PRINCIPAL ENGINEER WATER RESOURCES
Full-time
Fresno County, CA, USA
USD 15,263-17,336 / month
Job Posting: Region Office Manager
Department of Water Resources
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
Job Description and Duties
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.Additional Documents
Position Details
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.
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.
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 1st.
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.
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: 9/30/2026Who 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 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)
Desirable Qualifications
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.
Benefits
Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees. This is a hybrid position with up to 4 days per week in-office.
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.
Michelle Rivera
(279) 231-0769
Michelle.Rivera@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 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.
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.
