Engineering Geologist

Job Description and Duties

The Project Geology Section (Project Geology) is the best place to practice engineering geology while serving the State of California. Project Geology provides engineering geologic services for design, construction, repair, operations, and maintenance of the State Water Project (SWP), which intersects the diverse geology of California. Our challenging projects include work at SWP dams, canals, pipelines, reservoirs, power plants, pumping plants, bridges, aqueducts, tunnels, and levees. Services provided by our engineering geologists ensure public safety and longevity of the critical SWP infrastructure.

Project Geology has a variety of work assignments, including foundation investigations, geologic mapping, fault trenching, and geologic hazards assessments (subsidence, landslides, and faulting and seismicity studies). Project Geology makes decisions affecting the safety, durability, and performance of SWP facilities based on sound engineering geology practice.

At the Department of Water Resources (DWR) you will have the advantage of numerous resources to support your career and professional growth, including training, organizational memberships, and experienced and professional colleagues who collaborate for project success. Please consider this opportunity to join the SWP team, to help deliver water to over twenty-seven million Californians, and to contribute to species conservation and protecting our environment.

The successful candidate will engage in engineering geology, design, and construction projects related to SWP facilities. Specific projects may include: collecting, compiling, and analyzing geologic data; geologic mapping; rock or soil sampling; drilling and exploration trenching; preparing geologic maps and cross sections; assisting with faulting and seismicity studies, geophysical surveys, performing deterministic or probabilistic seismic hazard assessments; presenting information at dam safety hazard and risk workshops as a subject matter expert (geology or seismicity); responding to urgent or emergency situations; directing contractors in the field; inspecting construction sites; performing research; organizing diverse and complex data; and writing clear and concise reports. Overnight travel throughout California is common.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

The candidate must have a valid California driver's license to conduct State business away from the home office. This position requires driving on public roadways, including occasional travel in remote areas using a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Business travel may be required on short notice, which may include overnight lodging.

Incumbents must be able to make field inspections and site visits in areas of difficult access such as tunnels, trenches, confined spaces, and on steep slopes. Field inspections and site visits may require hiking and/or climbing over rugged terrain.

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:

Project Geology seeks motivated applicants with a strong background in general engineering geology, recent experience working on fault investigations, seismic hazard assessments, and project management.

Other desirable qualifications include proficiency in:

• writing and reviewing technical reports
• geology-related construction inspection and mapping
• dam and spillway construction
• Faulting and Seismicity experience
• Geologic Hazard Assessment
• levee/aqueduct leak response
• PSHA/DSHA Skills
• data management, GIS, and CAD
• Project management experience
• Technical writing experience
• clear and effective communication (verbal, written, and/or visual).

The ideal candidate seeks professional development, is diligent and productive, meets deadlines, pays attention to detail, has collaborative, solution-oriented critical thinking skills, and is comfortable managing multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.

Possession of a California professional geology (PG) license is desirable but not required.

Benefits

to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees. We’re also located right next to Light Rail for an easy commute – we’ll even reimburse you for a portion of your monthly public transit pass!

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

Special Instructions

Interested applicants must submit a: (1) State Employment Application (STD 678), (2) Cover letter, and (3) Resume. Please reference SAP Position Number 50002730 and Job Control Number 521760 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of the STD 678 and in your cover letter.

The cover letter should be a separate typed document (3 pages maximum) that includes a description of the applicant’s professional experience specific to: engineering geology (general projects), faulting and seismicity studies, seismic hazard evaluations, technical/scientific writing, and project management. Candidates should also include examples of any relevant computer programs/application software/tools they have used during their tenure as a professional engineering geologist.

The resume should highlight the candidate’s relevant experience and should not exceed two typed pages.

Applicants for this position are not required to be on a hiring eligibility list at the time of application . DWR will determine list eligibility prior to hiring. List eligibility will eventually be required, however, prior to hiring.

Failure to provide requested documents and information may result in automatic disqualification from the hiring process. Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application (STD 678). The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.

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

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

. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.

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 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