ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Job Posting: Environmental Permitting and Compliance Scientist

Department of Water Resources

JC-527197

• Environmental Permitting and Compliance Scientist

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,418.00 - $9,321.00 per Month

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/8/2026

Application Methods:

Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)

By Mail

Drop-off

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Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in helping protect California's vital water resources from future risk? The Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) is an essential climate adaptation strategy, as it protects against future water supply losses caused by climate change, sea level rise, and earthquakes.

We are looking for a highly motivated, creative team-player to join the DCP team of multi-disciplined environmental professionals responsible for providing a wide range of regulatory compliance and scientific services to support management of California's water resources. As a member of the Compliance, Permitting, and Mitigation (CPM) Unit, you will work on addressing some of the most complex and challenging environmental issues facing DWR and the State of California. You will be responsible for developing, reviewing, tracking, organizing, and monitoring draft documents; and assisting in the planning, monitoring, research, and coordination of DCP related activities.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-527197

Position #(s):

840-325-0762-006

Working Title:

Environmental Permitting and Compliance Scientist

Classification:

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,418.00 - $6,035.00 A

$5,370.00 - $7,350.00 B

$6,796.00 - $9,321.00 C

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Yolo County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Division of Integrated Science and Engineering

Environmental Services Branch

CEQA & NEPA Support Section

Compliance, Permitting, and Mitigation Unit

West Sacramento

Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California's water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.

At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department. Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state's people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.

DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect. An important component of DWR's equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Department Website: https://water.ca.gov/

Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWR's Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.

Special Requirements

A valid California driver's license is required to drive to various field locations and meetings.

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and are free from discrimination.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 9/8/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Water Resources

Mailing Address

Attn: Division of Human Resources

P.O. Box 1079

Sacramento, CA 95812

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Water Resources

Submit in Person

Certification Desk

715 P Street, 7th floor

Sacramento, CA 95814

08:00 AM - 04:30 PM

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
• Other - Cover Letter
• Other - See Supplemental Questionnaire information under Special Instructions below.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:

The successful candidate must be willing to learn, exercise good judgement, and work in a multi-disciplined collaborative environment. Incumbent must have excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to complete tasks and projects with short notice, adapt to changes in priorities, and work cooperatively with all levels of DWR staff including Executive Management and project consultants. We are seeking candidates with knowledge of Delta ecology, CA water issues, regional species of concern, habitat restoration, California Environmental Quality Act, California and Federal Endangered Species Acts, and other environmental compliance/permitting process along with experience working with the public and other interested parties.

Benefits

DWR employees are eligible for a number of 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, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees' wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

Some added benefits DWR offers eligible employees at this location include:

Flexible Work Hours

Free Parking

Telework Opportunities

Health, Dental & Vision Benefits

Paid Sick & Vacation

Retirement

Basic Group Term Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

11 Paid Holidays

401(k) & 457 plans

Student Loan Forgiveness

Long Term Care

Group Legal Services

We are located in West Sacramento right off Highway 50 close to shopping, grocery stores and restaurants. Our site offers electric vehicle charging and is within walking distance of a coffee shop and juice bar.

Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:

Rikki Metcalf

(916) 701-7663

DISE_HR@water.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

Office of Civil Rights

(916) 653-6952

civilrights@water.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), resume, cover letter, and supplemental questionnaire. Please reference SAP Position #50026870 and Job Control #527197 in the "examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying" section of your application.

The Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to elicit information regarding each applicant's abilities, knowledge, and experience in relation to the advertised position. Please complete this questionnaire and identify a reference who can verify your knowledge and/or experience. If you do not have experience regarding the question, then include examples of similar experience that would demonstrate your ability or potential to perform the specific function. Please limit your answer to approximately one page for each question (double-spaced, Arial 12 pt font).

1. Please explain why you are an ideal candidate for the Environmental Scientist position with the Compliance, Permitting, and Mitigation Unit. Include any relevant qualifications and/or examples to demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate.

2. Please describe your knowledge or experience with California and Delta water issues, including competing water interests in California, long-term water supply, Delta ecology and sensitive species, and ecosystem restoration needs. Describe any challenges of balancing California water needs.

3. Tell us about a time when you were on a team that struggled or failed to accomplish its goal. Why did it fail or struggle and what was your role? What actions would you take the next time to change the outcome?

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.

Click here to complete DWR's Recruitment Survey. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.

Examination/Assessment

For more information about the State hiring process, click here. To learn more about how to get a State job, click here.

List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.

Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.