Engineering Geologist

Job Description and Duties

Are you looking for a fulfilling career that provides you the opportunity to work on a variety of projects across California to help communities build resilience to the impacts of climate change on water resources? Do you have an interest in groundwater and how the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act is being implemented in our state to achieve regional sustainable water balance? The Financial Assistance Branch (Branch) of the Division of Regional Assistance (Division) is looking for an Engineering Geologist to join our diverse, dynamic, and multi-disciplinary team. In this position, you would help review grant applications and select high impact projects to receive state funding. You would also manage awarded grants and contracts and work closely with regional and local agencies, non-profits, underrepresented communities, and Tribes, to ensure completion of projects and proper use of state funds. You would perform related geologic, hydrogeologic, and geophysical and/or engineering analyses and will apply your expertise to review technical deliverables for the grant-funded projects. The grant programs provide millions of dollars to fund a wide range of water-related projects across the state, allowing you to gain valuable experience. Examples of projects we fund include groundwater recharge, aquifer storage and recharge, well installation, and water treatment and recycling to ensure clean drinking water for all Californians. We are proud to provide hundreds of millions of dollars in critical funding to benefit all Californians, including those who are typically hardest hit by drought and wildfires. Our work is truly essential! You would be coached and mentored by a Senior Engineer and Senior Engineering Geologist and may conduct special assignments for the Branch Leadership Team. This position will require periodic travel throughout the State to meet with grant recipients and perform site visits/inspections for grant funded projects.

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional individual to join our team! We look forward to seeing your application!

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

This position requires the incumbent to be able to travel by airplane, vehicle and/or other form of transportation to different areas or field locations in California, with some overnight stay or overnight travel to attend meetings and conduct site visits. Overtime work may be required to meet program deadlines.

The Department of Water Resources is committed to its mission and employees, and we are grounded in our commitment to public safety. Regular, consistent, and predictable attendance is essential to the successful performance in this position.

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination. 

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:

Our ideal candidate enjoys a challenge, is committed to continued personal and professional growth, enjoys working in a multi-faceted team environment, is highly organized, industrious, and accountable; has strong problem-solving, project management, and analytical abilities; has excellent verbal and written communication skills; can effectively multi-task priorities in a matrix management organization; and is efficient with Microsoft Office Suite, including programs such as Outlook, SharePoint, Word, Excel, and other database software such as Access. The incumbent will be expected to be flexible, work well both independently and as a team player; develop collaborative working relationships with colleagues at DWR, grantees, and partner agencies; and exercise good judgment. Previous customer service, public presentation experience, grant/project/budget management, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and water resources planning knowledge and experience would be a plus. 

Benefits

Our brand new, state-of-the-art Natural Resources Headquarters Building is located right next to Light Rail in downtown Sacramento for an easy commute – we’ll even reimburse you for a portion of your monthly public transit pass! We offer continuous professional development and a wide range of training opportunities. to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

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 the following documents: (1) State Application (STD 678); (2) One-page Cover Letter outlining why you would like this position and feel it is a good fit; (3) Resume; and (4) Statement of Qualifications.

Please reference SAP Position # 50083103and Job Control # 527201 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

The Statement of Qualifications is a separate typed document, two-pages minimum to four-pages maximum, in Arial 11-point font only, that describes the candidate’s experience and/or knowledge of geology , experience with public presentations, prior work, customer service, collaboration and teamwork, hydrology/hydrogeology/groundwater classes or relatable work, and California water resource classes or relatable work experiences as directly relates to the Job Duty Statement.

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.

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

. 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.