Job Posting: Engineering Geologist

Department of Transportation

JC-512344
-
Engineering Geologist
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

$6,488.00 - $12,215.00 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: 4/3/2026

Job Description and Duties

The Division of Engineering Services (DES), Geotechnical Services (GS) is looking to hire an Engineering Geologist (EG) in the Office of Geotechnical Design South (OGDS).

Under the direction of a Senior Transportation Engineer, the Engineering Geologist provides technical expertise, support, and recommendations on engineering geologic topics as may evolve, commencing with the project planning phase and progressing through the design, construction, and operation phases of the State Transportation System. This position requires travel to the Districts and field sites for periods of several days to months.

PARF# 59-26-0098 / JC-512344


Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Engineering Geologist exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions.  To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job. 

https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G

https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI

Apply today to join our team!  We especially encourage applicants to check out our Caltrans Career Compass tool!  The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Position located at 1750 E 4th St Santa Ana, Orange County

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.

While at their base of operation, incumbent will work in a climate-controlled office under artificial lighting. As a statewide organization, DES adjusts to periods of fluctuating workload to successfully deliver projects. Incumbent will be required to travel and perform fieldwork and will be exposed to dirt, uneven surfaces, extreme temperatures, noise, vibration, and odor associated with fieldwork. The incumbent will be required to work around bulky/heavy materials and equipment, and in proximity to vehicles traveling on active roadways. DES employees may be given temporary assignments on DES projects throughout the State as workload demands.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-512344
Position #(s):
559-324-3756-020
Working Title:
Engineering Geologist
Classification:
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST
$6,488.00 - $12,215.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Orange County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov 

Director’s EEO Policy: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Special Requirements

    • Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.

    • Statement of Qualification (SOQ) is required.

    The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each applicant’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below; failure to include and complete the SOQ as instructed may result in the SOQ not being considered and in disqualification from the interview. Each question must be numbered and addressed in the same order as the questions below. The SOQ must be typed, no more than two pages in length, and 12-point Arial font.

    The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ must include education, training, and experience that qualify the candidate for this position

    1. Describe your knowledge and ability in geologic site characterization.

    2. Describe your knowledge and ability in subsurface site investigations.

    3. Describe your experience and ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing (e.g. writing technical report, verbal presentation of technical information).

    4. Describe your experience and ability to effectively work with others to deliver projects.

    5. Describe your experience and ability to effectively handle multiple assignments to meet deadlines on schedule.

    Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment.  If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification.  Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment.  Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent.  Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org.  Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

    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: 4/3/2026

    Who May Apply

    Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

    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

    Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

    Address for Mailing Application Packages

    You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

    Department of Transportation
    N/A
    Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact
    Certification Services MS-90
    P O Box 168036
    Sacramento, CA 95816-8036

    Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

    You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

    Department of Transportation
    Drop-Off Address
    Caltrans DHR Contact
    Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS
    1727 30th Street, MS 90
    Sacramento, CA 95816
    Closed on weekends and State holidays.
    08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

    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.
    • Statement of Qualifications -
      • Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.
    Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

    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:


    Possess knowledge of environmental laws, regulations, and processes related to hazardous waste, paleontological, geologic, air quality, water quality, water treatment systems, and noise resource assessments and investigations General principles of physics, soils, geology, chemistry, biology, hydraulics, civil engineering and surveys. Transportation facility design principles and the project development process, including the development of environmental documents, and the principles and practice involved in resource impact detection and mitigation. Basic laboratory chemical analysis methods and ability to read, understand, and interpret laboratory chemical analysis results. Civil engineering, including erosion control, basic fluvial processes, scour, geology, and soil stability. Principles and practice of contract and task order preparation and administration.

    Benefits

    Click HERE  to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

     

    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.

    Human Resources Contact:
    Shirley Panugaling
    (279) 599-8482
    shirley.panugaling@dot.ca.gov
    Hiring Unit Contact:
    Kanchan Shahi
    (916) 825-4251
    kanchan.shahi@dot.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:
    Caltrans EEO Office
    (844) 368-3367
    Ask.eeo@dot.ca.gov
    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.

    Important Application Instructions:

    The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-512344), PARF# 59-26-0098 and title of the position (Engineering Geologist) must be included on the STD. 678 form.

     

    Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.

     

    Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.

     

    NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts.  Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age.  The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position.  Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.

    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.

    Application Methods:
    Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
    By Mail
    Drop-off
    Print Job