Salary: $155,436.00 - $224,460.00 Annually
Location : Riverside, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-7140-01
Department: Public Utilities-Water
Division: PU-WATER UTILITY - ENGINEERING
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/11/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Position
The City of Riverside, Public Utilities Department (RPU) is accepting applications for the position of PRINCIPAL WATER ENGINEER to fill one (1) vacancy in the Water Division. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to twelve (12) months.

For positions indicating a salary range from 1N - 2X, the top 15% of the pay range cannot be offered upon hire or upon an employee promotion.
Under general direction, the Principal Water Engineer is to plan, assign, supervise and review professional engineering work as the head of a major engineering section. The Principal Water Engineer is to assist in developing and carrying out policies and programs and to do related work as required.
**The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current vacancy and/or other vacancies in the same classification.
Work Performed
Typical duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities.
• Confer with supervisors and assistants regarding project priorities and progress.
• Supervise and participate in the preparation and administration of the capital improvement program and budget.
• Supervise and participate in the preparation of special engineering studies and reports.
• Coordinate activities with other City Departments, Divisions, and Sections and with outside agencies.
• Prepare and administer section budget.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate professional and technical subordinates.

In addition, when assigned as a Principal Water Engineer:

• Supervise the development of plans and estimates for construction and maintenance of water systems including transmission and distribution mains, pump stations, pressure regulating stations, reservoirs and related facilities.
• Participate in development of contracts with other utilities and private developments.
• Supervise and participate in water system planning and water supply management.
• Supervise and participate in domestic and irrigation water system and water supply planning.
• Serve as staff to a variety of City commissions, boards and committees on water related matters.
• Serve as Acting Public Utilities Assistant Director/Water as required.

*This is a consolidated version of the job description to highlight information relevant to the current vacancy. To view the job description in its entirety, click HERE
Qualifications

Principal Water Engineer Education and Experience:
Education:
A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering or a closely related area.

Experience:
Five years' experience in the performance of professional water engineering work including a minimum of two years of supervisory experience.
Necessary Special Requirements:

• Registration in California as a Professional Engineer

Highly Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in preparing water master plans and preliminary design reports for water system facilities and infrastructure (including wells, pump stations, pressure reducing stations, transmission pipelines, and distribution mains).
• Experience in managing long-range water master planning and/or water resources studies related to capital improvement program development, water supply and demand projections, groundwater basin optimization, recycled water implementation and/or conservation programs and policies.
• Knowledge of hydraulic modeling principles and experience with hydraulic modeling software to perform analyses of fire flow estimates, water system shutdown impacts, and future demand scenarios.
• Experience with GIS software for preparing exhibits and performing spatial analyses.
• Ability to effectively plan, implement, and execute CIP projects and programs.
• Knowledge of CEQA
• Ability to develop, motivate and manage assigned staff.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and experience in preparing Board and/or Council reports.
• Experience in preparing and managing Operational and Capital Improvement Program budgets.

Selection Process

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
3) Resume and Letter of Interest
FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ON COMPLETING YOUR ON-LINE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE: (Application Guide).

The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:

If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.

NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.

Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:

1. An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at Members - NACES or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at http://aice-eval.org/members/.
2. An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.

All applicants will be notified via e-mail or telephone of their application status and the assessment dates/times/locations after the closing date of this announcement.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.

Benefit Level II includes Senior Management, Management and Professional classifications (Exempt)

The City offers an attractive benefits package, the central provisions of which are as follows:

• Retirement for Classic Members - For employees hired after 1/1/2013 who are CLASSIC MEMBERS of California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12 and have not been separated from service from such agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2.7 % @ age 55; 3-year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 8%. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Retirement for New Members - For employees hired 1/1/2013 or later and who ARE NOT a member of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) or a reciprocal agency as of 12/31/12, or those who have been separated from a public agency which contracts with CalPERS or a reciprocal agency for six months or more, the retirement benefit shall be 2% at age 62; 3 year final compensation. The required employee contribution is 50% of the normal cost. And is subject to change per CalPERS every fiscal year. The City does not participate in Social Security; thus, employees do not bear this additional 6.2% expense.
• Health Insurance - The City offers six health insurance plans and contributes up to $1,734 per month for HMO plans (family coverage).
• Dental Insurance - The City provides three dental insurance plans and contributes up to $85 per month.
• Vision Insurance - The City provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for employees and their dependents that are enrolled in medical coverage.
• Life Insurance - The City provides and pays for term life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment equal to two times the annual salary rounded to the next highest $1,000 (up to $700k) plus AD&D. Additional Life Insurance is available and voluntary for employee and eligible dependents (up to $300k).
• Deferred Compensation - The City will contribute the following amounts per month, with a minimum employee contribution of $12.50 per check:
  
  • Management and Professional Units: $150/month
  • Senior Management Unit: $175/month
• Leave Benefits - Includes vacation leave, sick leave, bereavement leave, and holiday benefits. Please refer to the Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan for specific details.
• Flexible Spending Account - The City offers a Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Plan for optional participation.
• Long Term Disability - The City offers optional enrollment in the Long-Term Disability Plan.
• LegalEase Plan - Optional legal services plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Critical Illness Plan - Optional critical illness insurance plan for employees and eligible dependents.
• Vacation Accrual - 0-9 yrs. = 144 hrs., 10+ yrs. = 184 hrs.
• Administrative Leave -
  
  • Management and Professional Units: 64 hrs. per fiscal year.
  • Senior Management Unit: 80 hrs. per fiscal year.

For additional benefits information, please visit the following website:

For part-time, benefitted positions the insurance and other benefits (leave accruals, holidays, etc.) are pro-rated based on ½ or ¾ time status.
01

Instructions: The information on the application and your responses to the following supplemental questions will be used to determine whether you meet the minimum and/or highly desirable qualifications for the position in which you are applying. Detailed responses must be provided for each question in order to ensure qualifications are properly considered.
(Do not refer to a resume in lieu of completing the supplemental questions).
Employers listed on this questionnaire must also be listed and fully detailed in the work experience section of your application.

• I understand.

02

Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed.

• Less than High School Diploma or GED
• High School Diploma or GED
• Some college coursework completed
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• PhD

03

Have you completed major course work in civil engineering?

• Yes
• No
• Related Courses

04

If you answered, "related courses", list the courses here. If not, indicate "N/A".
05

How many years of experience do you have in the performance of professional water engineering work including a minimum of two years of supervisory experience.

• Less than 5 years
• 5 years, or more

06

Are you registered in California as a Professional Engineer?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess experience in preparing water master plans and preliminary design reports for water system facilities and infrastructure (including wells, pump stations, pressure reducing stations, transmission pipelines, and distribution mains).

• Yes
• No

08

Do you possess experience in managing long-range water master planning and/or water resources studies related to capital improvement program development, water supply and demand projections, groundwater basin optimization, recycled water implementation and/or conservation programs and policies.

• Yes
• No

09

Do you have knowledge of hydraulic modeling principles and experience with hydraulic modeling software to perform analyses of fire flow estimates, water system shutdown impacts, and future demand scenarios.

• Yes
• No

10

Please indicate which of the following apply to you. Check ALL that apply:

• Experience with GIS software for preparing exhibits and performing spatial analyses.
• Ability to effectively plan, implement, and execute CIP projects and programs.
• Knowledge of CEQA
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, and experience in preparing Board and/or Council reports.
• Experience in preparing and managing Operational and Capital Improvement Program budgets.