ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

Job Description and Duties

DWR’s Southern Region Office Hydrogeology Section is seeking a geologist who enjoys multi-disciplinary, challenging, and rewarding work in a high-energy, team-oriented, telework environment who will support a wide variety of projects across DWR and throughout the State, building towards a reliable, sustainable, and resilient water supply. If you are interested, please apply today!

Engineering Geologists in the Southern Region Office assist the Department, other agencies, and the public with technical studies, data collection and distribution, the public by responding to requests for geologic and hydrologic information, and work with other public agencies. 

Under general supervision of the Hydrogeology Section Manager, the successful Engineering Geologist candidate will assist with geologic, hydrogeologic, and engineering geologic investigations and support efforts with DWR Regional Offices, the Sustainable Water Management Office, and the Division of Engineering. The job duties require both office work (in a hybrid telework environment) and project-specific field work. Office work will be related to: the collection, compilation, and evaluation of hydrogeologic data; the planning and coordination of geological field studies; writing technical documents; and reviewing groundwater sustainability plans and other technical documents. Field work will be related to: overseeing drilling; collecting and logging formation samples during drilling; well construction and development; measuring groundwater levels; and collecting water quality samples.

Other office tasks may include: engagement with the public to respond to inquiries; equipment procurement; data management; describing geologic and hydrogeologic features and conditions; preparation of maps; and database maintenance. Other fieldwork may include: installing and maintaining pressure transducers and telemetry equipment; geophysical logging, and performance of site investigations.

Careful data management, working in a collaborative team-environment, and attending in-person and virtual meetings are important components of this position.

This position requires driving and working in the field, traveling to meetings and trainings, and overnight lodging.

DWR values a diverse workforce and is committed to promoting an inclusive work environment that respects and embraces differences where employees from various backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and valued.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid California driver’s license is required to operate a State vehicle on public roadways to get to meetings and field sites. The incumbent must be able to travel occasionally, on short notice, and stay overnight for several consecutive days at field locations.

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: 6/4/2024

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list 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

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

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
• Other - See Supplemental Questionnaire information under Special Instructions below.

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.

Benefits

to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees. We also offer free parking.

Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
James Walker

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 Workforce Equality

California Relay Service: (TTY), (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), resume, Supplemntal Questionnaire and cover letter. Please reference SAP Position # 50050880 and Job Control # 429964 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

Supplemental Questionnaire : Please submit a separate typed document in 12-point Arial font, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins. Limit each question to a maximum of 3 pages.

1. Experience designing and implementing field investigations, including those performed in an academic setting, and how that experience qualifies you for this position.
2. Experience producing figures that illustrate the results of field investigations. Explain, in detail, how geologic and hydrogeologic information can be portrayed graphically.
3. Experience conveying technical information to a non-technical audience.  In addition to your general experience, describe a specific project, including: the makeup of the team, your role in the project and the outcome of the project.

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

. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.