Virtual Environmental Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Department of Water Resources' Division of Engineering's Environmental Coordination Section is a team of professionals dedicated to supporting the environmental planning and compliance aspects of DWR's construction projects. Our team works with many Divisions in DWR to support a variety of large public civil-works projects related to water storage, water transportation, flood control, environmental protection, species conservation, habitat restoration, and recreation.
We hope you'll check out the Duty Statement and Desirable Qualifications below and apply for this great career opportunity to join our team and help deliver water to over 26 million Californians while implementing measures to protect our environment and mitigate impacts on resources.
Under the supervision of a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the incumbent performs a range of duties including monitoring construction sites for compliance with the Construction General Permit, coordinating with environmental coordinators and construction staff to address environmental issues, supporting development of plans and specifications for construction contracts, including incorporating CEQA and permit measures, and preparing compliance documentation, such as permit tables, contractor submittals and RFIs, or Tribal correspondence.
This is a Permanent-Intermittent position with a maximum of 1,500 hours of work per year.
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-521511
Position #(s):
843-320-0762-900
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 Intermittent - 1500 Hours
Department Information
Division of Engineering, Project Management Branch/Environmental Coordination Section, 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 Possession of a valid CA driver's license.
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: 7/13/2026
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:
The successful incumbent will have a general knowledge of environmental compliance, and a familiarity with engineering and construction practices. Successful incumbents will also have experience working in the field or outdoors, including experience related to environmental surveys or monitoring, experience preparing environmental field documents (survey reports, trip reports), logistics experience, such as organization of field efforts and/or coordination of events or groups of people, and the ability to collaborate with team members across disciplines. Familiarity with implementation of the Construction General Permit is desirable. Candidates should possess competencies of teamwork, problem solving, interpersonal skills, good judgement, and the ability to work cooperatively with others. This position will require occasional travel to various project sites throughout the State.
Benefits
Click here to read about some of the benefits available to eligible employees. We're located in Downtown Sacramento right next to Light Rail for an easy commute - we'll even reimburse you for a portion of your monthly public transit pass!
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 https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Kalie Chang
(916) 600-8583
Maikau.chang@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
All interested applicants must submit a Standard State Application (Std. 678), resume, and a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Reference the SAP Position # 50093831 and Job Control # 521511 on your application, resume and SOQ. Failure to provide requested documents and information may result in automatic disqualification from the hiring process. A resume is required but does not take the place of the SOQ.
The SOQ is a separate one-page typed document in Arial Font 12, with normal margins, that serves as documentation of candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ should be properly labeled and include your name, SAP Position number and Job Control Number. SOQs that go over the one-page limit will not be scored. The SOQ should be in essay format and addresses the following.

Describe what interests you most about this position and how you see this position fitting into your career goals. Describe your education and experience as it relates to the job duties as described in the job advertisement and duty statement and why you are the most qualified candidate for the position.

The follow basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, SROA/Surplus, and training and development assignment.
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.