Engineering Geologist

Job Description and Duties

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

Are you looking for an exciting and fulfilling career in Water Resources? If you enjoy a career in public service for healthy water quality through fair, firm, consistent and transparent enforcement of water quality regulations, then this may be the position for you! Apply today and join our team. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region has an opening for an Engineering Geologist in the Compliance Assurance Unit. The position is located at 2375 Northside Drive, San Diego, California 92108, in the Mission Valley area near light rail stations and other public transportation.

Duties: The Engineering Geologist is responsible for collecting, compiling, reviewing, and communicating information to make compliance determinations using scientific, technical, and adjudicated standards primarily related to the discharge of dredged and fill material and also across multiple surface and groundwater protection programs throughout the Regional Board’s area of responsibility. The position requires the ability to work independently, meticulously maintain records, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks, and become proficient in technical, writing, and presentation skills. Daily proficient use of office equipment and the Microsoft Office Suite is required. Field work involving stream and wetland project locations, regulated facilities, and natural site inspections is required.

Additional information:

Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.

If the position requires driving, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Please Do Not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: .

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position .

In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment. Proof of residency may be required.

Salary Information - CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. E mployees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved

In addition, note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:

• RPA# 26-190-014 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
• Photocopies of degree and official transcripts (if needed to establish eligibility).

Must have Engineering Geologist list, transfer, or reinstatement eligibility and be reachable on the certification list. Here is the link to the exam: .

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States that does meet accreditation standards must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due during final minimum qualification evaluation of candidate(s). A link of accepted evaluation agencies can be found here: .

Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through jobs.ca.gov is preferred. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD. 678), including work experience, dates, hours worked, contact names and phone numbers of supervisors on the state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD. 678 may be disqualified.

In the hiring interview, the panel will consider education, experience, personal development, personal traits and fitness for the job. In appraising experience, more weight may be given to the breadth of pertinent experience and evidence of the candidate's ability to accept and fulfill increasing responsibilities than to the length of his/her experience. For additional information, you may refer to the class specification.

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:

• Demonstrated interest in the purpose of enforcement in regulating, protecting, and restoring water quality.
• Experience preparing or critically reviewing environmental compliance reports submitted to a CalEPA department or board, preferably involving the biological, chemical, or physical integrity of surface water, groundwater, or contaminated soils.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain complex technical information in plain language and to engage in constructive and assertive communication.
• Experience evaluating stream alteration and flow, groundwater discharges to surface water, or land stabilization related to implementation of Federal or State laws for protecting natural resources or human health.
• Strong attention to detail, including experience maintaining accurate and thorough records during research, inspections, or investigations.

Benefits

Water Board employees may be eligible for benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees, and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. and

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, and must be no more than two (2) pages in length, using Arial 12 pt. font (or equivalent), and normal margins.

Your response must specifically address each of the following factors:

1. Your experience applying engineering geology methods and principles related to implementation of Federal and State laws related to environmental programs.
2. Your experience developing/preparing and/or critically reviewing environmental compliance reports.
3. Your experience conducting inspections for site characterization or hazard mitigation involving erosion control and land stabilization.
4. Your knowledge and/or experience conducting subsurface geologic and geotechnical investigations to assess the fate and transport of contaminants in coastal and marine sedimentary basins.
5. Your experience and/or training involving conflict management.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated will not be considered.

For guidance on writing effective SOQs, visit: . Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethically. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

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.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see below for specific requirements.
• Other - Cover Letter is required and must be included.