Scientific Aid

Job Description and Duties Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify. Please note: this position is paid on an hourly basis and limited to 1200 hours in a rolling year. The salary range for Scientific Aid is $18.26 - $21.67 per hour. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region (San Diego Water Board) has an opening for a Scientific Aid in the Agriculture and Waste Management Unit located at 2375 Northside Drive, San Diego 92108. Under the direction of a Senior Engineering Geologist (Supervisory) or delegated technical staff, and consistent with good customer service practices and the goals of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) strategic plan, the Scientific Aid is expected to be courteous and provide timely responses to internal and external customers, follow through on commitments, and consider both internal and external customer input when completing work assignments. Specific job duties and responsibilities are included in the Duty Statement attached.

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.

• SCIENTIFIC AID 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# 26-190-027 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
• Valid Driver’s license
• Scientific Aid – Please see below for additional information.
• Photocopies of Transcripts (unofficial ok) 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:
• Experience in providing customer service.
• Experience in interacting with groups and making effective public presentations or briefings.
• Experience in working independently or in cross-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in following through on commitments and meeting critical deadlines; and
• Experience in following instructions through standard work processes, checking work products for accuracy.

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 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 size 12 font and normal margins. The SOQ must clearly explain, describe, and provide relevant examples as related to each of the factors listed in the Desirable Qualifications, have prepared you to successfully manage cases in the San Diego Water Board’s Agriculture and Waste Management Unit, and contribute to the overall mission of the San Diego Water Board. Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated may 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. CalWORKs Additional Information This is a non-testing classification, therefore anyone meeting the minimum qualifications listed on the classification specification may apply for this position. Applicants on public assistance under the CalWorks/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will be given priority. A letter from the County Welfare department verifying CalWorks/TANF status MUST be submitted with your application. If verification is not submitted with the Std. 678 application, the application will not be processed. Applicants who receive state public assistance need to identify their status as a CalWorks recipient in the comments area on their state application.