Water Resources Engineer

Open until filled
Priority Screening January 23, 2026

Exam: 25/41E11/12JL

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

The Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) is recruiting for the position of Water Resources Engineer.

Prior to its formal establishment in 1991, the Monterey County Water Resources Agency (MCWRA) was the Monterey County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, established in 1947 and organized as a division of the Public Works Department of Monterey County. MCWRA provides services related to the control of flood and storm waters in Monterey County, conservation, protection of water quality, reclamation of water, and the exchange of water.

Fundamental to the agency’s mission to sustainably manage water resources while minimizing impacts from flooding, MCWRA owns and operates two dams on principal tributaries to the Salinas River (Nacimiento and San Antonio), along with the associated reservoirs. The Agency also owns a recycled water irrigation distribution system for agricultural users in the farmland surrounding Castroville, CA. A handful of other water conveyance and diversion facilities are also under the Agency’s management.

The Agency’s primary objective is to manage water resources throughout the County with a concentration in the Salinas Valley. The Agency collaborates and works with many other public agencies such as the Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency, Monterey One Water, and other local, state and federal agencies.

The ideal candidate for the Water Resources Engineer position in the Operations Section will have a strong background in construction, repair, and maintenance of various water resource-related facilities such as reservoirs, ponds, pipelines, valves, pump stations, groundwater wells, culverts, and earthen dams, and channels. This position will be primarily working on the Water Resources Agency Water Recycling Projects that include the Castroville Seawater Intrusion Project and the Salinas River Diversion Facility.

Experience working on Recycled Water Projects or other pipeline distribution systems is desired but not required. The ideal candidate will demonstrate integrity, flexibility, and adaptability, navigating complex situations with professionalism and poise. They will be able to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and remain organized to complete multiple projects concurrently. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working in both an office setting and, more importantly, being outdoors doing field work for inspections, system monitoring, construction projects and repair oversight, or minor surveying work.

The ideal candidate will be comfortable working with a variety of people, including other staff within the Agency, consultants (environmental, engineering, construction), technicians, field maintenance staff, and regulatory or cooperative agency staff.

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

• Performs a variety of engineering duties in the planning, design review, development, construction, operation, and maintenance of the Agency’s flood control, water quality, and water production, storage, treatment and distribution facilities and systems; ensures adherence to professional standards, codes and Agency specifications
• Conducts various engineering studies, investigations and analyses; participates in the preparation of reports regarding issues such as the environmental, hydraulic, geotechnical, seismic, hydrologic, geomorphic, water quality, and treatment process aspects of water supply and flood control facilities and sites
• Assists in the preparation of engineering…