Engineer Water Resources

Final Filing Date:  August 4, 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

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.

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

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-524816

Working Title: Engineer WR

Classification: ENGINEER, WATER RESOURCES

Salary Range:       

$6,488.00 - $7,735.00 A

$7,428.00 - $9,296.00 B

$8,896.00 - $11,131.00 C

$9,712.00 - $12,152.00 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:  Sacramento  

Telework:  Hybrid

Job Type:  Permanent, Full Time

Contact Information:
Timothy McDaniel
(916) 281-5693
timothy.mcdaniel@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=524816.

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