Job Description and Duties Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify. Are you looking for an exciting and fulfilling career in Groundwater Protection? If you enjoy a career protecting the environment and human health, then this may be the position for you! Apply today and join our team. The State Water Resources Control Board’s Colorado River Basin has an opening for an Engineering Geologist in the Site Cleanup Unit. The position is location is located at 73-720 Fred Waring Dr., Suite 100, Palm Desert in the beautiful and scenic Coachella Valley with panoramic views of the San Jacinto Mountains and year-round green landscaping, golf courses, palm trees and affordable housing. Duties: Under the close supervision of the Senior Engineering Geologist (Supervisor), the incumbent will be responsible for the regulatory oversight of ground and surface water pollutant investigation and mitigation for the Site Cleanup Program (SCP) locations within the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB) – Colorado River Basin Region (Region 7). Sites will include unauthorized releases from: storage vessels (above and underground storage tanks, and drummed storage); transmission/transportation systems (pipelines, rail transport, truck transport, and vehicle/vessel transport), large industrial facilities, and smaller facilities such as dry cleaners. Use technical judgment to review regulatory/historical records related to chemical storage/use and environmental site investigations to make recommendations on the acceptability of technical reports and other actions which address release of pollutants to soil and groundwater. Perform geologic work in all aspects of waste regulation including soil, soil vapor and groundwater investigation of contamination. Evaluate and provide written comments on conceptual site model (CSM) of sites with an unauthorized contaminant release based on information provided in CSM Reports. Use the CSM to delineate unauthorized contaminant releases to soil and groundwater, appropriateness of groundwater monitoring networks, reasonableness of remedial design, and operational effectiveness of soil and groundwater remediation systems.
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.
- ENGINEERING GEOLOGIST Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement 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# 26-170-020 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application. 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 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. 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:
- Self-motivated, a good work ethic, and a desire to learn and improve environmental public policy.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience in public speaking and experience in customer service interacting with members of the public.
- The ability to organize and set priorities on assignments and meet deadlines.
- Knowledge and/or experience in conducting investigations and remediation of multiple contaminants in various media including soil, soil gas and groundwater.
- Knowledge and/or experience in organizing and conducting field investigations and facility inspections.
- An understanding of the contaminants fate and transport in the environment and their impacts on the water resources and principles governing the movement of contaminants in groundwater basins.
- Knowledge and/or experience reviewing environmental workplans and reports.
- Knowledge and/or experience with project management.
- Ability to consistently apply good judgment in analyzing water quality issues.
- Work independently and in cooperation with other technical staff; follow through on commitments; organize and set priorities; and meet deadlines.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Good computer (Excel, Word, Access and Power Point) and writing skills.
- Knowledge of/and or experience with regulations related to the protection of water resources, public health, and environment.
Benefits
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. 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 Statement of Qualifications 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 two (2) pages in length, using Arial Font and twelve (12) size, and normal margins.
Indicate your total years of experience when answering the following statements/questions:
- Describe your knowledge of and experience, including in the field, evaluating and interpreting hydrogeologic, geomorphologic, and/or geologic processes.
- Describe your knowledge of and/or experience evaluating surface water and/or groundwater quality issues.
- Describe your experience researching, analyzing, interpreting, and managing technical data.
- Describe your experience presenting technical information and/or in public speaking.
- Describe your experience providing customer service and/or working directly with members of the public. 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