environmental scientist

Job Description and Duties

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position.

Join us in our mission to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of the San Francisco Bay Region's water resources in our streams and wetlands program.

The San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening for a permanent/full-time Environmental Scientist in our streams and wetlands program of the Watershed Management Division. We offer a flexible work schedule and telework with periodic in-person attendance at the office and for fieldwork. The office is located at 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1400, Oakland, CA 94612.

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 or fill of streams and wetlands for projects in the Northeast Bay 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.

See the attached Duty Statement for further information.

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, § of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience.

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Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:

RPA# 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: .

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: .

Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through 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.

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information ​ New Employee Benefits Orientation Page
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401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)

Offers a voluntary benefit that allows you to contribute to both a 401(k) and a 457(b) plan to enhance your retirement benefit. This allows you to contribute, through payroll deduction, up to twice the amount available to the private sector and most public sector employees. You can contribute on both a pre-tax and an after-tax designated Roth basis that offers you the opportunity to take advantage of tax savings now and in the future.

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Cash In Lieu of Health and/or Dental Benefits (Cash Option)

Allows you to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and/or dental benefits insurance if you have other qualifying medical and/or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent or other source.

​ ​ Common Carrier Travel and Accident Insurance – for Excluded Employees Only

Offers employer-paid accidental death and dismemberment insurance to managers, supervisors and other specified employees who travel on state business.

​ ​ Commute Program

Voluntary benefits that subsidize commuting expenses for eligible employees who commute to and from work using public transportation, vanpools, or bicycles.

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​ Consolidated Benefits (CoBen)

Provides a benefit allowance, rather than specific contribution amounts for health, dental and vision benefits. You may receive additional taxable income each month, depending on the total cost of the benefit plans you choose.

​ ​Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)

Continuation of health, dental, and vision insurance coverage as well as medical reimbursement account for employees and eligible dependents who involuntarily lose coverage.

​ Death Benefits

Benefits available to legal survivors and/or designees of state employees; see "Planning Ahead" handbook.

​Planning Ahead Handbook | ​Dental Benefits

Offers you and your dependents preventive, basic and major dental care coverage through one of several dental plans.

​ Employee Assistance Program

Employer-paid program offers free professional and confidential short-term counseling and referral services to employees and their eligible dependents, as well as valuable information on a variety of topics including financial, legal, and wellness.

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(866) EAP-4SOC TDD California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary Benefit Description​ ​Additional Information

Group Legal Services Insurance
Voluntary, employee-paid plan that provides comprehensive legal coverage designed to meet most common personal legal needs. Available to eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

TDD ​Group Long-Term Disability Insurance – For Excluded Employees Only

Voluntary, employee-paid plan that replaces a portion of the employee's income in the event the employee is unable to work for six months or longer due to a covered illness or injury.

Health Benefits

Offers you and your dependents a broad range of health insurance plans with the state paying a portion of the premium. CalPERS administers this coverage.

CalPERS Health and Wellness

Promotes a work environment that encourages healthy lifestyle choices, decreases the risk of illness and disease and enhances employee effectiveness and well-being.

​ Long-Term Care Program

Offers coverage through CalPERS for a chronic illness, frailty of old age, or a serious accident. Available to all California public employees, retirees, and their eligible family members.

​ ​Part-time, Seasonal, and Temporary Retirement Program

Offers a retirement savings program for part-time, seasonal and temporary employees who are not covered by CalPERS or Social Security.

​ ​ Reimbursement Accounts

Allows you to set pre-taxed money aside in a reimbursement account to pay for certain kinds of medical and dependent care expenses. You can increase your take home pay and decrease your taxable income.

​ ​ Third-Party Pre-Tax Parking Reimbursement Account Program

Allows you to deduct a specific pre-tax amount for work-related parking fees from your pay. Available to employees who drive a personal vehicle to work or to a location from which the employee commutes to work and pays for parking.

​ ​Vision Benefits

Employer-paid benefit that offers you and your dependents an annual eye examination and an allowance for frames and lenses. An enhanced vision plan is also available which provides higher allowances for certain materials and other benefits.

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