Virtual Environmental Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Do you enjoy working with tabular and spatial data, and making a difference to end users applying aerial imagery, spatial analysis, cartography, and visualization skills? Come join our team of highly talented scientists in the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Land Use Program!
The DWR Division of Regional Assistance, Water Use Efficiency Branch, CIMIS Land Use and Water Use Section, Land Use Unit, is seeking a highly motivated individual with excellent educational background and experience, including geospatial expertise, remote sensing, WebGIS, programming, and advanced data analytics skills. We are looking for someone who enjoys working with data to perform meaningful, challenging, and rewarding tasks to join a team of highly qualified scientists in our Land Use Program. The long-term goal of the Land Use Program is to improve the frequency and efficiency of statewide land-use surveys by integrating remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with field surveys, while analyzing data from local sources, satellite imagery, and high-elevation digital imagery. The main emphasis of our current field-level land-use surveys is mapping irrigated agricultural land statewide, including urban agriculture and native vegetation. Our land use surveys include more than 70 different crop types within 10 crop categories, and we also map irrigation methods and water sources where applicable. Land use data is the basis for calculating statewide agricultural water uses for the California Water Plan, water resources modelling, and supporting the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, among other uses. The Environmental Scientist will be responsible for various assignments in the development, analysis, and quality assurance and control of land use data, in addition to participating in planning, organizing, and fulfilling work assignments as a member of project teams working on multi-disciplinary tasks.
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-514052
Position #(s):
841-630-0762-010
Working Title:
ENVIRONMENTAL 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:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Mailing Address
Department Information
Division of Regional Assistance, Water Use Efficiency Branch, CIMIS Land Use and Water Use Section, Land Use Unit, 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
The duties require occasional travel to attend meetings, training, and/or field.
The Department of Water Resources is committed to its mission and employees, and we are grounded in our commitment to public safety. Regular, consistent, and predictable attendance is essential to the successful performance in this position.
All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is 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: 6/1/2026
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.
• Statement of Qualifications - See Special Instructions for additional details.

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:
Knowledge of computing and analytical skills, experience including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online, remote sensing software such as ENVI or ERDAS Imagine, and Python programming. Knowledge of SQL, Machine Learning, and other programming languages such as R and HTML will be advantageous. Field work, analyzing and evaluating environmental data, working with entities engaged in environmental work, and written and oral presentations are recommended.
The ideal applicant has excellent capacity to pay attention to detail, is reliable and productive in both independent and/or collaborative work settings and has advanced computer skills in word processing and spreadsheets along with strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Basic knowledge of irrigated agricultural crops grown in California and water usage in urban and agricultural areas is preferred.
Benefits
Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees. We offer continuous professional development and a wide range of training opportunities. Our brand new, state-of-the-art Natural Resources Headquarters Building is located right next to Light Rail in downtown Sacramento for an easy commute - we'll even reimburse you for a portion of your monthly public transit pass!
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:
Daisy Tam
(279) 231-0766
daisy.tam@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 the following documents: (1) State Application (STD 678); (2) Resume (two-page maximum); and (3) Statement of Qualifications. The Statement of Qualifications is an important part of your application; it is a separate typed document, 2 pages maximum, in Arial 12-point font, that succinctly and clearly describes your knowledge, skills, experience, and education directly related to the qualifications and duties listed in the job Duty Statement. Please reference the SAP Position Number 50044079, and Job Control Number JC-514052 , in the "examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying" section of your application.
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.
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.