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 525603 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Link: CalCareers

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 8/6/2026. 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.

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to work in a high-profile position to help California communities address water quality issues? Do you enjoy a fast-paced environment with opportunities to innovate and lead positive change? If so, then this is the position for you! Apply today and join our dedicated and driven team.

The State Water Resource Control Board’s Division of Financial Assistance has two openings for an Environmental Scientist in the Loans and Grant Branch, Environmental Section, located at 1001 I Street, 16th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Duties:

Under the close supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist, the Environmental Scientist is expected to:

Prepare, review and process environmental documents (i.e., Notice of Exemptions, Initial Studies, Negative or Mitigated Negative Declarations, Environmental Impact Reports, and associated mitigation monitoring measures) for Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) projects and other funding projects, when the State Water Board is lead or responsible agency under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Conduct site visits/inspections throughout the State to evaluate projects’ significant environmental impacts, confirm compliance with environmental conditions and attend public hearings as necessary. Coordinate, research, and analyze environmental data used in the preparation of biological reports and environmental documents. Ensure funding projects meet the CEQA, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other federal environmental cross-cutting requirements. Coordinate with federal, state, and local governmental agencies to determine the need for additional studies and/or mitigation measures to ensure compliance with CEQA and/or associated federal environmental laws/authorities and initiate consultation if necessary.

Work with environmental consultants and applicants to coordinate the preparation and review of CEQA notices, Initial Studies and Negative and Mitigated Negative Declarations, as appropriate, when the State Water Board is the CEQA lead agency; and file Notices of Exemption, Notices of Completion, and Notices of Determination with the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, State Clearinghouse. Attend project meetings and provide environmental information and guidance to State Water Board staff and project applicants. Prepare Board Items, make presentations or briefings to the State Water Board members. Review and comment on draft environmental documents prepared for SRF projects, and water supply permits to ensure compliance with the CEQA, NEPA and other federal environmental cross-cutting laws/authorities. Work cooperatively with stakeholders (general public, federal, state and local government agencies, tribes and other interested parties) and participate in stakeholder meetings. Develop environmental review clearances; perform field reviews and compliance inspections; and prepare project files and updated databases.

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.