ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Job Description and Duties Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify. Under the close supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist and consistent with good customer service practices and the goals of the State and Regional Water Board’s Strategic Plan, the incumbent is expected to be courteous and provide timely responses to internal/external customers, follow through on commitments, and to solicit and consider internal/external customer input when completing work assignments. This position is to work on National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Stormwater General Permits (Permits). Apply scientific concepts and principles about the environment, hydrology, aquatic resources, biological resources, and habitat protection in the implementation of the Permits. This may involve the following: implementation of the statewide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Stormwater General Permits; review and analyze stormwater data and information submitted by dischargers; lead the Stormwater Hep Desk to support and accurately respond to inquiries in a timely fashion; coordinate with the Regional Water Boards and the Office of Enforcement to prepare enforcement actions for noncompliance; and prepare effective presentation materials and make logical, comprehensible and convincing written and oral presentations at meetings as required. The position is located at 1001 I Street, 15th Floor, Sacramento, right in the heart of downtown next to light rail stations and other public transportation. Some travel may be required.

Additional information:

Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. If the position requires driving, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Please Do Not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package. Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: Recruitment Survey. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Working Conditions Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position. In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment. Proof of residency may be required. Salary Information - CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. Employees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved Civil Service Pay Scales. In addition, note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable bargaining contract. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay. Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST Additional Documents
• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement Department Information The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the nine (9) Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) (collectively the Water Boards) work to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations. The Water Boards value diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations. Join the Water Boards to improve the lives of all Californians.

Department Website:

https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/ Special Requirements In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:

• RPA# 26-250-031 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
• Photocopies of degree and official transcripts (if needed to establish eligibility) Must have Environmental Scientist list, transfer, or reinstatement eligibility and be reachable on the certification list. Here is the link to the exam: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Search/ExamSearch.aspx. An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States that does meet accreditation standards must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due during final minimum qualification evaluation of candidate(s). A link of accepted evaluation agencies can be found here: https://www.naces.org/members. Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through jobs.ca.gov is preferred. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD. 678), including work experience, dates, hours worked, contact names and phone numbers of supervisors on the state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD. 678 may be disqualified. In the hiring interview, the panel will consider education, experience, personal development, personal traits and fitness for the job. In appraising experience, more weight may be given to the breadth of pertinent experience and evidence of the candidate's ability to accept and fulfill increasing responsibilities than to the length of his/her experience. For additional information, you may refer to the class specification. Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
• Knowledge of environmental science principles relevant to water quality and construction and industrial stormwater.
• Interpreting and applying environmental regulations or permits (preferably NPDES, stormwater permits, or related regulatory frameworks).
• Understanding enforcement workflows or coordination with enforcement staff.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to regulated entities and the public.
• Respond to inquiries professionally and provide excellent customer-service-oriented support
• Ability to review and process correspondence and submissions in a timely, accurate manner.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, or training to colleagues or junior staff.
• Support consistent application of procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Experience and knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), GIS, or other data visualization software
• Strong time management and ability to manage multiple concurrent tasks.
• Accurate, attention to detail, and able to keep detailed records.
• Knowledge and understanding of the terms, concepts, and principles related to the fields of Environmental Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and/or Racial Equity and demonstrated ability to work effectively with staff, teams, and stakeholders with diverse cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds and perspectives.

Benefits

Water Board employees may be eligible for benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees, and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx and Health Benefits | CalPERS Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than two (2) pages in length, using (Arial 12), and normal margins.

• Describe your educational background and/or professional experience relating to stormwater, stormwater permitting, or other environmental laws, regulations, or permit programs. Provide specific examples of how you interpreted regulatory requirements and enforced business rules, regulations, or standards.
• This position requires frequent communication with regulated entities and the public. Describe how you communicated complex technical or regulatory information clearly and effectively and why it is important to provide clear and accurate information in a timely fashion. Please provide an example.
• Provide an example demonstrating your organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple tasks, track deadlines, maintain records, or process program-related correspondence efficiently and accurately.
• Provide an example of how you have worked collaboratively as part of a team. If applicable, describe any experience training, guiding, or mentoring colleagues or junior staff. Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated will not be considered. For guidance on writing effective SOQs, visit: Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethically. Failure to comply may result in disqualification. Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.