ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

State of California•Sacramento, CA

42d•Hybrid

About The Position

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify. 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. 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. Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to work in a high-profile position to help California communities address water quality issues? Do you enjoy a fast-paced environment with opportunities to innovate and lead positive change? If so, then this is the position for you! Apply today and join our dedicated and driven team. The State Water Resource Control Board's Division of Financial Assistance has an opening for an Environmental Scientist in the Loans and Grant Branch, Drinking Water Environmental Review Unit, located at 1001 I Street, 16th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. Duties: Under the close supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the incumbent is expected to: Prepare, review and process environmental documents (i.e., Notice of Exemptions, Initial Studies, Negative or Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, and associated mitigation monitoring measures) for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) projects and other funding projects, when the State Water Board is lead or responsible agency under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Ensure funding projects meet the CEQA, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal environmental cross-cutting requirements. Attend project meetings and provide environmental information and guidance to State Water Board staff and project applicants. Work cooperatively with stakeholders (general public, federal, state and local government agencies, tribes and other interested parties), and participate in stakeholder meetings. Develop environmental review clearances; perform field reviews and compliance inspections; and prepare project files and updated databases. See additional duties in duty statement. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Requirements

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=4286.
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.

Nice To Haves

Customer service experience.
Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to make effective presentations.
Ability to research and analyze environmental information to prepare environmental documents, e.g., CEQA and biological reports.
Ability to evaluate state and federal environmental laws and regulations and coordinate with various state and federal agencies (i.e., Safe Drinking Water Act, Clean Air Act, federal Endangered Species Act, Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, etc.).
Ability to work independently, as well as cooperatively and productively in a team atmosphere with colleagues having different disciplinary backgrounds.
Ability to organize, set priorities on assignments, and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

Prepare, review and process environmental documents (i.e., Notice of Exemptions, Initial Studies, Negative or Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, and associated mitigation monitoring measures) for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) projects and other funding projects, when the State Water Board is lead or responsible agency under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Ensure funding projects meet the CEQA, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal environmental cross-cutting requirements.
Attend project meetings and provide environmental information and guidance to State Water Board staff and project applicants.
Work cooperatively with stakeholders (general public, federal, state and local government agencies, tribes and other interested parties), and participate in stakeholder meetings.
Develop environmental review clearances; perform field reviews and compliance inspections; and prepare project files and updated databases.
See additional duties in duty statement.

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.
https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx and Health Benefits | CalPERS

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