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 505396 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Link: CalCareers

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 2/6/2026. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.

The State Water Resources Control Board has one opening for an Environmental Scientist in the Office of Sustainable Groundwater Management. The incumbent will help implement the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). SGMA was enacted to halt groundwater overdraft and bring groundwater basins into balanced levels of pumping and recharge, ideally through local management of groundwater. The Water Board’s implementation of SGMA will involve supporting local, regional, and statewide efforts and may involve limiting pumping, on a temporary basis, where and when found to be warranted. For information on the State Water Resources Control Board's implementation of SGMA, please see the duty statement and visit:

• Program website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/sgma/ 
• Most recent SGMA board hearing: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSep2025  
• Most recent OSGM information item: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeApril2025
• Board racial equity resolution: https://tinyurl.com/2021-0050  
• Principles and strategies related to drinking water wells: https://tinyurl.com/DW-wells 

This position is located at 1001 I St., Sacramento. This position may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule.

Duties: 

The Environmental Scientist (ES) supports the development and implementation of State Water Board intervention actions in groundwater basins subject to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The ES works to evaluate impacts of groundwater pumping on surface water depletions, groundwater quality, and ecosystems dependent on shallow groundwater by evaluating scientific studies and reports and using various software such as GIS. The ES applies knowledge of natural resource and common pool resource management to support development of temporary interim plans for managing groundwater where local management is insufficient. The ES is required to work with a team and sometimes independently, communicate effectively, manage multiple tasks and become proficient in SGMA objectives. Daily proficient utilization of office equipment and the Microsoft Office Suite is required

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

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.

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.