Division of Engineering, Geotechnical Services Branch, Geotechnical Sciences Section/Soils Unit, 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, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Department Website: https://water.ca.gov.
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 https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.
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 will be able to work closely with others, foster teamwork and a positive work environment, and thrive in a team that encourages cooperation, communication, and mutual sharing of risk, responsibility, and reward. The additional following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
- Interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
- Experience and knowledge in design and remediation of earthen dams, canals, levees, and foundations
- Experience/knowledge in performing geotechnical engineering analysis and preparing geotechnical design recommendations
- Experience/knowledge in geotechnical laboratory testing, field testing, and data analysis
- Experience in developing plans, specifications, and quantity/cost estimates
- Experience in construction support and inspection
- Understanding and use of computer programs, including:
- Geotechnical Engineering Programs (Slope/W, Seep/W, FLAC, LPILE, etc.)
- Computer Aided Design and Drafting programs (MicroStation or AutoCAD, InRoads or OpenRoads Designer, Civil 3D)
- Graphic Information Systems (ArcGIS)
- Programming Languages
- Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project, Teams, OneNote)
- Problem Solving Skills
- Organization Skills
- Engineering Licenses, including:
- Fundamentals of Engineering (aka Engineering-In-Training)
- Professional Civil Engineering License
Click here to read about some of the benefits available to eligible employees. 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! Our new, modern Natural Resources building provides amenities such as complimentary gym facilities, bike lockers, rooftop terraces, and plenty of collaboration spaces.
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.
Interested applicants must submit a: (1) State Employment Application (STD 678), (2) Cover Letter, (3) Resume, and (4) Supplemental Questionnaire. Please reference SAP Position number 50002743 and Job Control #516264 on your application.
This is a readvertisement. If you previously submitted an application package, it remains under consideration and you do not need to reapply.
Supplemental Questionnaire: One-page maximum typed response (Arial 12-pt. font) to the following statement:
Based on the job description, explain why you are interested in this position and want to join our Division of Engineering Geotechnical team. Include examples of relevant experience and how it has prepared you to be a good candidate for this position.
Failure to provide requested documents and information may result in automatic disqualification from the hiring process. 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.
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, however, prior to hiring. You may qualify for list eligibility by visiting www.calcareers.ca.gov, clicking on Exam/Assessment Search, entering Exam Code “1684,” clicking “Search,” click to view the Exam Bulletin, and then clicking the “Training and Experience Evaluation” under the Taking the Examination section.
The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, SROA/Surplus, and training and development assignment.
Click here to complete DWR’s Recruitment Survey. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.
List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.
Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link: ENGINEER, WATER RESOURCES
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.
