Job Posting: Student Assistant (E&A)

State Water Resources Control Board

JC-508819
-
Student Assistant (E&A)
STUDENT ASSISTANT -ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCES-

$3,167.00 - $4,881.00 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: 3/10/2026

Job Description and Duties

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

Please note: this position is paid on an hourly basis and limited to 1500 hours in a rolling year.  The salary range for Student Assistant (E&A) is $18.27 - $24.62 per hour.  

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water is recruiting for a Student Assistant (Engineering & Architectural Sciences) to work in the Field Operations Branch in the Santa Ana District. The position is located at 2 MacArthur Pl., Santa Ana, CA 92707

Duties: Assist staff in the use, development, and maintenance of various information management systems to include enhancements to the public and internal versions of Drinking Water Watch (DWW), document uploads to the Water Boards’ Paperless Office, an electronic content management (ECM) system, to be viewed on DWW, enforce ECM indexing rules to ensure permit and enforcement documents are reported accurately to the monthly Executive report, and create visualizations of water system and water quality data using Microsoft Power BI.

Navigate various computer databases to track water quality sampling and reporting compliance.  Prepare and maintain various suitable databases to track the water quality monitoring reports received including ability to generate a list of systems that are due for various monitoring.  Generate chemical monitoring schedules for public water systems on a routine basis using the Water Quality Inquiry scheduler.  Assist with preparation of periodic and special reports of water quality data as needed to assist in determining water system compliance.

Assist staff with the review and processing of bacteriological data for public water systems and the determination of compliance with bacteriological drinking water standards and monitoring and reporting requirements. Prepare correspondence and enforcement actions for bacteriological water quality and procedural violations for review by the Senior Sanitary Engineer.  Follow up on enforcement action directives until compliance is achieved.

Assist staff with the review of plans and specifications for water main/sewer/recycled water distribution system piping to ensure that the pipelines meet the minimum separation requirements per CCR, Title 22, section 64572 or suitable alternative that is protective of public health. 

Draft simple letters, enforcement letters, and citations for the Senior Sanitary Engineer’s review and signature. Help track compliance dates and take necessary follow-up action to ensure public water systems comply with directives of the Division of Drinking Water.

Assist in reviewing and summarizing technical articles, library research, and the collection and transportation of water quality samples.

File, make photocopies, answer phone calls, open mail, answer doorbell, and assist in conducting mass mail-outs to water systems.

Performs other job-related duties as required.

 

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

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 a 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.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-508819
Position #(s):
880-461-4871-903
Working Title:
Student Assistant (E&A)
Classification:
STUDENT ASSISTANT -ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCES-
$3,167.00 - $3,598.00 A
$3,402.00 - $3,858.00 B
$3,661.00 - $4,153.00 C
$3,806.00 - $4,322.00 D
$3,951.00 - $4,488.00 E
$4,112.00 - $4,665.00 F
$4,298.00 - $4,881.00 G
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:
Orange County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Student Assistant

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

  • RPA# 25-461-002 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
  • Photocopies of Transcripts (unofficial okay).

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: 3/10/2026

Who May Apply

This is a non-testing classification, therefore anyone meeting the minimum qualifications listed on the classification specification may apply for this position. Individuals who are, or have been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, or a formerly incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 18220 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority. If you are applying under this eligibility status, please note on your application your eligibility by stating “preference under Government Code section 18220”. Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories will be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility.

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 / Aja Marsh
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 / Aja Marsh
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:

Knowledge of arithmetic and elementary principles of algebra and geometry and their application to engineering, architecture, or landscape architecture; drafting procedure and equipment; programming and databases.

Ability to apply engineering classroom instruction to work situations; follow oral and written instructions and learn operating procedures and methods; satisfactorily carry out increasingly difficult assignments; do neat and accurate work; establish and maintain friendly and cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of the work.

Willingness, as a learner, to do routine or detailed work in order to learn practical techniques, aptitude for engineering, architecture or landscape architectural work.

Knowledge and experience working in design, construction, plan review, inspection, and report preparation related to domestic water systems, and familiarity with drinking water regulations. Effective communication skills (written and verbal), good interpersonal skills, the ability to conduct field investigations, perform engineering evaluations, work independently, organize and set priorities on assignments and meet deadlines.  Work experience with computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Access, and Excel. 

Benefits

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:
Aja Marsh
(916) 322-9958
aja.marsh@waterboards.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Oliver Pacifico
(714) 558-4997
oliver.pacifico@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 12-point Arial font, and normal margins.

The SOQ must address each of the following questions or topics listed below in the order presented. 

  1. What interests you about this position?
  2. Describe your knowledge and work experience, if any, with respect to water quality sampling and reporting, water regulatory work and/or public water systems.
  3. Describe your knowledge of quality customer service principles and your ability to ensure accurate and timely responses.
  4. Describe your experience with business processes, streamlining work activities, organizational skills, and increased productivity.
  5. Describe your ability to develop and maintain cooperative and collaborative relationships.
  6. Describe your familiarity with information management systems, data analytics, programming languages, databases, and graphical user interfaces.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated may not be considered.

For guidance on writing effective SOQs, visit: Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethically. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

Student Assistant (Engineering & Architectural Sciences) Additional Information

This is a non-testing classification, therefore anyone meeting the minimum qualifications listed on the classification specification may apply for this position.

Individuals who are, or have been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, or a formerly incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 18220 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority. If you are applying under this eligibility status, please note on your application your eligibility by stating “preference under Government Code section 18220. Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories will be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility.

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