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 523182 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Link: CalCareers

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 7/15/2026. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.

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.

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.