Senior Architect

The incumbent will act as the architectural design lead and job manager for large-scale, complex design projects and act as a project manager for less-complex design projects; Develop scope, schedule, and budgets for projects and identify and mitigate project risks; Provide technical direction and review to architectural staff and draftspersons during all phases of design, planning, and evaluations in order to assure compliance with all Department and regulatory standards; Meet and coordinate with clients and architectural staff to provide architectural programming, design criteria, and design concepts as the design lead; Provide technical expertise, product/material evaluation and selection, logistical knowledge, coordination and production; Provide relevant information to the Supervising Architect to assist in determining manpower and fiscal requirements for the architectural section.


You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR ARCHITECT

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-527660


Position #(s):
843-420-3961-091

Working Title:
Senior Architect


Classification:
SENIOR ARCHITECT $11,437.00 - $14,315.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.


# of Positions:
1


Work Location:
Sacramento County


Telework:
Hybrid


Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time


Department Information
Division of Engineering

Design / Structural Engineering Branch

Sacramento

Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California's water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.

At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department. Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state's people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.

DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect. An important component of DWR's equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Department Website:

Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWR's Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via


Special Requirements
This position requires possession of a valid certificate of registration as an Architect issued by the California State Board of Architectural Examiners. You will be required to provide a copy of your certificate prior to being hired. As a licensed architect, the incumbent will be required to sign architectural drawings and specifications.


Must possess a valid driver's license to drive a personal, State, or rental vehicle on public roadways. Travel on short notice and overnight lodging will be required on some trips. Travel to locations may involve driving a pick-up truck off road usually on rugged terrain to and from the job sites.


Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 9/16/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).


How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:


Address for Mailing Application Packages


You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:


Department of Water Resources
Mailing Address
Attn: Division of Human Resources
P.O. Box 1079


Sacramento , CA 95812


Address for Drop-Off Application Packages


You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:


Department of Water Resources
Submit in Person
Certification Desk
715 P Street, 7th floor


Sacramento , CA 95814


08:00 AM - 04:30 PM


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.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.


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:


The ideal candidate's application and resume will clearly and concisely address as many of the following desirable qualifications as possible:

• Architectural Knowledge & Experience: Experience in the architectural field and especially in the duties mentioned on the duty statement; demonstrate knowledge, experience and leadership in the architectural field leading large design projects.
• Leadership, Teamwork & Multidisciplinary Coordination: will have experience in the leadership roles, directing the work of architectural design staff, decision making, mentoring, and the ability to work effectively with other disciplines; including engineers, consultants and construction staff.
• Preparing Contract Documents: experienced with and understands what is required in preparing contract drawings and specifications for complete, accurate and biddable set of contract documents; quality control, estimating material quantities, design cost comparisons. Public contracting and understanding public-works contracting requirements is a plus.
• Multitasking & Workload Management: Ability to manage multiple projects; review contractor submittal reviews, responding to Requests For Information (RFI's), coordination with construction staff, making site visits for inspections and reconnaissance.
• Accessibility, California Access Specialist (CASp); Experience with accessibility related projects, access barrier removal projects. California Access Specialist certification.
• Complex / Non-Conventional Buildings: Experience with complex structures, pumping plants, utility buildings, non-public access facilities and recreational facilities.
• Computer Skills: experience with BIM/CAD - Revit, AutoCAD, Microstation or other BIM/CAD tools. Construction specification writing software RIB SpecLink or others.

Benefits
Click here to read about some of our outstanding benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plans; paid holidays; personal (floating) holidays, and more. We're also located right next to Light Rail for an easy commute - we'll even reimburse you for a portion of your monthly public transit pass!


PLP2025

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 Human Resources Manual - CalHR


Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Nicolaus Seppi
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Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Office of Civil Rights
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California Relay Service: View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY), View phone number on click.appcast.io (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.


Special Instructions


Interested applicants must submit an application package that consists of a State Employment Application (STD 678), a resume, a statement of qualifications (SOQ), and a cover letter that introduces yourself and briefly explains why you believe you're a good fit for this position. The application package may be submitted electronically via your CalCareer account, or to the address shown. Please reference the SAP Position 50002911 and Job Control 527660 on your application.


The SOQ is a single-spaced and 12-point Arial font document that describes your experience on at least five (5) projects in performing the activities listed in the Desirable Qualifications. For each listed project, include the project name, the beginning and end dates of the project, a two-sentence maximum project description, and a three-sentence maximum description of your roles and responsibilities on the project team.


Failure to provide requested documents and information may result in automatic disqualification from the hiring process. Resumes, statement of qualifications, 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.


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


You are not required to be on an eligibility list at the time you apply for this position. Simply submit your application today using the provided instructions. List eligibility will eventually be required, prior to hiring.


Click here to complete DWR's Recruitment Survey . This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.


Examination/Assessment


For more information about the State hiring process, click here . To learn more about how to get a State job, click here .


List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.


The Department of Water Resources will be using the examination(s)/assessment(s) listed below:
SENIOR ARCHITECT


Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.


It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.