PRINCIPAL ENGINEER WATER RESOURCES
Full-time
Sacramento County, CA, USA
USD 15,263-17,336 / month
Job Posting: Principal Engineer, Water Resources
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: 11/24/2026
Job Description and Duties
Are you ready to lead a multidisciplinary team providing funding opportunities for communities across California’s water sector?
The California Department of Water Resources, Financial Assistance Branch (FAB) is seeking a new leader to guide its team. Under the general direction of the Division of Regional Assistance Manager, you will guide professional, technical, and administrative staff who deliver financial and technical assistance programs and support regional water management. You will set priorities, develop staff and managers, coordinate across DWR and partner agencies, and provide direction on complex program and funding decisions.
In this role, you will oversee the development of grant program guidelines and delivery of grant funded projects, manage Branch budget and staffing needs, and advise leadership on policies and legislation. As a visible representative of the Branch, you will lead meetings and workshops and build productive relationships with Tribes, funding recipients, regional partners, community organizations and the public.
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, Financial Assistance Branch, 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.
Special Requirements
The Department of Water Resources is committed to its mission and employees, and we are grounded in our commitment to public safety. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to the successful performance in this position.
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.
Must be able to travel anywhere in California at least once per month and as needed.
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: 11/24/2026Who 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
- Statement of Qualifications - See Special Instructions for additional details.
Desirable Qualifications
The ideal candidate demonstrates:
- Strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams, including coaching staff, setting priorities, and managing performance.
- Experience administering grants or financial-assistance programs, with knowledge of California water-resources issues and regional planning.
- Excellent communication and judgment, with an inclusive approach to working with executives, Tribes, communities, agencies, and other partners.
- Skill in managing budgets and using program data to track outcomes, meet accountability requirements, and inform policy decisions.
Benefits
Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.
Our brand new, state-of-the-art Natural Resources Headquarters Building is located right next to light rail in downtown Sacramento for an easy commute – we’ll even reimburse you for a portion of your monthly public transit pass!
The modern facility has a secure bike locker storage area, shower rooms, and a fitness center. We offer continuous professional development and a wide range of training opportunities.
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.
Katelyn Carty
(279) 231-0767
Katelyn.carty@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 a completed State application (STD. 678), Cover Letter, and Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please reference SAP Position # 50001373 and Job Control # 534736 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.
The SOQ is a 2-page (12 point Arial or Calibri font) Statement of Qualifications addressing how your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences have prepared you to perform the following;
- Branch leadership and supervision.
- Financial assistance and grant program administration.
- Regional water resources planning and coordination.
- Program data, performance measurement, and reporting.
- Budget, fiscal accountability, and legislation.
- Experience presenting to executives and acting on behalf of a Division manager.
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.
