laws, policies, plans, rules, regulations and ordinances. The County recognizes and accepts its important leadership role in providing for equal employment/service opportunities. It is the express policy of Waukesha County to promote equal employment opportunity among all who are employed by Waukesha County and who seek employment with Waukesha County. For further information visit: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov The County does not sponsor applicants for work visas. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

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