Job Posting: Environmental Scientist

State Water Resources Control Board

JC-461675
-
Environmental Scientist
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,269.00 - $8,877.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 2/3/2025

Job Description and Duties

Currently, this position is eligible to operate under a hybrid telework plan of no fewer than two days in the office and three days of telework. The initial training period for this position will require the candidate to work 100% in the office.

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Board) provides regulatory oversight of a wide variety of activities that pose a threat to the quality of the region’s surface and ground water. The Board’s Redding office has a tight-knit management team and highly capable staff that together aim to influence practices and policies statewide.

We are looking for a motivated candidate to fill a staff Environmental Scientist (ES) position responsible for providing regulatory oversight of challenging cannabis cultivation activities in the Cannabis Regulatory Unit. The incumbent will perform staff level activities associated with the evaluation, inspection, and regulation of cannabis cultivation activities to integrate environmental and watershed management values to ensure cannabis cultivation activities meet the goals of achieving and maintaining high quality waters for the benefit of current and future generations. The incumbent will successfully work with a variety of parties from diverse backgrounds and education, including engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, scientific aids, clerical staff, managers, and legal counsel.

The position is located at 364 Knollcrest Dr. Ste 205, Redding, CA 96002.

Under the close supervision of the Senior Engineering Geologist, the incumbent will participate in the following components of the Cannabis Regulatory Program:

  • Enforcement
  • Permitting/permit compliance
  • Outreach

Duties Include: Reviewing technical documents including results of impact investigations, conducting inspections, assessing potential impacts to the beneficial uses of water quality from cannabis cultivation activities and developing recommendations for management measures to be implemented, drafting correspondence and waste discharge requirements, responding to related inquiries, conducting sampling/monitoring and participating in meetings with representatives of governmental agencies and regulated dischargers and the public. Using best professional judgment to assure that cannabis cultivation activities are being performed in a manner that will avoid negatively effecting sensitive beneficial uses of water quality such as anadromous salmonid habitat and domestic water supply. Make presentations to interested parties, agencies, local government representatives and the Regional Water Board. Provide technical assistance to agencies and the public to improve project implementation for water quality benefits. The position requires the exercise of professional judgment in performance of duties and the preparation of written and oral reports for staff managers, other agencies, responsible parties, and the Regional Water Board. See Duty Statement for specific job duties.

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.

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

Recruitment Survey.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-461675
Position #(s):
880-157-0762-027
Working Title:
Environmental Scientist
Classification:
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST
$4,269.00 - $5,748.00 A
$5,188.00 - $7,000.00 B
$6,566.00 - $8,877.00 C
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Shasta County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
State Water Resources Control Board

Department Information

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the nine (9) Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) (collectively the Water Boards) work 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.

The Water Boards value diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission 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. Join the Water Boards to improve the lives of all Californians.

Department Website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:

  • RPA# 24-157-037 in 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:  https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1709.

 

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: https://www.naces.org/members.

 

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.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 2/3/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

State Water Resources Control Board
Attn: Human Resources Branch - Jennifer Fiederer-Luna
1001 I Street, 18th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

State Water Resources Control Board
Attn: Human Resources Branch - Jennifer Fiederer-Luna
1001 I Street, 18th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:


Applicants should have:

  1. Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
  2. Experience in and ability to conduct physically demanding field investigations during all weather conditions that may exceed eight (8) hours in a day.
  3. Experience in environmental investigations including fate and transport of chemicals.
  4. Knowledge or experience of water quality issues.
  5. Customer service or public interface experience.
  6. Experience working with a multi-disciplinary, multi-agency professional team.
  7. Interagency coordination experience.
  8. An understanding of environmental regulation.
  9. Knowledge or experience with cannabis operations/regulations.
  10. Experience in site assessment.
  11. Fieldwork or sampling experience.
  12. Ability to organize and set priorities on assignments and meet deadlines.


Applicant must also have the ability to work both in a team environment and independently; effective communication skills; good organizational and interpersonal skills; data analysis experience; technical writing experience; and a working knowledge of and/or training or experience with computer applications (such as GPS, ArcGIS, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Power Point).


Candidates that do not have all Desirable Qualifications are still encouraged to apply.

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 CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Jennifer Fiederer-Luna
(916) 341-5018
jennifer.fiederer-luna@waterboards.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Jason Schroeder
(530) 224-4788
jason.schroeder@waterboards.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Shyla Hoffman
(916) 341-5881
shyla.hoffman@waterboards.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

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 11 pt Arial font, and normal margins.

Your SOQ must provide the following:

1.    A summary of your interest in this specific position, and the knowledge, abilities, and experiences that make you uniquely qualified based on the job duties (see attached Duty Statement) and the desirable qualifications listed above.

2.    A description of your experience with and knowledge of environmental impacts associated with cannabis cultivation activities or similar land disturbing activities, including impacts to natural resources including water quality.

3.    A description of your experience establishing effective relationships with diverse groups to achieve cooperation and collaboration.

 

Candidates who do not meet every Desirable Qualification are still encouraged to apply and submit an SOQ.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job