Student Assistant Engineering & Architectural

Final Filing Date:  April 6, 2026.

**Please do not apply on Handshake. Applications submitted via Handshake will not be received by DWR.  Online applications MUST BE submitted via https://calcareers.ca.gov/ .**

At DWR you will have the support of knowledgeable and helpful colleagues, robust training programs, and professional organizational memberships for your professional growth.  Our large organization provides an opportunity for a long and promising career full of growth and opportunity.  We hope you’ll apply for this great career opportunity.

Job Description and Duties

Launch your career in water resources and environmental engineering as a Student Assistant (Engineering & Architectural) and gain hands-on experience both in the field and in the office. Work alongside engineers and scientists on meaningful fish passage and river restoration projects, assisting with topographic and bathymetric surveys using GPS and total station equipment, collecting and analyzing field data, and supporting preliminary design and cost estimates. Spend time in dynamic outdoor settings measuring stream flows with advanced acoustic Doppler technology, helping install and maintain stream gages, and contributing to real-world hydrologic and hydraulic modeling efforts. Build valuable technical skills in computer-aided drafting, data management, and report preparation while supporting water diversion and flow analyses. This is an exciting opportunity to apply your academic knowledge, develop practical engineering skills, and make a direct impact on Northern California’s waterways.

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

Special Requirements

Must have a valid California driver's license to drive a personal, rental, or State vehicle to meetings, conferences, trainings or project sites.  Field work involves strenuous physical activity, including traveling on short notice for overnight assignments lasting several consecutive days and independently accessing remote sites by vehicle, boat, or other means. Duties require operating pickup trucks and towing trailers over rugged terrain, launching and operating boats with outboard motors, and transporting equipment weighing up to 50 pounds across steep, undeveloped areas. Work is performed in and around swift, deep waterways and includes swimming or staying afloat, wading across streams while carrying heavy objects, and maintaining stability in challenging conditions. The role also requires working extended hours in extreme weather, navigating densely vegetated areas with potential exposure to pests and wildlife, and handling tools and materials.

All applicants for Student Assistant positions must meet the following departmental eligibility requirements: 

1. Enrolled in nine (9) semester/eight (8) quarter units for undergraduate students or six (6) semester/four (4) quarter units for graduate students. 

2. Achieved a 2.0 grade point average in the most recently completed academic term. 

3. Declared a major related to the duties of the advertised position and enrolled in coursework required for that major. 

Position Details

Job Code #:  JC-509287

Working Title:  Student Assistant (E&A)

Classification:  STUDENT ASSISTANT -ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCES-

Salary Range:  $18.27 - $28.16 hourly

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:  2

Work Location:  Red Bluff

Telework:  Hybrid

Job Type:  Student Assistant

Contact Information:
Kim Burns
(530) 489-8088
kim.burns@water.ca.gov

For more information including detailed job duties, minimum qualifications, and how to apply, please go to https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=509287.

To learn more about how to get a State job, click here.