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Dredging Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

... dredging projects. * Incentives: Discretionary bonus and recognition programs * Time Off: 3 weeks PTO plus 8 paid holidays * Total Rewards: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you ...

HSSE Administrator

Long Beach, CA ยท On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Under general supervision, the HSSE Administrator works as part of Curtin Maritime's Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Department in support of the Company's maritime and dredging operations.

Sales Reports to: VP Sales, Industrial Minerals and Dredging Location: Remote Shift: 1st Region: Southern California and surrounding Industry Segments: Sand & gravel, potash, phosphate, soda ash ...

GIS Industry Solutions Manager - Ports

Redlands, CA ยท On-site

$84K - $113K/yr

... dredging and inter-agency coordination, and port business systems, and more * Position Esri as a thought leader in the port and maritime industry. This includes participation in industry association ...

GIS Industry Solutions Manager - Ports

Redlands, CA ยท On-site

$84K - $113K/yr

... dredging and inter-agency coordination, and port business systems, and more * Position Esri as a thought leader in the port and maritime industry. This includes participation in industry association ...

Showing results 21-40

Dredging information

See California salary details

$13

$25

$41

How much do dredging jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for dredging in California is $25.81, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.35 and $28.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dredging operator?

To thrive as a Dredging Operator, you need mechanical aptitude, knowledge of dredging techniques, and relevant certifications such as a heavy equipment operator license or maritime credentials. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, dredging machinery, and safety protocols is typically required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help operators adapt to changing conditions and maintain project efficiency. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring safe operations, minimizing environmental impact, and meeting project goals in marine and waterway construction.

Is dredging a hard job?

Dredging is physically demanding work that often involves operating heavy machinery in challenging environments, such as water and confined spaces. It requires technical skills, safety training, and sometimes long or irregular hours, making it a physically and mentally challenging occupation.

What are some of the common challenges faced by professionals working in dredging operations?

Professionals in dredging often face challenges such as working in variable weather conditions, maintaining equipment in harsh marine environments, and adhering to strict environmental and safety regulations. Dredging projects can also require coordination with multiple stakeholders, including port authorities, marine engineers, and environmental agencies, which makes strong communication skills essential. Additionally, project timelines can be impacted by unexpected technical issues or regulatory changes, so adaptability and problem-solving abilities are highly valued in this role.

What does a dredging operator do?

Dredging jobs focus on the removal of sediment from water routes, including streams, rivers, lakes, and artificially created areas. In this role, you operate a large piece of equipment known as a dredge. You also coordinate with a safety engineer and otherwise help ensure marine traffic can continue to work as normal. Many regions also dredge areas that host fish and wildlife, helping to ensure that the area remains safe for aquatic life. Outside of waterway cleaning, people sometimes hire dredges to create new waterways, excavate areas for future work, reclaim damaged areas, deepen existing waterways, or perform other maintenance. Dredging jobs often require traveling to different areas to work as needed, so you may be away from home for extended periods while on the job.

What is dredging?

Dredging is the process of removing sediment, debris, and other materials from the bottom of bodies of water such as rivers, harbors, and canals. Professionals in dredging operate specialized equipment to excavate these materials, helping to maintain navigable waterways, prevent flooding, and support construction or environmental restoration projects. Their work ensures safe passage for ships, protects shorelines, and can also contribute to land reclamation and wetland restoration efforts.

How do you become a dredging professional?

To become a dredging professional, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by specialized training or an apprenticeship in dredging operations. Relevant skills include knowledge of heavy machinery, safety protocols, and environmental regulations, and certifications such as OSHA safety training are often required.

What is the difference between Dredging vs Excavation?

AspectDredgingExcavation
Primary PurposeRemoving sediment and debris from water bodiesDigging and removing earth from land surfaces
Work EnvironmentWaterways, ports, harborsConstruction sites, land development
Required CertificationsHeavy equipment operation, safety certificationsHeavy equipment operation, safety certifications
Industry UsageMaritime, environmental managementConstruction, infrastructure projects

While both dredging and excavation involve earth-moving activities, dredging focuses on removing sediment from water bodies to maintain navigability or environmental health, whereas excavation involves digging land for construction or development projects. Understanding these differences helps in selecting the right skill set and equipment for each task.

What are the most commonly searched types of Dredging jobs in California? The most popular types of Dredging jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Dredging jobs in California? For Dredging jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Dredging jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Dredging jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Dredging jobs? Cities in California with the most Dredging job openings:
Infographic showing various Dredging job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,695 per year, or $25.8 per hour.

Project Environmental Engineer or Scientist

Geoengineers Inc

San Diego, CA โ€ข On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Description

As a Project Environmental Engineer or Scientist, you will be responsible for planning, performing, and managing fieldwork to collect environmental data (soil, sediment, groundwater, and vapor), performing and managing oversight of cleanup construction, lead efforts related to multimedia compliance, evaluating and interpreting environmental data, performing engineering and scientific analysis and evaluation, preparing cleanup documents including work plans, reports and design (design drawings, specifications, and engineers estimate), managing projects/tasks, and mentoring junior staff. Performs duties in collaboration with senior engineers/geologists. ย ย 


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Plan, perform, and manage field explorations and environmental data (soil, sediment, groundwater, and vapor) collection efforts. Field explorations may include drilling and test pitting to collect soil samples, sediment grab sampling and coring, and monitoring well installation and collection of groundwater samples.ย 
  • Lead efforts related to multimedia compliance (predominantly construction and industrial stormwater, but air and wastewater are included). This includes permitting, monitoring, and reporting across construction and operational phases.ย 
  • Evaluate and interpret field and laboratory environmental data, perform engineering/scientific analysis and evaluation, and develop solutions to complex problems.ย 
  • Evaluate the fate and transport of environmental contaminants in various media including soil, sediment, groundwater, and vapor, and develop conceptual site models to evaluate contaminant exposure pathways to receptors.ย 
  • Prepare remedial investigation work plans, sampling and analysis plans, data reports, remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) reports, cleanup action plans, and remedial action completion reports on environmental remediation projects involving multiple contaminated media including soil, sediment, groundwater, and vapor.ย 
  • Prepare design documents and supporting deliverables, including engineering calculations, design drawings, specifications, and engineers' estimate.ย 
  • Prepare permit applications and coordinate with regulatory agencies in obtaining project permits.ย 
  • Support clients with project bidding/contract solicitation, and contractor selection process for cleanup construction.ย 
  • Perform management and oversight of cleanup construction involving remedial excavation, dredging of contaminated sediment and wood debris, installation of sediment caps, installation, operations and maintenance of in-situ remediation systems and site restoration activities.ย 
  • Provide project closeout and long-term monitoring support on environmental remediation projects.ย 
  • Perform project and task management duties, such as developing scopes of work and budgets, coordination with clients, subcontractor solicitation, invoicing, cost control, and contract reviews.ย 
  • Communicate effectively with clients, regulators, contractors and project staff through the lifecycle of a project.ย 
  • Mentor and train junior staff.ย 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in civil or environmental engineering or geology. Master's degree preferred.ย 
  • 3+ years of environmental consulting or related professional experience.ย 
  • QSD or QSP certification preferred.ย ย ย 
  • PE or PG license required.ย 
  • Ability to prepare proposals, work plans, data reports, remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) reports, and design (design drawings, specifications and engineers' estimate) under a senior engineer'/geologist's supervision.ย 
  • Familiarity with Local, State, and Federal permitting processes applicable to environmental cleanup projects is preferred.ย 
  • Strong project management and technical environmental skillset preferred.ย 
  • Ability to consistently meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced work environment.ย 
  • Works well independently and collaboratively as part of project teams and GeoEngineers' environmental group.ย 
  • Strong verbal and written communication and technical writing skills.ย 
  • A valid driver's license is required.ย 
  • Commitment to safety, including working knowledge of State and Federal health and safety requirements. Completion of 40-hour Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) training preferred.ย 

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

  • All candidates are subject to completing a background check, and reference check.ย 
  • All candidates are required to participate in our medical surveillance program.ย 
  • Ability to perform a wide range of physical activities and do heavy work including exerting up to 50 pounds of force on occasion.ย 
  • Ability to perform consistent work on a PC with prolonged sitting and view of a monitor/screen.ย 
  • Ability to travel for short-term and long-term assignments as needed.ย 
  • All employees are responsible for conducting their work in a safe manner. This includes identifying potential safety hazards and reporting them to the designated project manager in a timely manner and participating in project safety briefings. This also includes wearing appropriate safety equipment when working in the field and completing all required health & safety training prior to beginning fieldwork.ย 

Our best estimate of the salary range for Project Environmental Engineer 1, located in San Diego, CA is $92,000 - $130,000 annually. Our best estimate of the salary range for Project Environmental Scientist 1, located in San Diego, CA is $80,000 - $113,000 annually. Compensation offered will be based on a variety of individual factors, including education and experience, as well as internal equity. GeoEngineers' salary ranges are reviewed and updated each year and employees are eligible for pay increases based on individual performance. As part of our competitive total rewards package, employees in this role may also be eligible for our annual year-end bonus offering, subject to program eligibility requirements.


At GeoEngineers, investing in our people is a top priority. In addition to competitive and equitable pay, we are proud to offer a wide range of benefits to support employees and their families, including healthcare (with travel benefit for care not locally available), 401(k) with company match, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, paid vacation and sick time and paid holidays, among others. View our full listing of benefits here.


Our Commitment to Belonging at GeoEngineers


When people feel they can bring their whole selves to work, that they have a voice and are supported and respected, it creates trust and a feeling of belonging- employees then flourish, grow their careers, and do the best work of their lives. A culture of belonging allows our employees to thrive and our company to prosper. This is a journey, and we are committed to doing the work, learning and evolving as we go.


GeoEngineers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.


GeoEngineers is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with physical and mental disabilities. If you need special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment, please contact Human Resources at hr@geoengineers.com or by phone at (425) 861-6000. We will then make a determination regarding your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.


We welcome and encourage individuals from all backgrounds and experiences to apply for openings on our team. We would love for you to join us!


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