Water Resources Engineering Branch Manager

Job Description and Duties

Are you passionate about water resources, leadership, and making a lasting impact on California's communities and environment? The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is seeking an experienced and motivated leader to manage our Water Resources Engineering Branch in the Northern Region.

This is more than a management position—it's an opportunity to help shape the future of water resources across 14 Northern California counties while leading a talented team of engineers, hydrologists, scientists, and technical professionals.

As the Water Resources Engineering Branch Manager, you'll:

Lead a High-Performing Team

• Provide direction, mentorship, and support to professional engineering and technical staff.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and positive workplace culture.
• Recruit, develop, and retain talented employees.
• Guide performance management, employee development, and workforce planning.

Make a Regional Impact

• Oversee investigations and studies involving hydrology, hydraulics, flood management, watershed management, and surface water resources.
• Identify emerging water-related issues affecting Northern California communities.
• Help develop solutions that balance water supply, flood protection, environmental stewardship, recreation, and public interests.

Drive Strategic Decision-Making

• Serve as a trusted advisor to regional leadership.
• Collaborate with Branch Managers and executive leadership to establish priorities and allocate resources.
• Act on behalf of the Region Manager during absences.

Build Meaningful Partnerships

• Work directly with local governments, water agencies, tribal organizations, federal partners, and community stakeholders.
• Represent DWR at meetings, presentations, and public forums.
• Strengthen relationships that support California's water management goals.

Manage Programs and Resources

• Oversee budgets, funding allocations, expenditures, and program delivery.
• Ensure projects and reports meet DWR standards and objectives.
• Guide the Watermaster Program and support regional water management initiatives.

Shape California's Water Future

• Review and provide technical guidance on planning studies, environmental documents, and water resource projects.
• Support sustainable water management, flood risk reduction, environmental protection, and watershed health throughout the region.

At DWR, your work matters. Every day you'll contribute to projects and decisions that affect communities, agriculture, ecosystems, and water reliability across California.

Join a team that values innovation, collaboration, professional growth, and public service while tackling some of the most important water challenges facing our state.

Help lead the next generation of water resources management in Northern California. Apply today and make a difference where it counts.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

Must possess a valid California driver's license to drive a personal, rental, or State vehicle to meetings, conferences, trainings, or project sites. The incumbent must be able to travel on short notice and stay overnight, for several consecutive days, at field locations.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

We're seeking a leader who:

• Has strong experience in water resources engineering, hydrology, hydraulics, flood management, watershed management, or related fields.
• Has experience leading and coordinating field surveys, including planning field activities, overseeing data collection, ensuring quality control, and directing field crews.
• Has experience performing contract and/or project management work
• Has Supervisory and Leadership experience and enjoys mentoring and developing staff
• Excels at building partnerships and working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Can balance technical expertise with strategic leadership.
• Is passionate about public service and improving California's water future.

Benefits

to discover the amazing perks waiting for our exceptional team members! Our office is perfectly situated within a stone's throw of both Redding and Chico, making commuting a breeze. Nestled alongside the Sacramento River, Red Bluff is a mere hop from the stunning Lassen Volcanic National Park in just 60 minutes, while the snowy slopes of Mt. Shasta is a 90-minute drive. And if you're longing for the coast scene, Arcata is just over a three-hour scenic drive. Plus, enjoy the freedom of free parking and individual offices.

Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), Resume, Cover Letter, Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please reference SAP Position #50004801 and Job Control #522805 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

Statement of Qualification – Applicants must submit a SOQ describing how their education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities qualify them to perform the duties outlined in the DWR 525 Duty Statement. The SOQ must be no more than two (2) pages in length, typed in 12-point Arial font, and submitted with the application package. Applications submitted without an SOQ may not be considered.

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP), reinstatement, and State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) /Surplus.

The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section. Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.

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 required and must be included.
• Other - Cover Letter
• Statement of Qualifications - See Special Instructions for additional details.