SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)

State of California•Sacramento, CA

49d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Laboratory Director, this position provides expert technical oversight for water quality and environmental data management within the Department of Water Resources. The incumbent serves as the subject matter expert for the environmental database and laboratory information management system, ensuring data accuracy, integrity, security, and compatibility with evolving scientific and technical standards. The role supports complex water quality monitoring studies, laboratory analyses, and quality assurance efforts, working closely with laboratory staff, environmental scientists, and the Quality Management Section to resolve data issues and ensure reliable reporting. The position also functions as the water quality data steward for the Water Data Library, coordinating statewide and national data sharing, ensuring efficient dissemination of DWR water quality information. Additional responsibilities include advising on system improvements, supporting department-wide data management initiatives, directing technical investigations, preparing scientific reports, guiding junior staff, and completing special projects as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of scientific principles and methods of water quality and environmental data collection, handling, and management, laboratory analytical procedures, water quality chemistry, aquatic biology, and related technical expertise for field and laboratory data collection and processing, such as complex data process control and management of datasets and systems using MS Access, Excel, SQL Server, and additional software as needed.
Incumbent must possess a valid California driver's license to drive to various meetings.
All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated experience using environmental data management systems and designing or supporting databases that store field sampling data or analytical chemistry results.
Proven track record in implementing and managing database backup, recovery, and archiving strategies, as well as designing or implementing data validation rules, automated quality control checks, and scientific review workflows to ensure data integrity.
Strong understanding of laboratory analytical methods related to water quality, including chemistry, biology, and environmental testing, is essential, along with experience ensuring laboratory analyses meet data quality and regulatory standards.
Proficient in implementing or overseeing QA/QC protocols for environmental or laboratory data and applying scientific principles to enhance database and data management processes.
Experience in preparing, reviewing, and presenting scientific or technical reports, and maintaining documentation supporting environmental data integrity, is highly desirable.
Experience providing guidance, training, or direction to junior staff or project teams, the ability to work independently, and a demonstrated capacity to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications is also required.

Responsibilities

Provides expert technical oversight for water quality and environmental data management.
Serves as the subject matter expert for the environmental database and laboratory information management system.
Supports complex water quality monitoring studies, laboratory analyses, and quality assurance efforts.
Functions as the water quality data steward for the Water Data Library, coordinating statewide and national data sharing.
Advises on system improvements and supports department-wide data management initiatives.
Directs technical investigations and prepares scientific reports.
Guides junior staff and completes special projects as assigned.