Job Posting: ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST

State Water Resources Control Board

JC-515472
-
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: 5/13/2026

Job Description and Duties

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

Are you ready to build a meaningful career learning from a team of water professionals who are passionate about protecting our most precious resource? Look no further! Our Water Board team feels strongly about mentoring the next generation of water professionals, and this is an outstanding opportunity to gain firsthand experience that will help build the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to transition to a career protecting our water resources.

The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Board’s Department of Defense/Site Cleanup Unit has an opening for an Engineering Geologist. The position is located in San Bernardino County at 15095 Amargosa Rd, Building 2, Suite 210, Victorville, CA 92394, close to Interstate 15 exits.

Five reasons to apply today to join our elite team!

  1. The Lahontan Region encompasses many scenic vistas from the highest (Mount Whitney) and lowest (Death Valley) points in the contiguous US and diverse topography throughout. There are two Outstanding National Resource Waters, Lake Tahoe, and Mono Lake, located within the Lahontan Region. Our employees are encouraged to enjoy all that the region has to offer with outdoor recreation, such as hiking, trail running, backpacking, camping, snowboarding, skiing, swimming, boating, birding, fishing, landscape photography and rock hounding (gem, mineral, and fossil collecting)!

 

  1. The Water Board offers a first-class training academy that the Engineering Geologist will have direct access to. This is a great way to enhance your skillset and build upon your resume.


  1. This position includes opportunities for fieldwork involving groundwater, surface water, soil, and soil vapor sampling. The Water Board provides affiliated field safety and HAZWOPER training, offering staff the support and preparation needed to build valuable field experience.

 

  1. This job provides a tremendous opportunity to learn and grow with a dynamic group of dedicated professionals that will give the Engineering Geologist real-life experiences and affords a great base to expand their career path.

Additional information:

Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.

If the position requires driving, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Please Do Not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: Recruitment Survey.

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

Working Conditions

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position and might be expected to comply with Executive Order (EO) 22-25 after July 1, 2026.

In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.  Proof of residency may be required.

Salary Information - CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. Employees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved Civil Service Pay Scales.

In addition, note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable bargaining contract. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-515472
Position #(s):
880-165-3756-017
Working Title:
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST
Classification:
ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST
$6,488.00 - $7,735.00 A
$7,428.00 - $9,296.00 B
$9,142.00 - $11,449.00 C
$9,754.00 - $12,215.00 D
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
San Bernardino County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
State Water Resources Control Board

Department Information

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the nine (9) Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) (collectively the Water Boards) work to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Water Boards value diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations. Join the Water Boards to improve the lives of all Californians.

Department Website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:

  • RPA# 26-165-009 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
  • Photocopies of degree and official transcripts (if needed to establish eligibility).

Must have Engineering Geologist list, transfer, or reinstatement eligibility and be reachable on the certification list.

Here is the link to the exam:  https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1685

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States that does meet accreditation standards must have education records evaluated by a credential’s evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due during final minimum qualification evaluation of candidate(s). A link of accepted evaluation agencies can be found here: https://www.naces.org/members.

Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through jobs.ca.gov is preferred. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD. 678), including work experience, dates, hours worked, contact names and phone numbers of supervisors on the state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD. 678 may be disqualified.

In the hiring interview, the panel will consider education, experience, personal development, personal traits and fitness for the job. In appraising experience, more weight may be given to the breadth of pertinent experience and evidence of the candidate's ability to accept and fulfill increasing responsibilities than to the length of his/her experience. For additional information, you may refer to the class specification.

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: 5/13/2026

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.

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:

State Water Resources Control Board
Attn: Human Resources-Tiffani Pace
1001 I Street, 18th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

State Water Resources Control Board
Attn: Human Resources-Tiffani Pace
1001 I Street, 18th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
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 required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications - Please see below for specific requirements.
    • For guidance on writing effective SOQs, visit: Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethically. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.
  • Other - Cover Letter is required and must be included.
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:

Please remember these are desirable and are not required.

  1. Possession of current 40-hour Hazardous Waste Safety Training (HAZWOPER) certification and First Aid/CPR/AED Certification.
  2. Possession of current California Professional Geologist license.
  3. Knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office applications.
  4. Knowledge of and experience with customer service.
  5. Knowledge of and experience with public speaking, preparing presentations and presenting to technical and non-technical audiences.
  6. Knowledge of and experience being outdoors, working in extreme temperatures, remote areas, navigating uneven and rugged terrain, driving on unpaved surfaces, carrying field supplies.
  7. Knowledge of and experience with managing multiple assignments and meeting deadlines with frequent changes and/or shifting priorities.
  8. Knowledge of and experience working independently and collaboratively as a team in in-person and remote settings.
  9. Knowledge of and experience with California and federal laws, policies and regulations applicable to site cleanup, waste management, and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act process. 
  10. Knowledge of and experience with California State Water Board’s GeoTracker database.
  11. Knowledge of and experience with field activities including site inspections, subsurface investigation techniques, groundwater sampling techniques, soil sampling techniques, soil gas sampling techniques, soil boring logs, well construction details, remediation technologies, landfill maintenance, surface water sampling, storm water sampling, sample management and laboratory interface.
  12. Knowledge of and experience with document preparation and/or review, including field and lab data analysis, groundwater monitoring reports, site assessment reports, work plans, soil management plans.
  13. Knowledge of and experience with complex documents, including risk assessments, feasibility studies, fate and transport modeling, conceptual site models, corrective action plans, Records of Decision, quality assurance project plans.

    Benefits

    Water Board employees may be eligible for benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees, and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx and Health Benefits | CalPERS

    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.

    Department Website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/
    Human Resources Contact:
    Tiffani Pace
    (916) 327-7001
    Tiffani.pace@waterboards.ca.gov
    Hiring Unit Contact:
    Lorien Sanders
    (760) 241-4942
    Lorien.Sanders@waterboards.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:
    Shyla Hoffman
    (916) 341-5881
    shyla.hoffman@waterboards.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.

    Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

    A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than four (4) pages in length, using Arial 12-point font, and normal margins.

    The SOQ must address each “Desirable Qualification” listed in the “Desirable Qualifications” section this bulletin. For each Desirable Qualification factor, you must indicate your total years of experience and provide specific examples describing your experience, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to the Desirable Qualification. The Desirable Qualification factors must be addressed in the same order as listed in the “Desirable Qualifications” section this bulletin.

    Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated may not be considered.

    For guidance on writing effective SOQs, visit: Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethically. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

    Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

    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