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 513574 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Link: CalCareers

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 4/22/2026. 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.

This position is entitled to a $250.00 pay differential per month based on Bargaining Unit and/or work location.

Are you passionate about protecting creeks, wetlands, and San Francisco Bay, and working collaboratively on issues like climate change adaptation and creek and tidal marsh restoration? The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening for an Environmental Scientist in the Watershed Management Division’s North Bay and Enforcement Wetland Protection Section.

The office is located at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400, Oakland, CA 94612, near BART and other public transportation, restaurants, and more.

Duties:

The incumbent will review applications and reports for Water Quality Certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, and Reports of Waste Discharge under the Porter-Cologne Act related to dredge and fill of streams, and wetlands for projects in the North Bay and Enforcement Wetland Protection section of the Watershed Management Division. Using scientific and regulatory skills, the incumbent will review applications for impacts avoidance and minimization to beneficial uses of streams and wetlands; review and interpret stormwater management plans, hydrologic data, hydraulic modeling data, rainfall data, climate data, existing land uses and ambient water quality and biological resources data, to determine if the applications are complete; review the adequacy of compensatory mitigation; conduct site inspections; write Certifications; and draft Orders for Board consideration.

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.