PRINCIPAL ENGINEER WATER RESOURCES

DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES; California; Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California's Department of Water Resources, Financial Assistance Branch, seeks a Principal Engineer Water Resources to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for grant program guidelines and delivery of funded projects across the state.

You will set priorities, develop staff, coordinate with DWR and partner agencies, and represent the branch in meetings with Tribes, communities, and stakeholders while ensuring policy compliance and fiscal accountability.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams, including coaching staff, setting priorities and managing performance.
• Experience administering grants or financial‑assistance programs, with knowledge of water-resource issues.
• Excellent communication and judgment, with an inclusive approach to working with executives, Tribes and partners.
• Skill in managing budgets and using program data to track outcomes and inform policy decisions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee development of grant program guidelines and delivery of grant funded projects.
• Manage Branch budget and staffing needs and advise leadership on policies and legislation.
• Lead meetings and workshops and build productive relationships with Tribes, funding recipients, regional partners, community organizations and the public.

Skills

Leadership of multidisciplinary teams

Grant administration

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Job Posting: Principal Engineer, Water Resources

Department of Water Resources

JC-534736 - Principal Engineer, Water Resources

$15,263.00 - $17,336.00 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: 11/24/2026

Are you ready to lead a multidisciplinary team providing funding opportunities for communities across California’s water sector?

The California Department of Water Resources, Financial Assistance Branch (FAB) is seeking a new leader to guide its team. Under the general direction of the Division of Regional Assistance Manager, you will guide professional, technical, and administrative staff who deliver financial and technical assistance programs and support regional water management. You will set priorities, develop staff and managers, coordinate across DWR and partner agencies, and provide direction on complex program and funding decisions.

In this role, you will oversee the development of grant program guidelines and delivery of grant funded projects, manage Branch budget and staffing needs, and advise leadership on policies and legislation. As a visible representative of the Branch, you will lead meetings and workshops and build productive relationships with Tribes, funding recipients, regional partners, community organizations and the public.

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

Minimum Requirements

• PRINCIPAL ENGINEER WATER RESOURCES

# of Positions

1

Work Location

Hybrid

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Division of Regional Assistance, Financial Assistance 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.

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 Department of Water Resources is committed to its mission and employees, and we are grounded in our commitment to public safety. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to the successful performance in this position.

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.

• Must be able to travel anywhere in California at least once per month and as needed.

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other - Cover Letter
• Statement of Qualifications - See Special Instructions for additional details.

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:

• Strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams, including coaching staff, setting priorities, and managing performance.
• Experience administering grants or financial‑assistance programs, with knowledge of California water‑resources issues and regional planning.
• Excellent communication and judgment, with an inclusive approach to working with executives, Tribes, communities, agencies, and other partners.
• Skill in managing budgets and using program data to track outcomes, meet accountability requirements, and inform policy decisions.

Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

Our brand new, state‑of‑the‑art Natural Resources Headquarters Building is located right next to light rail in downtown Sacramento for an easy commute – we’ll even reimburse you for a portion of your monthly public transit pass!

The modern facility has a secure bike locker storage area, shower rooms, and a fitness center. We offer continuous professional development and a wide range of training opportunities.

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.

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
[phone]
[e-mail]

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), Cover Letter, and Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please reference SAP Position # 50001373 and Job Control # 534736 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

The SOQ is a 2-page (12 point Arial or Calibri font) Statement of Qualifications addressing how your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences have prepared you to perform the following;

• Branch leadership and supervision.
• Financial assistance and grant program administration.
• Regional water resources planning and coordination.
• Program data, performance measurement, and reporting.
• Budget, fiscal accountability, and legislation.
• Experience presenting to executives and acting on behalf of a Division manager.

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.

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.

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:

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.