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Hydro Engineer (Staff or Senior)

THE COMMUNITY

Yuba County is a vibrant and historically rich region in Northern California, established as one of the original 27 counties on February 18, 1850. Nestled in the heart of the historic Mother Lode Country, it offers a blend of picturesque landscapes and charming communities, making it an appealing place to live and explore.

Geography and Recreation:

Yuba County is renowned for its diverse landscape, which includes majestic rivers, fertile farmland, and scenic Sierra foothills. The county is bordered by the Yuba and Feather rivers, with historic Marysville at its core. To the south, visitors and residents can enjoy attractions like the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the Toyota Amphitheatre, and the Marysville Drakes professional baseball team. Riverfront Park in Marysville is a hub for outdoor activities, featuring boating, picnicking, soccer fields, and motocross tracks.

To the north, in a community known as District 10, the area is characterized by its booming agricultural businesses. Here, local fruit and vegetable stands offer fresh produce from the region’s rich soil. Further up into the foothills, abundant recreation opportunities await, with New Bullards Bar Dam (fifth tallest dam in the United States), Collins Lake, Lake Francis, and over 25,000 acres of wildlife area, including National Forest land, all within easy reach.

Communities and Lifestyle:

Yuba County is home to approximately 84,000 residents who enjoy a relaxed lifestyle with affordable housing. The county’s small-town feel is complemented by its proximity to larger cities—Sacramento is just 30 minutes south, and both ocean beaches and mountain skiing are within a couple of hours’ drive. Communities such as Plumas Lake, Loma Rica, Browns Valley, Oregon House, Dobbins, Brownsville, Challenge, and Camptonville each offer unique historical and cultural elements that contribute to the region’s charm.

Education and Economy:

Education is a priority in Yuba County, with excellent local school systems and Yuba Community College providing opportunities for higher education and personal growth. Additionally, California State Universities at Chico and Sacramento, as well as the University of California at Davis, are all within an hour’s drive. The county’s economy is bolstered by its strong agricultural sector, which thrives in the fertile lands of District 10.

Military Presence:

Beale Air Force Base, located just outside Wheatland, is another significant asset for Yuba County. This base is home to advanced reconnaissance technology, Beale AFB plays a crucial role in Air Force missions related to reconnaissance, maintenance, training, and pilot operations.

Overall, Yuba County offers a blend of historical richness, recreational opportunities, and a welcoming small-town atmosphere, making it a unique and desirable place to live and visit.

THE AGENCY

Yuba Water Agency: A Legacy of Innovation and Collaboration

Overview and Mission: Yuba Water Agency, an independent public entity established by the California State Legislature in 1959, is dedicated to serving the residents of Yuba County. In 2016, a 50-year Power Purchase Agreement between PG&E and Yuba Water Agency expired, which allowed Yuba Water to retain the power generation revenue themselves and use it to benefit the people of Yuba County.

Governed by a board of seven elected officials with 104 full-time employees, the agency focuses on several key missions:

• Flood Risk Reduction: Mitigating the potential for flood damage and enhancing community
• Water Supply Reliability: Ensuring a stable and dependable water source for agricultural and community needs.
• Fish Habitat Protection and Enhancement: Promoting the health and sustainability of local aquatic ecosystems.
• Hydroelectric Generation: Producing renewable energy through its hydroelectric facilities.
• Recreation at New Bullards Bar: Providing recreational opportunities and access to natural

Facilities and Operations:
The agency manages substantial resources, including facilities capable of storing around one million acre- feet of water and generating more than 400 megawatts of hydropower. Each year, Yuba Water Agency releases over 260,000 acre-feet of water to eight local irrigation districts, which then deliver it to farmers and ranchers throughout Yuba County.

Collaborative Efforts and Recognition:
Yuba Water Agency is known for its leadership in water management, fisheries restoration, and collaborative projects. The agency has engaged in numerous partnerships with local, state, and federal entities, as well as conservation groups.

Historical Context and Development:
The agency’s origins are rooted in addressing significant historical challenges. In the aftermath of the Gold Rush, hydraulic mining practices had severely impacted the Yuba River, raising the riverbed with debris and increasing flood risk. Additionally, the shift from mining to agriculture led to the over-drafting of aquifers, resulting in declining groundwater levels.

To address these issues, the Yuba Water Agency proposed the Yuba River Development Project, a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing flood risk, improving water management, and power generation. Approved in 1961 and licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 1966, the project was completed in 1970. This development has played a crucial role in transforming the region’s water management and flood risk reduction capabilities.

Yuba Water Agency remains a cornerstone of Yuba County’s infrastructure, balancing the needs for reducing flood risk, water supply, power generation, and environmental stewardship. Its historical achievements and ongoing efforts underscore a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for the community, while preserving the natural environment.

THE DEPARTMENT

Power Systems Division at Yuba Water Agency:

Overview: The Power Systems division is a crucial component of Yuba Water Agency, responsible for overseeing and maintaining essential infrastructure and operations related to hydroelectric power generation. This division manages:

• Four Dams: Key structures for water storage, flood risk reduction, and power generation.
• Four Power Houses: Facilities where hydroelectric energy is generated.
• Associated Assets: Includes infrastructure and equipment critical to the operation of dams and powerhouses.
• Recreational Facilities: Managed and maintained to support community access and enjoyment.

The division is staffed by approximately 40 employees dedicated to ensuring the efficient and reliable operation of these assets. Check out Yuba Water Agency: Hydropower Operations

Engineering Department: The Hydro Engineer position is part of the engineering department within the Power Systems division. This department plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing the technical aspects of hydroelectric operations and infrastructure. The department is led by:

• Engineering Manager Justin Hoffman: An experienced leader with eight years of service at Yuba Water Agency. Justin oversees a highly skilled and collaborative team of six engineers who are instrumental in supporting the division’s objectives. The pockets of the division include Dam Safety, Rotating Machinery, and Project Management (Non-routine and Capital Projects). Check out this interview with Justin Hoffman

Team Dynamics: The engineering team under Justin Hoffman’s leadership is known for its dedication, collaboration, and expertise. The team works closely together to address complex engineering challenges, support ongoing projects, and contribute to the division’s overall success.

THE FACILITIES

The Yuba River Development Project

Yuba Water Agency owns and operates the Yuba River Development Project. Our House and Log Cabin dams divert water into New Bullards Bar Reservoir, and water released from New Bullards Bar Dam travels to the New Colgate, Narrows I and Narrows II powerhouses, where it is used to generate clean, carbon-free electricity.


THE POSITION

The Hydro Engineer (Staff or Senior) (CE, ME, EE) focuses on project management within the Power Systems Division. You would be expected to:

Project Oversight: Lead and manage large, non- routine projects with budgets over $50,000. This includes everything from initial planning and budgeting to execution and completion. Projects may range from recreation civil projects to complex replacements like a powerhouse generator step-up transformer.

Diverse Project Scope: Handle a variety of projects, so flexibility and the ability to adapt to different types of work are crucial. Your projects will not only vary in scope but also in technical requirements and challenges.

Resource Management: Since you won’t need to be a specialist in one particular engineering discipline, you’ll rely on both internal resources (other engineers, technical staff) and external experts or consultants to achieve project goals. Effective coordination and communication with these resources will be key to your success.

Budget and Schedule Management: Ensure that projects are completed within the allocated budget and timeframe. This involves regular monitoring, adjusting plans as needed, and managing any risks that might impact the project’s progress.

Compliance and Quality Assurance: Make sure that all projects adhere to relevant standards, regulations, and quality requirements. This might include environmental regulations, safety standards, and technical specifications.

Stakeholder Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with stakeholders, including project sponsors, team members, and external partners. This involves providing regular updates, addressing concerns, and ensuring that everyone involved is aligned with project goals.

Problem-Solving: Tackle unexpected issues and challenges as they arise. This could involve troubleshooting technical problems, managing conflicts, or finding creative solutions to keep the project on track.

This role is crucial for ensuring that diverse and dynamic projects within the Power Systems Division are completed efficiently, on time, and within budget while meeting all required standards and objectives.


THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Current & Future Projects:

• New Bullard’s Bar Dam Radial Gate Maintenance
• Narrows 2 Generator Step-up Transformer Replacement
• Narrows 1 Tram Evaluation
• Development of Engineering Specifications

Proposed projects under the new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission license:

• Enhancements to approximately 12 recreation
• Approximately 5 miles of new project road and trails, supporting the execution of at least 20 implementation plans.
• Modification to minimum flow release

Minimum Qualifications:

Education/Training: Must possess a Bachelor of Science in Civil, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university.

Experience:

• Staff: 2-5 years of increasingly responsible engineering and project management experience. 5-10 years of increasingly responsible engineering experience is preferred, as well as two or more years of experience in hydroelectric generation and/or closely related field.
• Senior: 5-10 years of increasingly responsible engineering and project management 10+ years of increasingly responsible engineering experience is preferred as well as five or more years of experience in power generation and/or closely related field.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of, and ability to maintain an appropriate valid driver’s license.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is highly desired or the ability to obtain.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

BENEFITS COMPENSATION

Hydro Engineer (Staff or Senior)

*The salary range for this position is $132,131.60 - $191,713.60 annually.

Placement within this range is dependent upon the qualifications. In addition, the agency also provides a competitive benefits package described in more detail here that includes but is not limited to:

Work Schedule:
- 9/80 or 5/40: two days of telework
- 4/10: one day of telework

Retirement: CalPERS: For classic members, 2% @ 55 formula, and the agency will pay 5% of the employee’s 7% contribution to CalPERS. For all others, subject to the provisions of AB340 with a 2%@ 62 formula.

Deferred Compensation: Voluntary participation in agency plans. The agency will contribute 7.65% amount towards the plan.

Medical Insurance: The agency covers health insurance costs as follows: $901.61 per month for single-party coverage, $1,803.22 per month for two-party coverage, and $2,448.89 per month for three or more parties.

Dental and Vision: 100% paid coverage for employees and dependents.
• Dental coverage includes an annual limit of $2000 for basic services. Orthodontic coverage provides $2,000 per family member.
• Vision basic coverage includes an annual eye exam and either a pair of glasses or contacts every year. There’s a $15 copay for the exam, and $150 is allocated towards frames, while basic lenses are covered.

Retiree Medical Reimbursement: Your tenure of 10 years of service credit with the agency and retirement from CalPERS. The agency’s present contribution for each annuitant, including enrollment of his/her family members, is a maximum of $1,850 per month.

Health Reimbursement Account (HRA): The agency contribution of $600 per year for 2024.

Life Insurance: $100,000 is provided by the agency for employees, with options for purchasing supplemental life and long-term disability coverage.

Vacation: Accrued at 12.6 hours per calendar month and increases with years of service.

Sick Leave: Accrued at 10 hours per calendar month.

Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.

Paid Family Leave: The agency participates in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program, which can be seamlessly supplemented with the employee’s leave banks for enhanced coverage.

Additional Benefit: The agency proudly offers pet insurance, ensuring peace of mind for you and your furry companions.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Medical and dependent care are available with pre-tax payroll contributions.

Employee Assistance Program: The agency provides an extensive array of complimentary support services designed to benefit both employees and their households.

Educational/Training tuition reimbursement: Generously available to support your continued learning and professional growth.

Dependent Care: This benefit is available as part of Flexible Spending Account program.

Learn more about what it’s like to work for Yuba Water Agency


APPLY TODAY

If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please contact:
Jenna Flanagan (916) 304-6663
jenna@jpowersinc.com

Filing Deadline
This position will remain open until filled.
The Yuba Water Agency is an equal-opportunity employer.

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