ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

State of California; California; Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Redding Office seeks an Engineering Geologist to support the Forest Activities Program. The role involves evaluating, inspecting, monitoring, and regulating timberland management activities on non-federal lands, with fieldwork and stakeholder collaboration to protect water quality.

Candidates will work in hybrid telework arrangements, reside in California, and contribute to the Board's strategic goals.

Qualifications

• Desirable qualifications include technical skills related to forest land management and watershed management for ecosystem benefits.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with stakeholders.
• Ability to manage complex projects with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience preparing technical reports.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and GIS applications.
• Experience using GIS for landscape and project assessments.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate timberland management activities on non-federal lands.
• Inspect and monitor forest activity sites.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to protect water quality and environmental resources.
• Prepare technical reports and document findings.

Skills

Forest land management

Stakeholder collaboration

Project management

Report writing

GIS experience

MS Office

Database systems

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Education

Engineering Geologist degree

Tools

GIS software

MS Office

Database management systems

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

$6,488.00 - $12,215.00 per Month

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/5/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

Are you interested in a meaningful career supporting California’s most pressing water quality issues and natural resources challenges? The California Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Redding Office is seeking a motivated and skilled Engineering Geologist to support the Forest Activities Program. The Engineering Geologist will play a key role in supporting the goals of the State and Regional Board’s Strategic Plan by evaluating, inspecting, monitoring, and regulating timberland management activities on non-federal lands. If you enjoy fieldwork and collaborating with stakeholders to protect the environment, join our dedicated team!

The position is located at 364 Knollcrest Dr. Ste 205, Redding, CA 96002.

Duties and Working Conditions: see attached Duty Statement.

Additional information

Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.

If the position requires driving, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Please Do Not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: Recruitment Survey .

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

Working Conditions

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position .

In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment. Proof of residency may be required.

Salary Information - CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. Employees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved Civil Service Pay Scales.

In addition, note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable bargaining contract. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

Minimum Requirements

• ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

# of Positions: 1

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Facility: State Water Resources Control Board

Department Information

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the nine (9) Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) (collectively the Water Boards) work to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Water Boards value diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations. Join the Water Boards to improve the lives of all Californians.

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:

• RPA# 26-157-010 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
• Photocopies of degree and official transcripts (if needed to establish eligibility).

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States that does meet accreditation standards must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due during final minimum qualification evaluation of candidate(s). A link of accepted evaluation agencies can be found here: https://www.naces.org/members .

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:

• Technical skills related to the evaluation of land management activities, including those specific to forest land management and watershed management for ecosystem benefits.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a record of establishing good working relationships with peers and stakeholders.
• Ability to manage complex projects that include working both independently and with a variety of stakeholders to keep within project and regulatory deadlines.
• Experience preparing technical reports.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary/multi-agency professional team(s).]]>
• Knowledge of/experience with environmental regulations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and database management systems.
• Experience using GIS applications for landscape and project assessments.

Candidates who do not meet every desirable qualification are still encouraged to apply.

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://www.waterboards.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.

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.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than two pages in length, using Arial 12-point font, and normal margins.

Indicate your total years of experience, provide examples, and consider the Duty Statement and Desirable Qualifications above when answering the following statements:

• Summarize your interest in this specific position, and the knowledge, abilities, and experiences that make you uniquely qualified based on the job duties described in the duty statement and the desirable qualifications listed above.
• Describe your experience with and knowledge of timberland management activities, California’s Forest Practice Act and Rules, and related water quality issues and impacts.
• Describe your ability to manage complex projects and relationships with multi-disciplinary teams and interested stakeholders.
• Describe your knowledge and experience related to conducting field work in rugged/uneven terrain/post-fire environments.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated in the instructions will not be considered.

For guidance on writing effective SOQs, visit: Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications . Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethical. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

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.