ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

The State Water Resources Control Board is hiring an Environmental Scientist for the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program in California. This role involves enhancing laboratory capabilities to ensure effective environmental monitoring and protection. Candidates should have integrity, initiative, and good judgment. The position may allow for telework based on operational needs, offering a unique opportunity within a supportive team. Salary ranges from $4,269 to $8,877 depending on classification.
Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position.

Are you looking for an exciting and fulfilling career that is instrumental in the protection of the environment? The State of California is seeking a dedicated Environmental Scientist to join our dynamic team as a laboratory assessor. You will drive the enhancement of laboratory capabilities throughout the state, directly influencing the quality and reliability of environmental monitoring and protection. We offer a unique opportunity to apply your scientific expertise within a supportive and innovative team, dedicated to excellence and continuous improvement. Apply today and join us.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water has an opening for an Environmental Scientist in the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) of the Division of Drinking Water’s (DDW) Program Management Branch. The position may be filled at one of the following DDW’s Field Office locations:
• Redding – 364 Knollcrest Drive, Suite 101, Redding, CA 96002.
• Sacramento – 1001 I Street, 17th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.
• Santa Rosa – 50 D Street, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.
• Richmond – 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Building P, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804.
• Monterey – 1 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Building 1, Suite 120, Monterey, CA 93940.
• Lodi – 3021 Reynolds Ranch Parkway, Suite 260, Lodi, CA 95240.
• Fresno – 265 West Bullard Avenue, Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93704.
• Carpinteria – 11809 Eugenia Place, Suite 200, Carpinteria, CA 93013.
• Bakersfield – 4925 Commerce Drive, Suite 120, Bakersfield, CA 93309.
• Glendale – 500 North Central Avenue, Suite 500, Glendale, CA 91203.
• Santa Ana – 2 MacArthur Place, Suite 150, Santa Ana, CA 92707.
• San Bernardino – 464 West 4th Street, Room 437, San Bernardino, CA 92401.
• San Diego – 2375 Northside Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108.

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.

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.

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.

Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents
• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-473123

Position #(s):

880-402-0762-011

Working Title:

Environmental Scientist

Classification:

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,269.00 - $5,748.00 A

$5,188.00 - $7,000.00 B

$6,566.00 - $8,877.00 C

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

United States

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Facility:

State Water Resources Control Board

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

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:
• RPA# 24-402-050 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
• Photocopies of degree and official transcripts (if needed to establish eligibility).

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=1709.

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.

Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through jobs.ca.gov is preferred. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD. 678), including work experience, dates, hours worked, contact names and phone numbers of supervisors on the state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD. 678 may be disqualified.

In the hiring interview, the panel will consider education, experience, personal development, personal traits and fitness for the job. In appraising experience, more weight may be given to the breadth of pertinent experience and evidence of the candidate's ability to accept and fulfill increasing responsibilities than to the length of his/her experience. For additional information, you may refer to the class specification.

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: 4/28/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

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 Branch - Alexandra Ruiloba-Olah

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

Human Resources Branch - Alexandra Ruiloba-Olah

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 SOQ 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 and/or experience with the fundamentals of a variety of scientific disciplines, general scientific concepts, and basic research principles. Knowledge of and/or experience with California Drinking Water related statues and regulations. Strong written and oral communication skills, strong organizational skills, and ability to work independently and as a team with colleagues. Knowledge and/or experience with Microsoft computer software. Ability to organize and set priorities on assignments and meet deadlines. Excellent customer service skills.

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
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:
Alexandra Ruiloba-Olah
(916) 341-5010
alexandra.ruiloba-olah@waterboards.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Maria Friedman
(818) 551-2014
maria.friedman@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

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 Arial size 12 font, and normal margins.

Please respond to the following statements/questions:

1. How many years of knowledge and/or experience do you have working in a commercial or governmental environmental testing laboratory? Describe your knowledge and/or experience and role(s).

2. How many years of knowledge and/or experience do you have writing quality manuals or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for commercial or governmental environmental testing laboratories? Describe the documents involved.

3. How many years of knowledge and/or experience do you have with laboratory sample testing using published methods from the Environmental Protection Agency, Standard Methods, American Society for Testing and Materials, or other Voluntary Standards Consensus Body? Describe your knowledge and/or experience and role(s), including a description of the methods involved (including method number, where applicable).

4. How many years of knowledge and/or experience do you have with public speaking or interacting with the public in a professional or academic setting? Describe the nature of your knowledge and/or experience.

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

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

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.