ENGINEER, WATER RESOURCES
State of California
Sacramento County, CA, USA
USD 6,488-12,152 / month
Job Posting: Structural Design Engineer
Department of Water Resources
ENGINEER, WATER RESOURCES
$6,488.00 - $12,152.00 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: 5/27/2026
Job Description and Duties
The single greatest advantage of working for DWR is that you can practice structural engineering in its purest form. Because California’s Department of Water Resources is the owner and operator of its facilities, our engineers are empowered to make the right choices in design, detailing, and materials to ensure public safety and longevity of the infrastructure. Our engineers are at the forefront on design and construction projects, and they make design decisions based on good engineering practice for safety, durability, and performance.
At DWR you will have the advantage of numerous resources to support your work and your professional growth, including training, organizational memberships, and knowledgeable colleagues, most of which are under one roof and all of which collaborate for project success.
We hope you’ll check out the Duties and Desirable Qualifications below and apply for this great career opportunity to join our team.
Duties: This position is open to engineers with varying levels of experience. The actual duties will be commensurate with skill level. Under the direction of a Senior Engineer, the incumbent performs structural analysis and design, prepares plans and generates specifications for a variety of projects including buildings, bridges, spillways, hydraulic structures, radial gates, intakes and miscellaneous water-related facilities, as well as prepares designs for modifications to existing facilities. Additional duties include performing engineering studies and analyses of existing and proposed facilities, site inspections, and engineering support for projects under construction.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.Additional Documents
Position Details
Department Information
Division of Engineering, Structural Engineering Branch/Structures I, 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.
Department Website: https://water.ca.gov/
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.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 5/27/2026Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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 required and must be included.
- Other - Cover Letter
Desirable Qualifications
Candidates will be evaluated based on their relative ability as demonstrated by the quality and extent of their experience. Therefore, our ideal candidate’s application and resume will clearly and concisely address as many of the following desirable qualifications as possible: candidate has knowledge and experience in the structural engineering field and especially in the duties mentioned above; has the ability to take direction; is engaged; works as a contributing team member; is a highly-motivated self-starter and works autonomously; can direct the work of others, such as drafters, students, and consultants; can communicate and write well; is detail and quality oriented; can manage multiple tasks and projects at the same time; is organized; has a track record of meeting deadlines and budget constraints; is dependable; has computer skills in spreadsheets, computer-aided drafting (CAD), engineering analysis programs, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office suite; has experience with CA and Federal design codes, manuals, and regulations; has experience or knowledge regarding the design of concrete, steel, masonry, or timber structures; is familiar with the design of structural design in high-seismic zones; has experience or knowledge regarding soil mechanics and soil/structure interaction; has knowledge or experience with public works construction contracts; and has knowledge or experience writing and reviewing technical specifications. A Professional Engineer’s license for the State of CA is preferred but not required.
Benefits
Click here 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 Human Resources Manual - CalHR
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Sofia Khan
(916) 764-9689
sofia.khan@water.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.
EEO Contact:Office of Civil Rights
(916) 653-6952
civilrights@water.ca.gov
Special Instructions
To apply for this position, you need to submit a State Employment Application (STD 678), a resume, and a cover letter briefly introducing yourself and explaining why your job experience and skills are applicable to this position. Please reference SAP Position Number 50002893 and Job Control Number JC-516150 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” SECTION of your STD 678 application.
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.
Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Failure to provide requested documents and information may result in automatic disqualification from the hiring process.
You are not required to be on an eligibility list at the time you apply for this position. Simply submit your application today using the provided instructions. List eligibility will eventually be required, however, prior to hiring.
Click here to complete DWR’s Recruitment Survey. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.
Examination/Assessment
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:
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.
