Remote Geochemist Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $126,877.00 - $185,808.00 Annually
Location : WRD Headquarters, Lakewood, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026000011
Department: Hydrogeology
Opening Date: 07/22/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
General Purpose
The Water Replenishment District of Southern California (WRD or District) is a California Special District responsible for managing and protecting local groundwater resources for over 4 million residents. As a local government agency, WRD ensures that a reliable supply of high-quality groundwater is available through the use of stormwater capture and recycled water.
WRD is seeking a hydrogeologist, engineer, geochemist, or other water quality specialist experienced in contaminated site investigations and remediation to assist the District with various projects and programs related to hydrogeology, groundwater quality, recycled water reuse, and environmental site investigations.
Working both independently and in group settings under direction of the Manager of Hydrogeology, the person will perform detailed tasks related to groundwater quality and contaminated site investigations, discovery projects for source area identification, GeoTracker and other database reviews for site updates and remediation progress, multi-agency cooperative efforts, and special projects related to groundwater contamination prevention and cleanup. Other projects related to recycled water reuse and permitting, groundwater monitoring, modeling, seawater intrusion, and managed aquifer recharge may also be assigned.
The ideal candidate will be both an excellent communicator and planner, able to facilitate and run meetings with regulators and others and represent the District at such meetings and have a strong background in analytical science or engineering and able to perform detailed and complicated technical analysis and reporting as well as present results in a non-technical manner to the general public.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
This multifaceted position will include a wide variety of activities across various disciplines including geology, chemistry, environmental, water resources, and hydrogeology.Assignments may include, but are not limited to:

• Assist with a wide range of groundwater quality programs, including the District's Contamination Prevention Program. Staff will track and update the District's list of high-priority groundwater contamination sites, provide written and oral updates to senior management, Board of Directors, and/or the Groundwater Quality Committee, facilitate multi-agency Groundwater Contamination Forum meetings, and coordinate activities with the Los Angeles Forebay Groundwater Task Force, among other duties.
• Lead District activities focused on groundwater contamination investigations, including plume investigations, mapping and GIS incorporation, modeling potential flow and transport pathways, design investigation programs including new monitoring well drilling and sampling programs, evaluate remediation technologies proposed by responsible parties, and interact with regulatory agencies to focus attention and action on priority sites within or near District boundaries.
• Assist District staff with wellhead treatment projects, evaluating impacted wells, remediation technologies, well profiling results, and capture zone modeling and analysis. Pursue State and Federal funding opportunities for groundwater contamination investigation, remediation, and wellhead treatment projects.
• Complete sections of quarterly permit compliance reports, including data analysis, graphical and tabular data preparations, data QA/QC, and report writing. Complete sections of the Regional Groundwater Monitoring Report on source water quality. Updated the Districts Water Quality Database with new regulatory limits (MCL, PHG, NL) and laboratory chemical code values.
• Track and manage NPDES permit compliance submittals for the District's monitoring well and treatment plant discharges.
• Manage on-call environmental consultants, tracking their project assignments, budget, schedules, and deliverables.
• Prepare high level technical reports that are comprehensive, scientifically based and defensible, high quality, and meets all deadlines. Includes analysis and preparation of Stiff Diagrams, Piper Plots, Plume Maps, Contour Maps, Cross Sections, Trend Maps, and statistical evaluations. Interact with GIS department to incorporate data into the GIS database and present intuitive and accurate maps. Use forensic hydrogeology and geochemistry to attempt to identify contaminant source areas and potentially responsible parties.
• Give presentations as necessary to the staff, Board of Directors, and others on project activities and outcomes. Monthly oral and written reports to the Groundwater Quality Committee will be required, with the topics and research performed by the successful candidate. Represent the District at various functions, meetings, and activities and report back to supervisor.
• Although rare, perform field work as needed, including water level measurement, sample collection, drilling and well installation supervision and logging, and aquifer testing. Document field activities and perform data analysis as needed.
• Mentor interns and junior level technical staff. Participate and provide input on project teams as the groundwater quality representative.
• Prepare and administer contracts for studies, services, and other efforts. Participate on consultant selection panels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) from an accredited college or university in geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, environmental engineering, civil engineering, environmental science, or closely related field.
• Professional registration in the State of California; Professional Geologist (PG) and Certified Hydrogeologist (CHg).
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in contaminant hydrogeology and/or engineering, including knowledge of current investigation and remediation technologies. A strong background in geochemistry and experience in environmental site characterization a plus.
• Strong knowledge of California water quality regulating agencies and regulations related to contaminated site investigation and remediation.
• Excellent computer skills including use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. Analytical and numerical groundwater flow and transport modeling, including Modflow and MT3D, a strong plus. GIS knowledge is a plus.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, data presentation, and oral presentation skills. Published and/or presentations at technical conferences a plus.

Compensation:The salary range for this classification is $126,877.00 to $185,808.00 yearly.
APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:Applications will be accepted until 08/22/2026. WRD reserves the right to fill or close the position at any time, before or after 08/22/2026.
To be considered for this opportunity please complete the application process for this position located at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wrd. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the screening process, which will include a panel interview and possible written exam.
Final candidates must be able to prove legal U.S. residency, pass a background check, and a physical exam
The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Application and Selection Process:
To be considered for this opportunity, please complete the application for this position located at
Incomplete submissions may result in disqualification. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate further in the screening process, which may include a panel interview and a written exam.
Final candidates must be able to prove their ability to work legally in the U.S., pass a background check, and a physical exam.
The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
WRD offers an exceptional benefits package, inclusive of the following:

• CalPERS pension
• Deferred compensation and matching
• Social Security
• Paid medical plans through Anthem and Kaiser
• Paid dental insurance through Delta Dental
• Paid employee assistance program
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 9/80 Remote/Hybrid work schedule for eligible positions
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability
• Represented employees receive paid vacation and sick leave.
• Management employees receive paid annual leave.
• Paid holidays
• Optional, employee paid long-term care insurance

For purposes of employment, temporary employees and interns are not eligible for any benefits unless required by law. Pursuant to state law, temporary employees and interns are eligible for 40 hours of paid sick leave in accordance with the District's sick leave policy after completion of 90 calendar days of employment. Any unused hours of sick leave will be forfeited as of December 31st. A new accrual of 40 hours will be provided at the start of the calendar year. Upon completion of the internship assignment, unused sick leave will be lost.
01
The information provided in your application must support your selected answers in the supplemental questions. The information you provide will be verified and documentation may be required. Please be as honest and accurate as possible. By completing this supplemental questionnaire, you are attesting that the information you have provided is accurate. Any misstatements, omissions, or falsification of information may eliminate you from consideration or result in dismissal. I also understand that I may not submit resumes in lieu of filling out the application or answering the Supplemental Questions.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• No, I do not agree

02
Which best describes your highest level of completed education?

• Some College
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctoral degree

03
Do you currently possess either of the following professional registrations in the State of California?

• Professional Geologist (PG)
• Certified Hydrogeologist (CHg)
• Both PG and CHg
• None

04
The Water Replenishment District (WRD) manages a groundwater contamination program where staff are expected to have a basic understanding of common soil and groundwater remediation technologies. Staff must also be able to effectively communicate remediation progress for high-priority contamination sites to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.Based on your education and/or professional experience, do you have a basic understanding of common remediation technologies used to clean contaminated sites, such as those described by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)?

• Yes
• No

05
If you answered yes to question 4, briefly describe your experience or knowledge of remediation technologies.
06
The Water Replenishment District works closely with water producers and regulatory agencies to address groundwater contamination. In some cases, the California Division of Drinking Water (DDW) requires an evaluation of potential contaminant source areas and migration pathways consistent with Process Memo 97-005 before approving wellhead treatment.Do you have experience in preparing, negotiating, coordinating, or responding to a Division of Drinking Water (DDW) Process Memo 97-005 request?

• Yes
• No

07
If you answered yes to question 6, please describe your experience, including your role, the types of projects involved, and the regulatory agencies with which you worked.
08
At a high level, briefly describe the importance of and your process for developing from a contaminant transport pathway perspective the importance of a detailed Conceptual Site Model?
Required Question