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 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. E mployees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved 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 . The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Water Rights has two openings for Environmental Scientist in the Supply and Demand Assessment Section. If you enjoy technical water resource data analysis, the development and implementation of new programs, and making collaborative relationships with external partners, this may be the position for you. The positions are located at 1001 I Street, 14th Floor, Sacramento, right in the heart of downtown close to light rail,  Amtrak, and other public transportation options.

Duties:

The positions will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary technical and professional staff to develop water supply models, water demand datasets, and water allocation tools for implementing the water rights priority system in critical watersheds across California.

The complete description of the position duties is provided in the attached Duty Statement.

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: .

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# 25-300-051 & 25-300-052in 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 credential’s 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 specifications.

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:

1. Knowledge or experience using environmental models (e.g., hydrological and hydraulic, water quality, reservoir, etc.).
2. Knowledge or experience of statistical programming languages (e.g., R and Python) for statistical analysis or environmental data analysis.
3. Experience using Geographic Information System (GIS) applications.
4. Working knowledge of California’s water rights system.
5. Experience developing and using collaborative relationships with internal and external customers.? 
6. Experience planning, organizing, and presenting in public outreach events, meetings, workshops, or hearings before decision-making bodies.? 
7. Experience with data management, including experience with Structured query language (SQL), database clients, or other database management systems.
8. Knowledge or experience creating effective data visualizations for broad consumption.
9. Knowledge or experience compiling and interpreting hydrological, meteorological, and other streamflow related data.

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 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 three (3) pages in length, using Arial 12-point font and normal margins.

Instructions:

Your SOQ must address each of the following prompts. Each response must be numbered separately. Applicants should include information related to the desirable qualifications listed above in responding to the SOQ.

1. Describe a California water issue and how you believe improved understanding of watershed-scale water supplies can inform responses to that issue.
2. Describe your knowledge or experience working on environmental projects with large data sets, including any experience using programing languages to aid in your data analysis.
3. Describe your knowledge or experience communicating complex technical information to broad audiences.  

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 work,

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