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 508251 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Link: CalCareers

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 3/19/2026. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.

Are you looking for an exciting and fulfilling career that will allow you to help protect California’s water resources and the environment? If you’re interested in working with a great team of people to protect California’s waters while working on complex priorities related to the management of water in key watersheds throughout California, then this may be the position for you! Apply today and join our team.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Water Rights has an opening for an Senior Water Resource Control Engineer (Specialist) in its Instream Flows Section. The position is located at 1001 I Street, 14th Floor, Sacramento, right in the heart of downtown next to light rail stations and other public transportation.

Duties:

Under the direction of an Environmental Program Manager I, the incumbent will work in the Instream Flows Section (Section) with an interdisciplinary team of technical staff on programs and policies related to instream flows that are of major sensitivity and complexity. These programs and policies include State Water Board development and implementation of instream flows, which includes development of flow criteria and requirements to protect public trust resources, implementation of flow requirements, and development of program and project-related environmental documents as required by California law. The work of this Section will focus on high-priority instream flow work underway (e.g., Scott River, Shasta River, Ventura River) and additional efforts in other areas of the state including where flows are impacted by diversions of water for cannabis. This work is of great importance to the State Water Board and is often controversial. This work includes leading development and oversight of complex hydrologic models and other tools and providing technical expertise in the development of flow requirements, technical documents, hydrologic analyses, regulations, and policies to protect public trust resources and other beneficial uses of water. This includes working with consultants and managing contracts related to the development of technical information to support the development of models, tools, and the development and implementation of flow requirements. The work includes outreach and coordination with the regulated community, state and local agencies, tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and other interested parties. The incumbent is also responsible for the development of information and presentations to inform the State Water Board’s Executive management, Board members, and public of the Section’s work. 

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

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.