Water Resource Engineer (JC-498674)

To be considered for this position, you must apply at CalCareers.ca.gov. To apply, you must first create a CalCareers account. Once your account is created, you can search for job code 498674 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 12/22/2025. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.

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

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.

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.

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

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Board) provides regulatory oversight of a wide variety of activities that pose a threat to the quality of the region’s surface and ground water. The Board’s Redding office has a tight-knit management team and highly capable staff that together aim to influence practices and policies statewide.

We are looking for a motivated candidate to fill a staff Water Resource Control Engineer position responsible for providing regulatory oversight of challenging cannabis cultivation activities in the Cannabis Regulatory Unit. The incumbent will perform staff level activities associated with the evaluation, inspection, regulation, and remediation of cannabis cultivation activities to integrate engineering expertise in the identification and treatment of water quality threats associated with cannabis cultivation. The incumbent will successfully work with a variety of parties from diverse backgrounds and education, including engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, scientific aids, clerical staff, managers, and legal counsel.

The position is located at 364 Knollcrest Dr. Ste 205, Redding, CA 96002.

Under the general direction of the Senior Engineering Geologist, the incumbent will participate in the following components of the Cannabis Regulatory Program:

• Permitting/permit compliance
• Outreach
• Enforcement

Duties Include: Reviewing technical documents including results of impact investigations, conducting inspections, assessing potential impacts to the beneficial uses of water quality from cannabis cultivation activities and developing recommendations for management measures to be implemented, drafting correspondence and waste discharge requirements, responding to related inquiries, conducting sampling/monitoring and participating in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies and regulated dischargers and the public. Using best professional judgment to assure that cannabis cultivation activities are being performed in a manner that will avoid negatively effecting sensitive beneficial uses of water quality such as anadromous salmonid habitat and domestic water supply.  Make presentations to interested parties, agencies, local government representatives and the Regional Water Board.  Provide technical assistance to agencies and the public to improve project implementation for water quality benefits.  The position requires the exercise of professional judgment in performance of duties and the preparation of written and oral reports for staff managers, other agencies, responsible parties, and the Regional Water Board.

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

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.

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.

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

Job type: Full-Time

$6,488.00 - $12,152.00 per Month

The Water Resources Control Board is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer.