Water Operations Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

State Water Project Aerial Tour 2021 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7A1jHyfqp8E
Join a team of highly motivated professionals that are doing exciting work! We hope you'll check out the Duties and Desirable Qualifications below and apply for this great career opportunity to join our State Water Project team and help deliver water to over 27 million Californians as well as contribute to protecting our environment and species conservation efforts.
Why Choose Us:
We own and operate our own facilities, which is the largest water and power delivery system in the United States. And as owners and operators of our own infrastructure, we are empowered to make the right choices in design, detailing, and materials to ensure public safety and facility reliability. We are not driven by the cost-cutting measures or unrealistic expectations that you may find in the private sector. Instead, direct the operations and maintenance of the State Water Project to safely deliver and optimize the uses of available water with environmental sensitivity.
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.
Duties: As the State Water Project (SWP) Water Operations Branch Manager, you will provide strategic leadership for planning, scheduling, and overseeing SWP water operations. The position is responsible for directing water operations scheduling while working closely with executive leadership, senior management, federal and state agencies, and public water agencies. The Branch Manager leads efforts to address complex water operations and regulatory challenges, manages personnel and resources, develops operational strategies, and represents DWR in high-level technical and policy discussions that support water supply reliability and the safe, effective, and compliant operations of the State Water Project. Strong judgment, clear communication, and the ability to work cooperatively and reliably are essential, along with occasional travel and acting as Assistant Division Manager, as needed.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• PRINCIPAL ENGINEER WATER RESOURCES

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-523401
Position #(s):
842-063-3255-690
Working Title:
Water Operations Principal Engineer
Classification:
PRINCIPAL ENGINEER WATER RESOURCES $15,263.00 - $17,336.00
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 County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
Division of Operations and Maintenance, Assistant Division Manger Water Management, Water Operations Branch, 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
Travel throughout the State will be required. Must be willing to work sometimes outside of normal business hours, travel, and stay overnight in various locations throughout the State of California.
Employee is required to successfully complete all safety training related to the functions of the job.
All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.
The Department of Water Resources is committed to its mission and employees, and we are grounded in our commitment to public safety. Regular, consistent, and predictable attendance is essential to the successful performance in this position.
This position is covered in the Political Reform Act and requires financial disclosure within 30 days of the first and last day physically worked in a covered position and annually by April 1st.
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: 7/20/2026
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
• Statement of Qualifications - See Special Instructions for additional details.

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:
It is desirable for the incumbent to have knowledge of and/or experience with the State Water Project; the State and Federal requirements that govern its operations; coordination with State and Federal agencies; Oroville and Delta water operations; preparing and delivering presentations; personnel and budget management; and briefing senior management and executive leadership.
Benefits
Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.
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
We are in the Arden-Arcade area and have plenty of free parking.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Paige Howard
(916) 574-6078
paige.howard@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
To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), resume, Statement of Qualifications, and cover letter. Please reference WR Position # 50001802 and Job Control # 523401 in the "examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying" section of your application.
Cover Letter
The Cover Letter should include a statement as to why you are interested in this position and highlight skills that are most applicable to the Duty Statement.
Statement of Qualification
This is a (1-page maximum) separate typed document entitled Statement of Qualifications in Arial 12-point font that addresses the candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience as it relates to the job description.
The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.
Note: Applicants who do not follow these instructions may be disqualified from the selection process. Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.
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:
PRINCIPAL ENGINEER WATER RESOURCES
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.