Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position.

Make a difference and help protect California’s water! The Watershed Adaptive Management Unit of the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (North Coast Regional Water Board) is looking for an Environmental Scientist to help us fulfill our vision - Healthy Watersheds, Effective Regulation, and Strong Partnerships. Job perks include training and career development through our Training Academy, free parking, state holidays, vision and dental benefits, retirement benefits through CalPERS, and wonderful co-workers. Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for teleworking with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position. This position will be located at our Santa Rosa office at 5550 Skylane Blvd., Suite A, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 in the heart of beautiful Sonoma County, which is known for its great restaurants and excellent outdoor recreation opportunities.

Duties : The Environmental Scientist shall oversee the North Coast Regional Water Board’s Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP), which conducts regional monitoring of physical, chemical, biological, and hydrological parameters to determine surface water quality. Duties include leading the Region’s Freshwater Harmful Algal Bloom (FHAB) Program to implement requirements of Assembly Bill (AB) 834 and support the protection of California’s aquatic ecosystems and communities from impacts by freshwater harmful algal blooms. Duties require the ability to develop and coordinate multi-agency teams and the ability to conduct complex water quality related scientific work including physical, chemical, biological, and hydrologic data assessments. The incumbent will require strong writing, public speaking, communication, and organizational skills, as well as knowledge of statistical analyses techniques, statistical software, and GIS software. Duties may require travel to remote locations that may exceed eight (8) hours per day and navigation of vigorous terrain under all weather conditions.

Select duties are:  Develop and review water quality monitoring programs, plans, protocols, and data quality assurance documents, oversee the North Coast Region’s Cyanobacteria Freshwater Harmful Algal Bloom (FHAB) Monitoring and Response Program, track and respond to FHAB reports including conducting field investigations, sampling, lab coordination, database entry, and coordinating with partners on specific response actions, develop and maintain internal and external partnerships that promote and ensure the collection of appropriate and scientifically defensible water quality data, support the North Coast Regional Water Board Monitoring Coordinator to develop a Long-Term Monitoring Framework that guides monitoring protocol and priorities in the North Coast region, use non-parametric statistical analysis and statistical and data analysis programs to evaluate water quality data, develop written technical reports and factsheets, develop maps using GIS, conduct presentations, develop and manage grants and/or contracts, and participate in the development of statewide plans and policies, implement the North Coast Regional Water Board’s Racial Equity Action Plan, conduct outreach and education.

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.

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.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey:  .

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

To be considered for this position, you must include the following:

• RPA# 24-110-084 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.

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:

• Experience working with or knowledge of cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms and their toxins.
• Knowledge of water quality statutes and regulations. Familiarity with the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, Clean Water Act, and water quality issues in California.
• Experience managing and developing workplans for large projects and/or programs.
• Knowledge of the principles of bio stimulatory conditions, watershed management, hydrology, stream morphology, and watershed analysis of multiple land uses and impacts on water quality, fisheries, and other beneficial uses.
• Experience leading, designing, and implementing monitoring programs and plans.
• Experience in water quality data interpretation, including use of statistical analysis, to determine compliance with Basin Plan Standards.
• Experience writing technical reports synthesizing water quality data results.
• Experience conducting non-parametric statistical analyses and utilizing statistical and data analysis programs to evaluate water quality data results.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of staff, management, and the public, and as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience building and maintaining partnerships and coordinating the efforts of multiple partners and stakeholders including state, federal, local, and tribal agencies, research organizations, community members, and regulated entities.
• Strong organizational and decision-making skills and the ability to set priorities on assignments and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience writing reports and giving presentations to large audiences.
• Ability to provide effective, courteous, and timely customer service.
• Experience with Microsoft Office software and GIS applications.
• Possession of an advanced degree in biological, chemical, physical, or environmental science, or a closely related scientific discipline is desirable.

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.

Benefit information can be found on the website and the website.

Statement of Qualifications

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 three (3) pages in length, using Arial size 12-point font , and normal margins.

1. Describe your experience and success in the following (please include your years of experience for each):
   1. Building partnerships and coordinating with agencies, non-governmental organizations, and tribes.
   2. Conducting water quality monitoring and implementing appropriate sampling methods and protocols.
   3. Using interpersonal skills to communicate environmental issues with members of the public.
   4. Writing environmental technical reports synthesizing water quality data results.
   5. Giving presentations to large audiences.
2. Describe your experience using statistical methods to analyze and interpret water quality data. Please include a discussion of the types of data evaluated and the analysis methods used.
3. Describe your understanding of and experience working with Harmful Algal Blooms, bio stimulatory conditions, and associated public response programs. Identify years of experience working directly with these three things.
4. Describe your project and program management experience and successes, including years of experience for each.
5. Please provide a discussion of additional desirable qualifications that you possess as they relate to this position.

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.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see below for specific requirements.
• Other - Professional references.

Job Tags

Holiday work, Permanent employment, Full time, Part time, Work experience placement, Local area, Remote job, Outdoor,

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