Environmental Scientist; JC-

Overview

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Water Rights has an opening for one (1) Environmental Scientist position in the Public Trust Unit of the Bay-Delta Section. The position is located at 1001 I Street, 14th Floor, Sacramento, California 95814.

Under the close supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor), the incumbent will work collaboratively with other members of the Public Trust Unit to support the Bay-Delta Section’s efforts to protect public trust resources and other beneficial uses of water in the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary (Bay-Delta) watershed. The incumbent will develop, evaluate, and implement flow, water quality and related requirements in the Bay-Delta and its tributaries, and develop related plans, policies, and regulations.

The incumbent will administer the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as it relates to State Water Board actions on water resources development projects, including projects of statewide significance. The incumbent will represent the State Water Board and coordinate with governmental agencies, water users, and other interested parties on instream flow and related efforts to protect public trust resources and beneficial uses of water.

The incumbent will coordinate with other related State Water Board and Regional Water Quality Control Board staff and programs to ensure consistent and appropriate development and implementation of flow, water quality, and related requirements. Knowledge of scientific disciplines related to water resources management such as aquatic ecology, fisheries biology, hydrology, water quality, or related fields is required.

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

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 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.

Job type:
Full-Time

The Water Resources Control Board is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer.