Flood Control Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $175,219.20 - $224,286.40 Annually
Location : 5750 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, CA, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 02006-LT
Division: Watersheds Design and Construction
Unit: Design and Construction Unit 4
Opening Date: 08/04/2026
Closing Date: 8/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
Overview:
This Senior Engineer position will serve as the lead engineer for assigned critical flood protection projects (for example: Sunnyvale East and West Channels Flood Protection, Upper Guadalupe River Flood Protection, and Upper Penitencia Creek Flood Protection), providing overall project management through planning studies, coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as needed, design and preparation of construction documents, support during construction, and project closeout. The selected candidate will direct the in-house design team and consultants and work closely with the USACE and other project partners to develop and deliver the planning studies and construction documents required to advance projects to construction.
With the recent strategic prioritization of the Watershed Capital Program, this role will be instrumental in ensuring projects remain on track by coordinating design efforts, managing project risks, and maintaining alignment with project objectives. The Senior Engineer will oversee the successful execution of design deliverables, support construction-phase services, and guide projects through completion and closeout.
The position will provide leadership across a multidisciplinary team and serve as a key liaison among internal and external stakeholders, regulatory agencies, the USACE, and partner organizations to facilitate collaboration, resolve issues, and support the timely delivery of projects.
Our Commitment:We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.
About Valley Water:Valley Water's mission is to provide Santa Clara County with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. The FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget of $1.284 billion supports approximately 876 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.
Who We Are:
To learn how Valley Water provides safe, clean water and environmental stewardship for the Santa Clara community, please click here
Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leads the in-house project team responsible for planning, design, execution, and implementation of assigned projects. Directs and supervises daily project management activities, ensuring effective coordination, timely delivery, adherence to project objectives, and successful completion of project milestones.
• Coordinates and facilitates meetings with project teams and cross-functional Valley Water units and divisions to support project planning, execution, and stakeholder alignment.
• Manage cost-sharing, operations and maintenance, and other project-related agreements.
• Review and preparation of engineering reports, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and other technical documents.
• Oversees plan document compliance and ensures contractors perform work in accordance with contract requirements, specifications, and project standards.
• Construction support and contract administration by reviewing requests for information (RFIs), submittals, and potential change order items.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:
Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.
Ideal Experience:

• Six (6) years of professional engineering experience in flood protection, including at least two (2) years of lead responsibility.
• Professional experience in civil engineering; structural engineering is a plus.

Ideal Skills and Abilities:

• Planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects, especially of flood control/protection projects.
• General civil and/or structural engineering experience including but not limited to bridges, retaining walls, levees, slope stability structures, and other flood control structures.
• Strong familiarity with hydrology and open channel and/or closed conduit hydraulics.
• Preparing engineering studies, reports, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and design calculations.
• Post design construction support services including construction field observation, construction administration and construction management.
• Project management and multi-objective projects.
• Public correspondence/communication and technical writing.
• Deliver complex, technical, and sensitive engineering projects and programs in an independent and cooperative manner.
• Read, prepare, review, and interpret engineering plans, drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
• Apply structural engineering principles and computer programs to resolve engineering problems.
• Conduct various engineering studies to recommend engineering solutions.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.

Ideal Knowledge:

• Civil design background with strong knowledge of industry standards and procedures.
• Strong understanding of hydraulics, fluvial channel design, hydrology, Civil CADD, Civil 3D, geotechnical, and surveying aspects related to flood control/protection infrastructure projects.
• Structural engineering principles, codes, standards, practices, and methods as applied to the design, construction, installation, operation, and maintenance of structural systems, elements, components, and facilities.
• Principles and practices of project management, including planning, organizing, executing, scheduling, monitoring, and controlling.

Ideal Training and Education:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in civil engineering or a related field.
Possess and maintain a valid license as a Professional Engineer issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
LIMITED TERM POSITION:
The assignment period will be up to 2 years and such time period may be adjusted as needed by Valley Water management.

• If the limited-term appointee is internally hired, the appointee will be subject to Valley Water's Limited Term policy, reassignment process, and/or appropriate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) provisions.
• An internally hired limited-term appointee will be covered by the applicable MOU and eligible for all pay and benefits described in the MOU.
• An externally hired limited-term appointee will be considered "at-will" and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

An externally hired limited-term appointee will be covered by the applicable MOU and eligible for all pay and benefits described in the MOU with the exception of the following articles/sections:

1. Article 3, Section 10:Temporary Assignment - Temporary Upgrade Pay
2. Article 3, Section 11: Temporary Assignment - Special Assignment Pay
3. Article 6, Section 4(D): Deferred Compensation (Limited-term appointees may participate in Valley Water's 457 deferred compensation program however they will be ineligible for Valley Water matching funds and participation in Valley Water's 401(a) plan)
4. Article 8: Leaves of Absence (Valley Water will provide a leave of absence as required by law under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL))
5. Article 11: Workforce Development
6. Article 12: Special Programs
7. Article 13: Employee Performance/Evaluation
8. Article 14: Classification
9. Article 15: Discipline Process
10. Article 17: Layoff

Required License or Certificate
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Individuals who do not meet the driver's license requirement due to a disability will be considered for a reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case basis.
Possession of a valid license as a Professional Engineer issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists.
To review the Job Description, please click
Design & Construction Unit #4 (Position Code LT024)Valley Water Telework Program: Eligibility for telework will depend on the type of work performed, operational needs, and the ability for the employee to perform the essential functions of their job duties while teleworking. Employment with Valley Water requires employees to live within 150 miles of their primary physical work location located in San Jose, California by their start date.
This position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, typically working 40% remote and 60% onsite.
Selection Process
(1) The selection process may include one or more of the following: application review, application assessment, performance exercise, written exercise and/or interview.
(2) The Employment Application, Qualifying Information Questions and/or Supplemental Questions will be evaluated based on the ideal candidate criteria listed above. Resumes are highly recommended.
NOTE: Position and start date is subject to availability of funds. Valley Water retains the right to repost this position as deemed necessary.
Consideration may be given to existing applicant pools within the same classification.
Valley Water's Equal Opportunity Non-Discrimination Policy is available for review upon request.
Valley Water will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources in advance of any special needs by calling 408-630-2260.
Please be aware that once submitted all application materials become the property of Valley Water and will not be returned. Human Resources staff are not authorized to make copies of application materials for applicants.
The Santa Clara Valley Water District, now known as Valley Water, offers a comprehensive benefit package including, vacation, holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, EAP, life and disability insurance. In addition, Valley Water participates in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). To view a summary of benefits, click
01
I acknowledge that I have entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position.

• Yes
• No

02
Please answer the supplemental questions thoroughly, clearly, and concisely as the responses provided (along with the application) will be carefully reviewed to determine which candidates will move forward in the recruitment process. Responses that refer to attachments (e.g., "see resume") will not be considered. Each question must be answered in full to ensure a fair and complete evaluation. I have read this information and am aware of the importance of responses to the supplemental questions.

• Yes
• No

03
Please list the highest degree of education achieved.
04
Please indicate the years of professional engineering experience.

• 0 - 6 years
• 6 plus years

05
Please indicate the years of professional engineering in flood protection.

• 0 - 6 years
• 6 plus years

06
Do you have a valid license as a Professional Engineer issued by the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists?

• Yes
• No

07
Please indicate your years of experience leading staff.

• 0 - 2 years
• 2 plus years

08
Please describe your education, training, and work experience as it relates to this position.
09
Please describe your experience managing flood protection, water resources, environmental stewardship, or other civil engineering or structural engineering projects or programs. Include your role, budget, the project phase(s) you supported and your responsibilities on the project.
10
Provide an example of a project where you were the lead on a multidisciplinary team that required coordination with external stakeholders. What were the goals of the project and what were the concerns and needs of the external stakeholders? How did you manage the work within the team to meet the needs of the external stakeholders to ensure project success and what was the outcome?
11
Please describe your specific role in preparing design documents for flood protection or any other civil engineering projects. Describe the most significant challenges in delivering large complex flood protection projects or other civil engineering projects.
12
Employment with Valley Water requires employees to take an Oath as a Disaster Service Worker within California and to live within 150 miles