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 530401 to locate the job posting and apply.
Link: CalCareers
Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 10/1/2026. 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 a fulfilling career in the protection of natural resources? If you enjoy working in the scientific field and are interested in expanding your knowledge of and experience with water resource protection, then this may be the position for you! Apply today and join our team. The State Water Resources Control Board’s Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening for a Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist. The position is located at 73-720 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 100, Palm Desert, CA 92260.
Duties:
The Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) uses scientific expertise and project management skills to perform water quality analysis in assigned areas of responsibility. The Specialist also oversees the cases, tracking discharger progress toward achieving compliance with the stipulated requirements. Works cooperatively with and is responsive to federal, state, and local governmental agencies and the public.
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.
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
$7,820.00 – $10,732.00 per Month
The Water Resources Control Board is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer.
