ENGINEER, WATER RESOURCES

Department of Water Resources

$6,488.00 - $12,152.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 8/4/2026

This position requires reporting and working in the office four days per week.

Join our team of highly motivated engineering professionals who are performing important and exciting hydrology and water resources work! This position offers a unique opportunity to combine science, technology, and public service while contributing to California's water resilience and climate adaptation efforts. We hope you’ll check out the Duties and Desirable Qualifications below and apply for this great career opportunity to join our team performing hydrologic modeling, snow surveys, and water supply forecasting and providing critical data and forecasts to our partner agencies and the public for most major river basins in California.

As California’s primary water management agency, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) leads statewide snow hydrology and water supply forecasting efforts through several programs within its Hydrology Section. These include the California Cooperative Snow Surveys program, the Aerial Remote Sensing of Snow program, the statewide hydrometeorological monitoring network, and the Water Supply Forecasting program. Together, these programs generate essential data and forecasts that support water management, flood operations, environmental stewardship, and decision-making for agencies and stakeholders throughout California.

At DWR you will have the support of knowledgeable and helpful colleagues, robust training programs, and professional organizational memberships for your professional growth. Our large organization provides an opportunity for a long and promising career full of growth and opportunity.

Under the direction of the Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit manager, the incumbent will develop and maintain runoff forecasting models and hydrologic analyses, use Python, machine learning, and advanced modeling tools to improve forecasting capabilities, collect and analyze field data from remote mountain and watershed locations, produce and communicate water supply forecasts to water agencies, reservoir operators, stakeholders, and the public, and collaborate with State, federal, academic, and industry partners on innovative water forecasting initiatives, and help manage the interagency CCSS program. Periodic travel and fieldwork, including winter snow surveys, is required. This position may also serve in one of the management sections established in the Incident Command System to assist the Department in performing its emergency preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation functions.

Division of Flood Operations, Hydrology and Flood Operations, Hydrology Section, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit; Sacramento

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.

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: 8/4/2026

Who May Apply

How To Apply

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
• Statement of Qualifications - See Special Instructions for additional details.

We are seeking candidates with experience in Civil or Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Water Resources, Meteorology, or a closely related field. Preferred qualifications include experience with hydrologic modeling, hydroclimate analyses, and statistical analysis of hydrologic and climate data. Candidates should have knowledge of California weather and climate patterns, geography, and snow hydrology, as well as experience with hydrometeorological data collection and quality assurance/quality control. The incumbent is expected to be able to learn and adapt quickly, exhibit strong organizational and problem-solving skills, possess exemplary written and verbal communication skills, exhibit strong interpersonal skills, and can work cooperatively in multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder groups.

Proficiency with programming, scripting, and automation, particularly Python, is highly desirable, along with experience using GIS, remote sensing technologies, and spatial data analysis tools to support water resources and hydrologic applications. Experience managing and analyzing environmental datasets and communicating technical findings through presentations to diverse audiences is also valued.

The successful candidate will have the ability to conduct fieldwork in remote or backcountry environments and preferably possess experience with field leadership, logistics, and coordinating projects or field activities with multiple agencies, organizations, and stakeholders.

Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees. Free parking!

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.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Timothy McDaniel
(916) 281-5693
timothy.mcdaniel@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
civilrights@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.