Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Please note: this is a re-advertisement. If you have previously applied for this vacancy, your application is being considered and you do not need to re-apply.

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 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. E mployees 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.

Are you an environmental scientist looking for a career as a drinking water regulator? Are you looking to contribute to the mission of safe drinking water for all Central Coast California residents? Are you interested in mixture of field and desk work?

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water is recruiting for two (2) new Environmental Scientist positions in the Monterey District office. The Monterey Local Primacy Agency has returned regulatory oversight of 280 small public water systems in Monterey County. This new workload requires the formation of two new district offices. Apply today and join our team of dedicated water professionals.

The position is currently located at 1 Lower Ragsdale Dr., Building 1, Suite 120, Monterey, CA 93940. The office may be relocating in the Monterey area due to office expansion.

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: .

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

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

• RPA# 25-456-023.024 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 jobs.ca.gov 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.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including proficiency in English grammar and ability to communicate complex information in a correct, clear, and concise manner.
• Knowledge of and/or experience related to water quality, drinking water, hydrogeology, and/or Central Coast California water issues.
• Interest in drinking water and applicable regulations.
• Knowledge of and/or experience conducting field investigations. 
• Knowledge and/or experience reviewing and drafting technical reports.
• Ability to build trust and maintain cooperative and collaborative relationships with diverse groups.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with communicating complex, technical information in writing and/or orally in a correct, clear, and concise manner to a variety of audiences, including members of the general public and members of a regulated community/entity.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Able to stay calm and collected in tense situations.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with computer applications (i.e. Microsoft Office, Geographic Information System ( GIS), Google Earth, or other mapping/database tools, etc.). 
• Knowledge and/or experience providing customer service to customers and/or the general public.
• Spanish language fluency.

Benefits

Water Board employees may be eligible for benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees, and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment. and Health Benefits | CalPERS

Statement of Qualifications

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than two (2) pages in length, using 12-point Arial font and normal margins. Provide an example when responding to each of the following prompts.

Applicant must answer the following SOQ questions in the order listed:

1. What interests you about the Environmental Scientist position with the Division of Drinking Water in Monterey, CA?
2. Describe a circumstance(s) in which you have interacted with and provided technical assistance to the public and/or external organizations with sensitivity and respect.
3. Describe your knowledge of and/or experience, if any, in each of the following. Include the number of years of knowledge and/or experience you have, if any, in each of these areas.
   1. drinking water treatment or distribution facilities,
   2. water quality,  
   3. water and/or environmental regulations,
   4. hydrogeology,
   5. report writing,
   6. using computer software, including Microsoft Office, database systems, and mapping tools such as GIS, and
   7. providing customer service to customers and/or members of the public.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated will not be considered.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see below for specific SOQ requirements.
• Other - Cover Letter is required and must be included.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Part time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Relocation,

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