Environmental Scientist (JC-530969)
- California State Water Resources Control Board
- Hybrid (Los Angeles, CA, USA)
- $4,418 - $9,321 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 530969 to locate the job posting and apply.
Link: CalCareers
Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 9/21/2026. 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 passionate about protecting wetlands, riparian habitats, and California’s water quality? This is an exciting opportunity to apply your environmental science expertise to meaningful permitting, compliance, and field work that directly supports heathy ecosystems and communities. Join a collaborative team committed to protecting vital water resources - apply today and help make a lasting environmental impact. The Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening for an Environmental Scientist in the Wetland and Riparian Protection Unit. The position is located at 320 West 4th Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90013.
Duties:
Under the close supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the Environmental Scientist performs critical work in the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification and Waste Discharge Requirements Program. The incumbent reviews dredge or fill permit applications; evaluates California Environmental Quality Act documents, biological surveys, California Rapid Assessment Method assessments, wetland delineations, and mitigation and monitoring proposals; coordinates with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and California Department of Fish and Wildlife; develops permit conditions; drafts enforceable permits or certifications; manages active permits; reviews submitted reports; conducts field inspections; prepares inspection reports; maintains program databases; tracks performance measures; and assists with enforcement actions, as needed.
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.
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.