Environmental Scientist at State Water Resources Control Board San Diego County, CA

Job Description and Duties

Looking for an exciting opportunity to protect our critically important wetlands in San Diego? The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region has two (2) openings for Environmental Scientists in the Wetland and Riparian Protection Unit. Join the Wetland and Riparian Protection Unit in administering and enforcing programs pertaining to the regulation of dredge and fill material discharges under Clean Water Act section 401 water quality certifications and/or waste discharge requirements.

The positions are located at 2375 Northside Drive, San Diego, California 92108, in Mission Valley near light rail stations and other public transportation.

For a description of duties, applicants can review the Duty Statement attached.

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.

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. 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.

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 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 2025on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

• RPA#  and  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.
• 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: .

• Knowledge and/or experience in preparation or review of waste discharge requirements (WDRs), Clean Water Act section 401 Water Quality Certifications, advance restoration plans (ARPs), and/or mitigation banking proposals.
• Knowledge and/or experience in conducting scientific analyses and reports, preparing scientific reports/letters, and providing technical feedback.
• Knowledge and/or experience in stream and other aquatic systems and processes, including hydrologic, geomorphic, geologic, and biological.
• Experience in conducting field investigations, performing scientific evaluations, and compliance evaluations.
• Knowledge and/or experience in maintaining water quality and facility data in databases, maintaining electronic content management systems, and/or responding to Public Records Act requests.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to convey complex information to professional staff, stakeholders, and the general public.

Water Board employees may be eligible for benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees, and some…