PRINCIPAL ENGINEER WATER RESOURCES

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 15,000 - 17,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California's Department of Water Resources seeks a Region Office Manager for the South Central Region, Fresno. Lead a diverse team of engineers, geologists, scientists, technicians, and administrative professionals in delivering integrated regional water management and climate resilience support across California’s Central Coast to Sierra Nevada.

The role emphasizes promoting the department's vision, coordinating with federal, tribal, state, and local partners, and guiding programs

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements are for PRINCIPAL ENGINEER WATER RESOURCES.

Job description

Region Office Manager
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: 9/30/2026

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

Are you ready to lead a fantastic team of engineers, geologists, scientists, technicians, and administrative professionals providing support for integrated regional water management and climate resilience efforts, assisting with sustainable groundwater management, evaluating water supplies, responding to drought, promoting water conservation, collecting and disseminating all kinds of water and land use data, and conducting environmental studies and projects; all to help communities from California’s central coast across the San Joaquin Valley up to the crest of Sierra Nevada? If so, apply today!

We’re seeking a manager to guide our South Central Region Office team; a leader who is accomplished at promoting the Department’s vision and plans and advocating for program needs; a collaborator who is effective at working with a multitude of federal, tribal, State, and local partners and interests on politically charged or controversial issues; a mentor who can calm nerves, inspire confidence, and motivate both staff and management across the Department, among our government partners, and with the many communities in the Region.

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

# of Positions

1

Work Location

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Division of Regional Assistance, South Central Region Office, Fresno

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

Must possess a valid California Driver’s License. Must be able to travel throughout the Region, to field locations, to headquarters in Sacramento, and to other venues as necessary to represent the Region, Division, or Department with little or no advanced warning.

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 1 st.

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.

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
• Other - Essay (2-pg max typed in Arial or Calibri 12-pt font)

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:

The ideal candidate is knowledgeable of leadership principles, program administration, and California water history and laws or codes affecting Department of Water Resource’s programs; is familiar with the water agencies and interests of the San Joaquin Valley, foothills and Central Coast communities; is practiced at managing staff and showing empathy and consideration for others; is a strategic thinker and adept at learning new things, adapting to changing conditions, and balancing competing priorities; is highly organized, industrious, and accountable; and has excellent verbal and written communication skills and is comfortable speaking to large groups and the media.

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

This is a hybrid position with up to 4 days per week in-office.

Contact Information

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: 1) Standard State Application (std 689); 2) Cover letter; and 3) An essay addressing the following: How your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences align with the desirable qualifications for the South Central Region Office Manager position. Please reference SAP Position #50003213 and Job Control # JC-530682 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

The Essay is an important part of your application. It is a separate typed document, two-page maximum, in Arial or Calibri 12-point font, that succinctly and clearly describes your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and how they align with the qualifications listed under the Desirable Qualifications for the position.

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.

List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.

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.