Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position and might be expected to comply with Executive Order (EO) 22-25 after July 1, 2026.

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.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s (State Water Board) Division of Water Quality Sustainable Water Plans and Policies Section has an opening for a permanent full-time Environmental Scientist to join a dynamic team environment in the Strategy to Optimize Resource Management of Stormwater (STORMS) Unit. We are seeking a talented scientist with strong critical thinking skills to assist the team in leading the evolution of stormwater management in California by advancing the perspective that stormwater is a valuable resource.

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. This position may be eligible for telework with some in-person attendance.

Duties:

The Environmental Scientist will work with a dynamic multidisciplinary team to develop and implement stormwater quality solutions and projects aligned with the Stormwater Strategy and Governor’s Water Supply Strategy. Projects may include volume calculations of captured stormwater and permit effectiveness evaluations. The incumbent may also act in a lead capacity to develop and implement scientifically-sound water quality control plans and policies for assigned projects such as urban stormwater infiltration and cost reporting for municipal stormwater permits.

See the Duty Statement for a detailed description of the position.

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 .

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:

• RPA# 25-250-098 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:  

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: .

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:

Stormwater Science & Policy

• Familiarity with stormwater regulations and water quality control plans, including experience drafting or reviewing permits, policies, or technical reports.
• Knowledge or experience related to stormwater management practices, green infrastructure, and stormwater regulations (for example MS4 and CII programs).
• Demonstrated experience with stormwater or surface-water monitoring, water-quality assessment, or contaminant fate/transport analysis.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

• Proven ability to conduct research, analyze complex environmental data, and apply critical thinking to solve water quality challenges.
• Experience using data analysis tools (e.g., R, Python, GIS, Excel, Power BI) to support environmental decision-making or policy development.

Collaboration & Coordination

• Experience leading or participating in interdisciplinary teams, with a demonstrated ability to coordinate across programs, agencies, or stakeholder groups.
• Ability to facilitate meetings or workshops, synthesize diverse perspectives, and build consensus on complex or controversial issues.

Equity, Communication, and Outreach

• Demonstrated understanding of equity principles in environmental science, including experience integrating equity considerations into projects.
• Experience conducting public or stakeholder outreach, especially in contexts involving environmental justice or community engagement.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including experience preparing and presenting technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Project Management & Leadership

• Experience managing projects or tasks, including setting timelines, tracking deliverables, and coordinating with team members.
• Evidence of leadership qualities such as initiative, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative, including demonstrated experience identifying tasks, setting priorities, and following through with minimal supervision.

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. and

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other - Cover Letter is required and must be included. Cover letter should describe why you are a good fit for this specific position.   In relation to the duty statement,  please explain and provide examples on how your knowledge and experience directly relate to the job duties

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