What are the responsibilities and job description for the ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST position at Department of Water Resources?

If you are motivated and excited by doing classic engineering geology, then consider joining the Project Geology team! The Project Geology Section provides engineering geologic services for the design, construction, repair, operations, and maintenance of the State Water Project (SWP) that crosses much of the diverse geology of California. Our challenging projects include dams, reservoirs, power plants, pumping plants, bridges, aqueducts, tunnels, and levees. Services provided by our engineering geologists ensure public safety and longevity of this critical infrastructure.

Project Geology is currently composed of about 30 full-time and part-time engineering geologist positions. We have a variety of working opportunities that include foundation studies, geologic mapping, fault trenching, instrumentation and monitoring, and geologic hazards investigations such as subsidence, landslides, and faulting and seismicity studies. Project Geology makes decisions affecting the safety, durability, and performance of SWP facilities based on sound engineering geology practice.

At DWR, you will have the advantage of numerous resources to support your work and your professional growth, including training, organizational memberships, and knowledgeable and professional colleagues, all of which collaborate for project success. We hope you’ll check out the Duties and Desirable Qualifications below and apply for this great career opportunity to join our SWP team and help deliver water to over 26 million Californians as well as contribute to protecting our environment and species conservation efforts.

Duties: The successful candidate will work on engineering geology projects related to the State Water Project facilities, including dams, canals, and pipelines, as well as design and construction projects related to those facilities. Projects might include collecting, compiling, and analyzing geologic data from geologic mapping, sampling, drilling, trenching, or geotechnical instrumentation; preparing geologic maps and cross sections; responding to urgent or emergency situations; directing contractors in the field; inspecting construction sites; performing research; organizing diverse and complex data; and writing clear and concise reports. Travel, including overnight travel throughout California, is required.

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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist
Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-471417

Position #(s):

843-485-3756-900

Working Title:

Project Geology Engineering Geologist

Classification:

ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

$6,299.00 - $7,510.00 A

$7,212.00 - $9,025.00 B

$8,876.00 - $11,116.00 C

$9,470.00 - $11,859.00 D

# of Positions:

Work Location:

Yolo County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent Intermittent - 1500 Hours

Department Information

Division of Engineering, Geotechnical Services Branch/Project Geology, West 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.

Special Requirements

Must possess a valid California driver's license when conducting State business that requires driving a vehicle. May be required to travel on public roadways including traveling to remote areas. Travel on short notice and overnight lodging will be required on some trips.

Candidates in Range D of this classification must possess a valid Engineering Geologist License from the Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.

The incumbent must be able to make field inspections and site visits in areas of difficult access such as tunnels, trenches, confined spaces, and on steep slopes. Field inspections and site visits may require hiking and/or climbing over rugged terrain.

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: 4/30/2025

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.

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:

We are seeking a candidate with experience and knowledge of California geology and DWR’s State Water Project. Candidates with engineering geology experience, experience managing drilling contractors, experience in geology-related construction inspection and mapping, dam and spillway construction experience, levee and aqueduct leak experience, geotechnical instrumentation, experience writing reports, and possession of California professional geologic licensure are preferred. Candidates with strong data management and computer skills, including intimate knowledge of spreadsheets, databases, GIS, and computer-aided drafting (CAD) programs are encouraged to apply.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in a written format; have excellent interpersonal skills; be hard-working, productive, have a proven track record of working with and meeting tight time frames; be a champion of continuous improvement; be detail- and quality-oriented; possess collaborative, solution-oriented problem-solving skills; and be able to manage multiple tasks and projects at once. Specialty geology license (CEG, CHG) a plus.

Benefits

Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees. We’re located in West Sacramento, close to I-80 and Highway 50, and provide free parking.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Rachel Blum
(916) 695-0271
Rachel.Blum@water.ca.gov

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
(916) 653-6952
weo@water.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (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 a State Employment Application (STD 678) along with a cover letter and a resume. The cover letter is a separate typed document (2 pages maximum) that highlights their relevant experience as it relates to the duties of this position and addresses why the candidate would like to work in Project Geology.

The resume should not exceed two typed pages and should highlight the candidate’s professional experience as it relates to this position’s duty statement.

Please reference the SAP Position Numbers 50068778, 50103331 & 50103280 and Job Control Number 471417 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

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

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

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.

Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link:

ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

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.

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