Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) (JC-506708)
- California State Water Resources Control Board
- Hybrid (Sacramento, CA, USA)
- $7,820 - $10,932 monthly
Job Description
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 506708 to locate the job posting and apply.
Link: CalCareers
Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 3/15/2026. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.
Job Description and Duties
The Data Modernization and Governance Section (DMGS) is a collaborative team working on technical studies of telemetered water monitoring and supporting data system improvement under the project known as Updating Water Rights Data (UPWARD). DMGS is seeking one Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist (SES Spec) who will be responsible for working with a multi-disciplinary team to develop environmental monitoring studies; conduct advanced data analysis to evaluate large or complex environmental datasets; identify and incorporate relevant information about environmental monitoring, data, policy, and regulations; develop key insights; and develop actionable recommendations for program and policy decisions on environmental data collection and management and on resource management.
This position is located at 1001 I Street, 14th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, right in the heart of downtown next to light rail stations and other public transportation. This position is required by current policy to work in the Sacramento office twice a week and as required by the supervisor. Other work days are eligible for telework, conditional on supervisor approval and are subject to change based on operational needs or department changes.
Duties:
The position requires preparing clear, targeted technical reports and plain language materials on environmental data and environmental management for diverse audiences, including technical staff, management, policymakers, and the public. The SES Spec must work independently, think creatively, communicate effectively, and collaborate with interested parties and interdisciplinary teams to ensure water resource management strategies are informed by accurate and insightful analyses.
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 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.
Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: Recruitment Survey.
Job type: Full-Time
$7,820.00 - $10,732.00 per Month
The Water Resources Control Board is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer.
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Water Boards), collectively known as the California Water Boards (Water Boards), are dedicated to a single vision: abundant clean water for human uses and environmental protection to sustain California's future. Under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) and the state's pioneering Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, the State and Regional Water Boards have regulatory responsibility for protecting the water quality of nearly 1.6 million acres of lakes, 1.3 million acres of bays and estuaries, 211,000 miles of rivers and streams, and about 1,100 miles of exquisite California coastline.
We believe the diversity of our employees and their unique ideas inspire innovative solutions to further our mission to preserve, enhance and restore the quality of California’s water resources. Join the Water Boards and help us protect the environment and public health and ensure proper allocation and efficient use for future generations.
We offer full-time permanent positions, internships (paid and nonpaid), and volunteer opportunities. We also have flexible work schedules. Benefits include health, dental, vision, retirement and much more, and may be eligible on first day of hire.
Mission Statement:
To preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.