Engineering Geologist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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 .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-521760
Position #(s):
843-489-3756-030
Working Title:
Engineering Geologist
Classification:
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST $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:
Yolo County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information Division of Engineering, Design, Geotechnical Services Branch, Geotechnical Engineering, West Sacramento
Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California's water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.
At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department. Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state's people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.
DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect. An important component of DWR's equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Department Website: https://water.ca.gov/
Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWR's Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.
Special Requirements The candidate must have a valid California driver's license to conduct State business away from the home office. This position requires driving on public roadways, including occasional travel in remote areas using a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Business travel may be required on short notice, which may include overnight lodging.
Incumbents must be able to make field inspections and site visits in areas of difficult access such as tunnels, trenches, confined spaces, and on steep slopes. Field inspections and site visits may require hiking and/or climbing over rugged terrain.
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: 7/21/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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
Mailing Address
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
Submit in Person
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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

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.
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:
Project Geology seeks motivated applicants with a strong background in general engineering geology, recent experience working on fault investigations, seismic hazard assessments, and project management.
Other desirable qualifications include experience in:

• writing and reviewing technical reports
• geology-related construction inspection and mapping
• dam and spillway construction
• faulting and seismicity
• geologic hazard assessment
• levee/aqueduct leak response
• PSHA/DSHA
• data management, GIS, and CAD
• project management
• technical writing
• clear and effective communication (verbal, written, and/or visual).

The ideal candidate seeks professional development, is diligent and productive, meets deadlines, pays attention to detail, has collaborative, solution-oriented critical thinking skills, and is comfortable managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
Possession of a California professional geology (PG) license is desirable but not required.
Benefits
Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees. The Project Geology office is in West Sacramento, close to I-80 and Highway 50, and provides free parking.
Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Sofia Khan
(916) 764-9689
sofia.khan@water.ca.gov
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 Civil Rights
(916) 653-6952
civilrights@water.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Special Instructions
Interested applicants must submit a: (1) State Employment Application (STD 678), (2) Cover letter, and (3) Resume. Please reference SAP Position Number 50002730 and Job Control Number 521760 in the "examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying" section of the STD 678 and in your cover letter.
The cover letter should be a separate typed document (3 pages maximum) that includes a description of the applicant's professional experience specific to: engineering geology (general projects), faulting and seismicity studies, seismic hazard evaluations, technical/scientific writing, and project management. Candidates should also include examples of any relevant computer programs/application software/tools they have used during their tenure as a professional engineering geologist.
The resume should highlight the candidate's relevant experience and should not exceed two typed pages.
Applicants for this position are not required to be on a hiring eligibility list at the time of application . DWR will determine list eligibility prior to hiring. List eligibility will eventually be required, however, prior to hiring.
Failure to provide requested documents and information may result in automatic disqualification from the hiring process. Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application (STD 678). The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.
The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, SROA/Surplus, and training and development assignment.
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Click here to complete DWR's Recruitment Survey . This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.
Examination/Assessment
For more information about the State hiring process, click here . To learn more about how to get a State job, click here .
List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.
Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link:
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.