Environmental Scientist (JC-529129)

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 529129 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Link: CalCareers

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 9/4/2026. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.

Job Description and Duties

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

Are you interested in joining our team and protecting important watersheds, beneficial uses of water and critical wetland, stream and river habitats in Northern California? Do you have an interest in applying your education and experience as an Environmental Scientist in identifying waters of the state, analyzing projects and maintaining regulatory requirements through permitting and enforcement to protect water quality? If so, then this job may be for you. The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board is looking for the right person to help promote our vision statement: Healthy Watersheds, Effective Regulation, Strong Partnerships.

The North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s Southern Nonpoint Source and 401 Certification Unit in the Nonpoint Source & Surface Water Protection Division has an opening for an Environmental Scientist. The position is based in Sonoma County at 5550 Skylane Blvd. Ste A, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 with available free parking and within 1.5 miles of the local Sonoma Marin Area Rapid Transit (SMART) train station. A flexible schedule and partial teleworking are negotiable for this position.

Duties: 

This Environmental Scientist (ES) position will work exclusively on Caltrans and Caltrans-related projects. The ES is responsible for: review of permit applications and proposed actions; verification of wetland and waters delineations and making jurisdictional determinations; drafting permits, letters and notices; and investigating complaints and implementing enforcement actions, by phone, e-mail, mail, Teams, and in person. The ES is required to work independently, check in regularly with their Supervisor, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks, and become proficient in and comply with all Surface Water Protection Unit duties and responsibilities. Although the position is supervised by the Senior Environmental Scientist for the Southern Surface Water Protection Unit, the staff may be responsible for conducting duties across the entire North Coast Region.

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.

In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.  Proof of residency may be required.

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.

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.

Job type: Full-Time

$4,418.00 - $9,321.00 per Month

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