Environmental Scientist

To be considered for this position, you must apply at CalCareers.ca.gov. To apply, you must first create a CalCareers account. Once your account is created, you can search for job code 489454 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 9/10/2025. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.

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

The Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

The Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Central Valley Region has an opening for a permanent, full-time Environmental Scientist in the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Compliance and Outreach Unit. The position is located at 11020 Sun Center Dr., Suite #200, Rancho Cordova, CA, 95670.

Duties: 

Under the close supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist of the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program Compliance and Outreach Unit and consistent with good customer service practices and the goals of the State and Regional Board’s Strategic Plan, the incumbent is expected to independently perform professional scientific work to implement the water quality control programs of the Regional Board, to be courteous and provide timely responses to internal/external customers, to follow through on commitments, and to solicit and consider internal/external customer input when completing work assignments.
Applicants should be able to work in an office setting and have the demonstrated ability to evaluate and prepare scientific reports related to water quality, write clear and accurate technical report summaries, and understand the interaction between state and federal law/policy as related to water quality regulation. Applicants should also have the demonstrated ability to clearly communicate and present scientific, policy or technical issues, and have strong collaborative and public participation skills. Other skills include the ability to work independently and within a team setting with other disciplines, good customer service skills, and proficiency in standard computer applications. Applicants should also be able to perform field investigations including traversing uneven terrain in varied topography, ability to work in inclement weather and travel in a vehicle or other mode of transportation for up to ten hours.

Specific Duties may include:

• Identify commercial irrigated lands using GIS computer applications.

• Use progressive enforcement to ensure all commercial irrigated lands are enrolled.

• Ensure all annual reports required by members are turned into their water quality coalitions using enforcement tools.

• Follow up on complaints to determine water quality concerns.

• Conduct on-farm inspections to ensure compliance with waste discharge requirements.

• Provide outreach to the agricultural community and interested stakeholders.
Applicants should have a working knowledge of computer applications (such as ArcGIS, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point).

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.

Job type: Full-Time

$4,269.00 - $8,877.00 per Month

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