Hydro Engineer; or Senior-FILLED

Hydro Engineer (Staff or Senior)

Yuba Water Agency seeks a Hydro Engineer (Staff or Senior) with a background in Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering to oversee non‑routine projects within the Power Systems Division. The role focuses on project management, budget oversight, and stakeholder communication for hydroelectric operations.

Yuba County is a vibrant region in Northern California known for its historic Mother Lode country, scenic Sierra foothills, and a mix of agricultural and recreational opportunities.

Yuba Water Agency is an independent public entity that delivers water, flood risk reduction, and hydroelectric power across Yuba County. It operates a 1 million acre‑ft reservoir system and 400 MW of hydropower.

• Flood Risk Reduction – mitigate flood damage.
• Water Supply Reliability – provide stable water for agriculture.
• Fish Habitat Protection – promote aquatic ecosystem health.
• Hydroelectric Generation – produce renewable energy.
• Recreation – support access to New Bullards Bar.

The Power Systems Division manages four dams, four powerhouses, and associated assets. The Engineering Department, led by Manager Justin Hoffman, directs engineering support for dam safety, rotating machinery, and capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage large, non‑routine projects with budgets over $50,000, from planning and budgeting to execution.
• Handle diverse projects, adapting to varied technical requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external resources, including engineers, technical staff, and consultants.
• Maintain project budgets and schedules, monitoring progress and mitigating risks.
• Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, safety standards, and quality requirements.
• Communicate actively with stakeholders, sponsors, team members, and partners.
• Troubleshoot unexpected issues and provide creative solutions.

• New Bullards Bar Dam Radial Gate Maintenance
• Narrows 2 Generator Step‑up Transformer Replacement
• Narrows 1 Tram Evaluation
• Development of Engineering Specifications

• Enhancements to approximately 12 recreation sites
• Approximately 5 miles of new project road and trails
• Modification to minimum flow release

Education/Training

• Bachelor of Science in Civil, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering (ABET‑accredited).

• Staff – 2–5 years of engineering/project management experience; 5–10 years of engineering experience preferred; 2+ years in hydroelectric or related field.
• Senior – 5–10 years of engineering/project management experience; 10+ years of engineering experience preferred; 5+ years in power generation or related field.

• Valid driver’s license.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification desired.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

Salary – $132,132 – $191,714 annually. Additional benefits include retirement, health and dental insurance, retirement medical reimbursement, HRA, life insurance, vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, paid family leave, pet insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, and dependent care. The agency also offers telework options: 9/80 or 5/40 (two days), 4/10 (one day).

To apply, contact Jenna Flanagan at (916) 304‑6663 or  The position remains open until filled. The Yuba Water Agency is an equal‑opportunity employer.