Job Posting: Water Resource Control Engineer

State Water Resources Control Board

JC-523182
-
Water Resource Control Engineer
WATER RESOURCE CONTROL ENGINEER

$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: 7/15/2026

Job Description and Duties

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

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water has an opening for Water Resource Control Engineer in the Field Operations Branch. The position is located at 4925 Commerce Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93309.

Under the supervision of a Senior Water Resource Control Engineer (Senior WRCE), the incumbent will perform a variety of engineering work relating to public water systems. Duties include on-site inspection activities, including physical inspection of water source intakes, treatment plants, storage reservoirs, pump stations, and distribution facilities. The position will be responsible for other surveillance activities involved in the inspection of public water systems, including: the review of system operational records, procedures, submitted documents, and all required administrative program; data gathering necessary to maintain and update system inventory and inspection information; preparation of reports and letters documenting inspections and required corrective actions; maintaining and updating computer databases; and communicating findings with the Senior WRCE and water system personnel. On-site inspection activities include conducting physical examinations of water source intakes, treatment plants, storage, and distribution facilities. These activities require the WRCE to be able to perform tasks that may involve being on their feet for extended periods of time (such as standing, walking, hiking, or ascending fixed ladders), with or without reasonable accommodation.”

Additional duties include: preparing or reviewing reports and recommendations on permit requests for construction or modification of public water system sources, treatment plants, reservoirs, distribution and collection systems, and other related construction activities; verifying engineering calculations, design drawings, and other engineering documents, to assure water purveyors comply with good engineering practices and legal requirements; conducting on-site field inspections of water system facilities as part of the permit application processing; providing engineering assistance to public water systems on water quality issues, operational problems, and treatment facilities; providing assistance for Division research projects and policy development and studies; conducting enforcement activities to bring public water systems into compliance with applicable State laws and regulations; preparing enforcement letters, citations, and compliance orders; tracking compliance dates; and taking necessary follow-up action to ensure public water systems comply with the directives of the Division; reviewing plans for water treatment plants and proposed projects for recycled water reuse to determine compliance with health and engineering standards and regulations; reviewing and commenting on environmental impact reports to local agencies; assisting in conducting investigations of water quality problems such as those resulting from chemical or bacteriological contamination of public water supplies; consulting with and advising a variety of health and other public officials, engineers, attorneys, water consumer groups, and others, on public health aspects of water supply quality control programs; assisting in making presentations to interested groups on a variety of health related water supply matters; preparing or reviewing reports and recommendations on state funding applications and permit requests for construction or modification of public water system sources, treatment plants, distribution and collection systems, and other related construction activities.

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.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-523182
Position #(s):
880-458-3846-003
Working Title:
Water Resource Control Engineer
Classification:
WATER RESOURCE CONTROL ENGINEER
$6,488.00 - $7,735.00 A
$7,428.00 - $9,296.00 B
$9,137.00 - $11,437.00 C
$9,712.00 - $12,152.00 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:
Kern County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

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# 25-458-008 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 Water Resource Control Engineer 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=2925

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States that does meet accreditation standards must have education records evaluated by a credentials 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: 7/15/2026

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 / Aja Marsh
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 / Aja Marsh
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.
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:
  • Knowledge and experience working in design, construction, plan review, inspection, and report preparation related to domestic water systems, and familiarity with drinking water regulations.
  • Effective communication skills (written and verbal), good interpersonal skills, the ability to conduct field investigations, perform engineering evaluations, work independently, organize and set priorities on assignments and meet deadlines.
  • Work experience with computer applications (such as MS Word and Excel).

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:
Aja Marsh
(916) 322-9958
aja.marsh@waterboards.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Colson Hertzog
(661) 335-7317
colson.hertzog@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 size 12, Arial font, and normal margins.

  1. Describe your knowledge, background, and work experience, if any, with respect to water treatment practices and processes and drinking water distribution infrastructure.

  2. Describe what you believe are the most significant challenges currently facing public drinking water systems. Explain how your training and experience have prepared you to address these challenges.

  3. Describe your approach to providing professional customer service while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Include an example, if applicable, of how you communicated complex information to a customer, stakeholder, or member of the public.

  4. Describe your ability to develop and maintain cooperative and collaborative relationships.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated will 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
Print Job