PRINCIPAL WATER RESOURCE CONTROL ENGINEER

State of California; United States; Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

The State Water Resources Control Board is seeking a Principal Water Resource Control Engineer in the Northern California Branch of the Division of Drinking Water.

The role supervises multiple sections and district offices, directing regulatory and permitting activities for drinking water programs, with a focus on Northern California operations. The position offers hybrid telework and complex leadership responsibilities for public water systems.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and experience with drinking water regulations and practices.
• Experience with committees to develop drinking water regulations and/or guidance documents.
• Leadership and team-building experience as a supervisor of technical staff.

Responsibilities

• Supervises two sections, nine District Offices, and the Field Operations Support Unit in the Northern California Field Operations Branch.
• Leads staff implementing regulatory and permitting aspects of the Drinking Water program.
• Reviews the Duty Statement and coordinates with District Offices.

Job description

Job Description and Duties

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

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water has an opening for a Principal Water Resource Control Engineer (Principal WRCE) in the Northern California Branch of the Division of Drinking Water Field Operations Branch.

The position may be located at one of the following Division of Drinking Water Offices:

• Redding – 364 Knollcrest Drive, Suite 101, Redding, CA 96002
• Sacramento – 1001 I Street, 24th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814 or 11020 Sun Center Drive, Suite 200, Rancho Cordova, Sacramento CA 95670
• Santa Rosa – 50 D Street, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
• Richmond – 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Building P, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804

This position is entitled to a $250.00 pay differential per month based on Bargaining Unit and/or work location if reporting to the Richmond office.

Duties: The Principal WRCE supervises, organizes, and directs the work of two sections, nine District Offices, and the Field Operations Support Unit in Northern California Field Operations Branch in the Division of Drinking Water. The Principal WRCE plans, organizes, and directs the work of staff who implement the regulatory and permitting aspects of the Drinking Water program as the lead manager of the Northern California Field Operations Branch. The applicants are encouraged to review the Duty Statement attached. A map of the District Offices is located at the following hyperlink: Division of Drinking Water District Office contacts (ca.gov)

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

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• PRINCIPAL WATER RESOURCE CONTROL ENGINEER

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-530846

Position #(s): 880-402-3851-001

Working Title: Assistant Deputy Director, Northern California Branch Chief

Classification: PRINCIPAL WATER RESOURCE CONTROL ENGINEER $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: United States

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

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.

Special Requirements

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

• RPA# 26-402-040 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).

Must have Principal Water Resources Control Engineer list, transfer, or reinstatement eligibility and be reachable on the certification list. Here is the link to the exam: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=2164.

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.

Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through jobs.ca.gov is preferred. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD. 678), including work experience, dates, hours worked, contact names and phone numbers of supervisors on the state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD. 678 may be disqualified.

In the hiring interview, the panel will consider education, experience, personal development, personal traits and fitness for the job. In appraising experience, more weight may be given to the breadth of pertinent experience and evidence of the candidate's ability to accept and fulfill increasing responsibilities than to the length of his/her experience. For additional information, you may refer to the class specification.

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:

• Knowledge and experience with drinking water regulations and practices in the design, plan review, inspection, permitting, compliance and report preparation related to drinking water treatment and distribution systems.
• Experience with committees to develop drinking water regulations and/or guidance documents.
• Leadership and team building experience as a supervisor of technical staff or in a leadership capacity on a project team.

Benefits

Water Board employees may be eligible for benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees, and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx and Health Benefits | CalPERS

Contact Information

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/

Human Resources Contact: Aja Marsh [phone] [e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact: Robert Brownwood [phone] [e-mail]

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: Shyla Hoffman [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.

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 (2) pages in length, using 12-point Arial font, and normal margins.

Indicate your total years of experience when answering the following statements:

1. Describe your background and work experience with respect to drinking water regulations, treatment practices and processes, and drinking water distribution infrastructure including evaluation and inspections of drinking water systems.
2. Describe your work experience with respect to regulatory program work (i.e. enforcement, permitting, etc.) and interpreting regulations and laws.
3. Describe your approach to management and leadership, either as a supervisor or in a leadership capacity on a project team.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated 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 ethically. 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.