Engineering Geologist

Final Filing Date:  July 21, 2026.

**Please do not apply on Handshake. Applications submitted via Handshake will not be received by DWR.  Online applications MUST BE submitted via https://calcareers.ca.gov/ .**

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.  We hope you’ll apply for this great career opportunity.

Job Description and Duties

The Project Geology Section (Project Geology) is the best place to practice engineering geology while serving the State of California. Project Geology provides engineering geologic services for design, construction, repair, operations, and maintenance of the State Water Project (SWP), which intersects the diverse geology of California. Our challenging projects include work at SWP dams, canals, pipelines, reservoirs, power plants, pumping plants, bridges, aqueducts, tunnels, and levees. Services provided by our engineering geologists ensure public safety and longevity of the critical SWP infrastructure.

Project Geology has a variety of work assignments, including foundation investigations, geologic mapping, fault trenching, and geologic hazards assessments (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 the Department of Water Resources (DWR) you will have the advantage of numerous resources to support your career and professional growth, including training, organizational memberships, and experienced and professional colleagues who collaborate for project success. Please consider this opportunity to join the SWP team, to help deliver water to over twenty-seven million Californians, and to contribute to species conservation and protecting our environment.

The successful candidate will engage in engineering geology, design, and construction projects related to SWP facilities. Specific projects may include: collecting, compiling, and analyzing geologic data; geologic mapping; rock or soil sampling; drilling and exploration trenching; preparing geologic maps and cross sections; assisting with faulting and seismicity studies, geophysical surveys, performing deterministic or probabilistic seismic hazard assessments; presenting information at dam safety hazard and risk workshops as a subject matter expert (geology or seismicity); 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. Overnight travel throughout California is common.

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

Position Details

Job Code #:  JC-521760

Working Title:  Engineering Geologist

Classification:  ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

Salary Range:

$6,488.00 - $7,735.00 A

$7,428.00 - $9,296.00 B

$9,142.00 - $11,449.00 C

$9,754.00 - $12,215.00 D

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:  1

Work Location:  West Sacramento

Telework:  Hybrid

Job Type:  Permanent, Full Time

Contact Information:
Sofia Khan
(916) 764-9689
sofia.khan@water.ca.gov

For more information including detailed job duties, minimum qualifications, and how to apply, please go to  https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=521760

To learn more about how to get a State job, click here.