Environmental Scientist

The California State Water Resources Control Board is hiring an Environmental Scientist for the Irrigated Lands Program in San Luis Obispo, CA. The role involves managing cases related to water resource protection and requires independent work, effective communication, and project management skills. While the position may allow for telework, in-person attendance is required based on operational needs. Candidates must reside in California upon appointment.
Job Description and Duties

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 in accordance with the Executive Order (EO) 22-25.

The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening for an Environmental Scientist in the Irrigated Lands Program. Join us to help protect and restore water resources from impacts associated with discharges from irrigated agricultural land. The position is located at 895 Aerovista Place, Suite 101, San Luis Obispo, California.

Duties:

The Environmental Scientist is responsible for providing timely, technical, and professional case management involving the assessment, investigation, and/or cleanup of assigned cases in the Irrigated Lands Program. The Environmental Scientist is required to work independently, communicate effectively, manage multiple projects and tasks, and regularly develop technical and project management skills. Proficient utilization of office equipment and the Microsoft Office suite is required daily. Field work outside the office may also be required at times.

Under the close supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist, the incumbent will perform a varied and broad range of scientific, project management, regulatory compliance and enforcement, research, and field investigation assignments.

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.

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.

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 4/5/2026. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.