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.
If you are interested in meaningful work to protect California's surface and groundwaters then apply today and join our team! The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board is recruiting for a full-time, permanent, Environmental Scientist in its Forestry-Dredge and Fill Unit (FDF) in the South Lake Tahoe office, located at 2501 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. The Lahontan Region covers 24% of the State of California, from the Oregon border to the Mojave Desert, and from the crest of the Sierra Nevada east to the Nevada border. The FDF is responsible for implementing the Forestry Activities Program and the Dredge and Fill Program throughout the Lahontan region.
Duties: Under close supervision of a Senior Water Resource Control Engineer in the Forestry/Dredge & Fill Unit, the Environmental Scientist will work with technical and administrative staff in both the South Lake Tahoe and Victorville Offices. Consistent with good customer service practices and the goals of the State and Regional Water Board's Strategic Plan, the incumbent is expected to be courteous and to provide timely responses to internal and external customers, to follow through on commitments, and to solicit and consider internal and external customer input when completing work assignments.

The incumbent will apply scientific methods and principles necessary for the protection of water quality within the Lahontan Region. Responsibilities will include such activities as drafting permits, providing technical expertise, evaluating and assisting in the drafting of environmental documents, making policy recommendations, and performing sensitive assignments related to water quality issues and protection throughout the Lahontan Region. Evaluate and regulate the impacts of logging operations and other forest practices on the quality and beneficial uses of water. Coordinate with the federal land management agencies (US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in reviewing Timber Harvest Plans (THPs), Working Forest Management Plans (WFMPs), Non-Industrial Timber Management Plans (NTMPs), utility corridor vegetation management plans, and timber harvest exemptions.

Review and regulate proposed projects that may affect water quality of waters of the state to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (Basin Plan), Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA), and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Conduct fieldwork related to natural resource management and site assessments and investigations, including use of GIS and water quality sampling, data collection, and determinations of wetlands and sensitive water bodies. Prepare CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certifications and/or Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for project compliance with regulatory requirements. Permits may be developed for a variety of project types, including but not limited to, construction projects, bridges, piers, grading operations, utility corridor vegetation management, aquatic habitat restoration, marina dredging, invasive species removal, riparian enhancement, and enforcement related requirements. Work with a variety of stakeholders and partners to address California wildfires and forest resiliency approaches. Write reports and prepare Power Point presentations and present to a variety of audiences.

The applicants can review the Duty Statement attached.
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# ******** 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:
Water Quality Sampling and/or Regulation Experience. Effectively communicating complex technical findings and recommendations in reports and by oral presentation. Experience conducting outreach and engaging stakeholders. Experience interpreting laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently while handling multiple assignments. Understanding of Wetland and/or Stream Ecosystem Functions and Determination Criteria. Forest Management Experience. Fieldwork Experience in Natural Resource Management. Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
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. Statement of Qualifications A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and other required documents, and serves as documentation of candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than four (4) pages in length, using Arial size 12 pt. font , and normal margins.
On your Statement of Qualifications, consider each of the following "Desirable Qualifications" and describe your experience, knowledge, and abilities as they relate to each Desirable Qualification. Address each Desirable Qualification by number in the same order as listed. Provide multiple specific examples for each Desirable Qualification factor. Indicate your total years of experience when answering the following statements/questions:
Water Quality Sampling and/or Regulation Experience. Effectively communicating complex technical findings and recommendations in reports and by oral presentation. Experience conducting outreach and engaging stakeholders. Experience interpreting laws, rules, and regulations. Ability to work collaboratively as well as independently while handling multiple assignments. Understanding of Wetland and/or Stream Ecosystem Functions and Determination Criteria. Forest Management Experience. Fieldwork Experience in Natural Resource Management. Applications received without the SOQ addressed a s stated may 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 requirements. Other - Cover Letter is required and must be included.