Job Posting: SENIOR ENVIROMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

Department of Water Resources

JC-505804
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SENIOR ENVIROMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

$7,820.00 - $10,732.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 2/23/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the direction of the Program Manager III within the Delta Conveyance Office (DCO), the incumbent is responsible for independently conducting and leading complex scientific efforts and project coordination related to Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) activities, including:  1) leading the development and review of environmental documents, 2) collaborating in the refinement, implementation, and maintenance of consultant-developed project environmental compliance tracking tools, plans, and required reporting and 3) advancing organizational efforts through engagement with interested parties to advance project requirements and mitigation.

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-505804
Position #(s):
840-164-0765-001
Working Title:
SENIOR ENVIROMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
Classification:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,820.00 - $10,732.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Executive Division/Delta Conveyance Office, Sacramento

Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California’s water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.

At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department.  Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state’s people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.

DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect.  An important component of DWR’s equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Department Website: https://water.ca.gov/

Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWR’s Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.

 

Special Requirements

Knowledge and experience with public and interested party outreach and communication, knowledge and experience with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation requirements, State and federal permitting processes, biological and ecological principles, endangered species issues, and State, federal and local legislative/governmental processes. 

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: 2/23/2026

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:

Department of Water Resources
Mailing Address
Attn: Division of Human Resources
P.O. Box 1079
Sacramento, CA 95812

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Water Resources
Submit in Person
Certification Desk
715 P Street, 7th floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 04:30 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.
  • Other - Cover Letter
  • Statement of Qualifications - See Special Instructions for additional details.
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:
 

Experience supporting or participating in environmental document development, environmental compliance activities, or related project documentation is valued for this position. Exposure to permitting, mitigation, monitoring, or reporting processes under State or Federal environmental requirements is helpful in performing the work.

 

Experience contributing to environmental commitments tracking, such as supporting mitigation measures, compliance actions, reporting requirements, or related coordination is beneficial. This may include working with documents, data, tools, or processes that support environmental compliance and project implementation.

 

The position also benefits from experience working with internal and external partners to support project requirements, coordination, or mitigation-related efforts, including collaboration with regulatory agencies, Tribal Governments, community organizations, consultants, or multidisciplinary teams.

 

This role involves identifying priorities, anticipating issues, and supporting timely follow-through while working across evolving program needs. Applicants who are interested in working with a high degree of autonomy, taking ownership of their work, and developing their analytical judgment while adapting to changing priorities in a dynamic project environment are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

 

At the Department of Water Resources (DWR), we offer continuous professional development, excellent health and retirement benefits, and a collaborative work environment dedicated to public service and sustainability.


This position is an opportunity to contribute to the Delta Conveyance Project— one of California’s most significant and closely reviewed environmental infrastructure efforts. Staff in the Delta Conveyance Office have direct access to technical experts, senior and executive managers, and interagency partners, and are supported in continuous learning, collaboration, and career advancement.

 

The incumbent will collaborate directly with no less than three environmental managers—each leading distinct aspects of the Delta Conveyance Project’s environmental program—and coordinate weekly with a small, highly engaged team that includes attorneys and the Office Manager. This structure provides exceptional exposure to the full range of environmental functions within the Delta Conveyance Project and offers a unique professional growth opportunity for those who excel in complex and interdisciplinary environments.

Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate & hours earned were negotiated & agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit &/or federal & state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR

Contact Information

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

Hiring Unit Contact:
William Hanley
(916) 820-7705
william.hanley@water.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:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 653-6952
civilrights@water.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.

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), cover letter, resume, and Statement of Qualifications.  Please reference SAP Position # 50096724 and Job Control #JC-505804 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

 

The SOQ should be typewritten in Arial 12 font, single spaced, no more that two pages in length and should describe your background and experience in relation to the following areas: 

 

  1. Environmental Documentation and Engagement – Experience supporting or participating in the development and review of environmental documents under CEQA/NEPA. Include any experience with engagement activities such as consultation tracking, cultural resource coordination, or related mitigation efforts.
  2. Tracking Environmental Commitments, Plans, and Reporting Requirements – Experience planning compensatory mitigation, implementing or tracking environmental commitments and mitigation measures required under State or Federal authorizations, including but not limited to Incidental Take Permits, or Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Programs. Include any experience using or refining software or databases to document compliance.
  3. Community and Public Engagement – Experience planning or supporting outreach, engagement, or partnership-building activities related to environmental programs, and ability to communicate effectively with community organizations or the public.
  4. Analytical Judgment and Independent Decision-Making – Experience evaluating information, developing or justifying recommendations, and documenting reasoning or process decisions in a regulatory or technical setting.
  5. Breadth and Adaptability Across Environmental Programs – Experience working across multiple environmental program areas with differing priorities or managers, and ability to adapt to changing circumstances while maintaining accuracy and accountability.

The follow basis of eligibility will be considered:  List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, SROA/Surplus, and training and development assignment.

 

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.


Click here to complete DWR’s Recruitment Survey. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.

Examination/Assessment

For more information about the State hiring process, click here. To learn more about how to get a State job, click here.

 

List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.

 

Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link:


 

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