Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position and might be expected to comply with Executive Order (EO) 22-25 after July 1, 2026.

Salary Information - CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. E mployees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved Civil Service Pay Scales.

In addition, note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable bargaining contract. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

The State Water Resources Control Board has two openings for Engineering Geologists in the Office of Sustainable Groundwater Management. The incumbent will help implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). SGMA may be the biggest change in California water law in the last century. SGMA was enacted to halt groundwater overdraft and bring groundwater basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge, ideally through local management of groundwater. The Board’s implementation of SGMA will involve supporting local, regional, and statewide efforts and may involve limiting pumping, on a temporary basis, where and when found to be warranted. For information on the State Water Resources Control Board's implementation of SGMA, please see the duty statement and these links:

• Program website:
• Most recent SGMA board hearing:
• Most recent OSGM information item:
• Board racial equity resolution:

• Principles and strategies related to drinking water wells:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:

• RPA# 25-240-006 & 25-240-007 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
• Photocopies of degree and official transcripts (if needed to establish eligibility).

Must have Engineering Geologist list, transfer, or reinstatement eligibility and be reachable on the certification list.

Here is the link to the exam:

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States that does meet accreditation standards must have education records evaluated by a credential’s evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due during final minimum qualification evaluation of candidate(s). A link of accepted evaluation agencies can be found here: .

Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through jobs.ca.gov is preferred. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD. 678), including work experience, dates, hours worked, contact names and phone numbers of supervisors on the state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD. 678 may be disqualified.

In the hiring interview, the panel will consider education, experience, personal development, personal traits and fitness for the job. In appraising experience, more weight may be given to the breadth of pertinent experience and evidence of the candidate's ability to accept and fulfill increasing responsibilities than to the length of his/her experience. For additional information, you may refer to the class specifications.

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:

Experience with:

• Hydrogeology related to California’s groundwater basins.
• Evaluating groundwater quality degradation due to groundwater extraction.
• Interpreting groundwater model simulation results.
• Using tools such as ArcGIS Pro, Python, R, or other spatial and data analysis platforms.
• Evaluating surface water and/or groundwater rights pertaining to California.
• Working with diverse groups on complex issues.
• Communicating in Spanish.

Benefits

Water Board employees may be eligible for benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees, and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. and

Statement of Qualifications

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than two (2) pages in length, using Arial, 12-point font , and normal margins.

Please explain how your knowledge, skills, or experience related to the qualifications listed in the “Desirable Qualifications” section of this posting. Please use each desirable qualification as a heading.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated may not be considered.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

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.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see below for specific requirements.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Remote work,

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