Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Water Rights is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Environmental Scientist to join the Enforcement Special Projects Section, Enforcement Unit 2. This position is located at 1001 I Street in Sacramento on the 14th floor, centrally located downtown with convenient access to light rail and other public transportation. The position involves a hybrid work schedule, including telework, in-office work, and fieldwork.

Duties:

Under the close supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the incumbent will conduct investigations to determine water right compliance and whether enforcement action is necessary. Duties include analyzing water availability and use, reviewing historical records, and interpreting data using tools such as Electronic Water Rights Information Management System (eWRIMS), CalWATRS, ArcGIS Pro, and various data analysis and visualization platforms. Field inspections will involve verifying diversions, inspecting infrastructure, collecting GPS data, taking photographs, and interviewing water users.

The incumbent will document findings in inspection reports and, when necessary, work with legal counsel to develop enforcement actions such as cease and desist orders or administrative civil liability complaints. The incumbent may also serve as an expert witness in hearings before the State Water Board.

The applicants can review 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.

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.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief 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# 24-300-208in 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:

The most competitive candidates will demonstrate:

1. Strong organizational and teamwork skills , including the ability to plan, manage, and work effectively with multidisciplinary staff.
2. Collaboration and communication abilities to build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
3. Knowledge or experience in one or more of the following fields:
   • Environmental or water resource science, policy, or engineering
   • Stream and wetland science
   • Hydrology or hydrogeology
   • Regulatory compliance
4. Familiarity with California water rights, water quality, and environmental laws and regulations .
5. Experience enforcing, interpreting, or implementing environmental laws and regulations , particularly in the context of water rights or resource management.
6. Public outreach and engagement experience , including organizing or participating in workshops, public hearings, and stakeholder events.
7. Ability to present complex data or findings to executive leadership, boards, or public audiences in both private and public settings.
8. Field investigation experience , including data collection, inspections, and on-the-ground environmental assessment work.

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.

Benefit information can be found on the website and the website.

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 12 pt. font , and normal margins.

Statements that appear overly generic, use canned responses, or fail to include specific examples will not be considered responsive. The SOQ should be personally crafted and free from AI-generated content.

1. Describe your interest in this position and explain how your unique combination of knowledge, skills, and experience directly aligns with the main duties listed in the duty statement and the desirable qualifications. Be specific: highlight particular roles, projects, or accomplishments that demonstrate your fit. Generalized responses or restatements of the duty statement will not be considered responsive.
2. Provide a detailed example of a time when you conducted or contributed to an investigation involving data collection and fieldwork. Explain your role, the purpose of the investigation, the tools or methods you used, and the outcome. Responses should focus on your direct experience and clearly demonstrate how you applied your technical and analytical skills in a real-world setting.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated may not be considered.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

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.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see below for specific requirements.
• Other - Cover Letter is required and must be included.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Part time, Work experience placement, Remote job,

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