Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Please note, 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 Executive Order (EO) 22-25 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.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Los Angeles Region (Los Angeles Water Board) is recruiting an Environmental Scientist in the Enforcement I Unit within the Compliance and Enforcement Section. The position is located at 320 W. 4 th Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

Duties: Under the direct supervision of a Senior Water Resource Control Engineer (Supervisor) in the Enforcement I Unit, the incumbent will review and perform analyses on technical and environmental data, conduct investigations, perform inspections, and prepare informal and formal enforcement actions to ensure compliance with the California Water Code, Clean Water Act, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, the State Water Board’s Sanitary Sewer System Waste Discharge Requirements, and other Los Angeles Water Board Orders. Please refer to the attached Duty Statement for specific duties.

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 .

Special Requirements

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

• RPA# 25-140-027 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 credential’s 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:

• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with other engineers and scientists, follow through on commitments, organize and set priorities, manage complex projects, and meet deadlines.
• Education and/or experience with respect to domestic or industrial wastewater collection and treatment controls, practices, and processes.
• Familiarity with water quality control laws and regulations, and with federal, state, and local programs to enforce permits.
• Good problem-solving skills and attention to details.
• Ability to communicate (written and oral) complex information in a correct, clear, and concise manner.
• Ability to perform scientific analysis and related research.
• Working knowledge of computer applications such as MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint (or similar programs) and familiarity with database systems and computer modelling.

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 (SOQ)

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 Arial size 12 pt. font , and normal margins.

The SOQ is a narrative discussion of how the candidate’s education, training, experience, and skills qualify them for the position.

Indicate your total years of experience when answering the following statements:

1. Describe your educational background and/or any professional experience relating to water quality control, including laws and regulations, permits, wastewater collection and treatment processes, and wastewater sample collection and analyses.
2. Describe your educational background and/or experience in the fields of science and in conducting scientific data analyses (particularly environmental data).
3. Provide specific examples of your experience and ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing, ability to make presentations, and lead meetings and workshops.
4. Provide specific examples of your experience and ability to follow through on commitments, organize and set priorities, manage complex projects, and meet deadlines.
5. Describe your knowledge and/or experience using computer applications such as MS Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint (or similar programs), ArcGIS, and familiarity with database systems and computer modelling.

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.
• Other - Cover Letter is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see below for specific requirements.

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