Senior Environmental Scientist JC-518025

To be considered for this position, you must apply at CalCareers.ca.gov. To apply, you must first create a CalCareers account. Once your account is created, you can search for job code 518025 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 06/15/2026. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (Board) provides regulatory oversight of a wide variety of activities that pose a threat to the region’s surface and ground water. The Board’s Redding office has a tight-knit management team and highly capable staff that together aim to influence practices and policies statewide to achieve water quality protection and restoration goals.

We are looking for a motivated and experienced candidate to fill a Senior Environmental Scientist (Sr. ES) (Supervisory) position that supervises staff responsible for providing regulatory oversight of challenging timberland management and wildfire related activities in the Forest Practice Unit. The incumbent will work closely with internal and external partners to integrate geological, environmental and watershed management expertise so that timberland management activities meet the goals of achieving and maintaining high quality waters for the benefit of current and future generations. The incumbent will successfully work with engineers, geologists, environmental scientists, managers, and legal counsel from diverse backgrounds.

The position is located at 364 Knollcrest Dr. Ste 205, in Redding, CA 96002.

Duties:

Under the general direction of the Division Chief, the incumbent will plan, coordinate, direct, and supervise staff charged with the following components of the Forest Activities Program:

• Permitting/permit compliance
• Permit development 
• Research/Monitoring 
• Outreach 
• Planning 
• Enforcement 

The incumbent will oversee unit staff efforts to permit and regulate discharges of waste (pollution) from forestland management activities conducted on non-federal lands throughout the region. The incumbent will participate in and oversee staff in the conduct of the above listed activities to ensure understanding of state and regional board permitting requirements and in the pursuit of compliance activities and enforcement actions against those found in violation.

The incumbent will work closely with the Division Chief and Program Manager to implement board priorities, manage unit workload, and meet annual program work plan goals. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and maintaining an efficient, capable, and knowledgeable technical unit and must have the necessary skills to hire, train, mentor, coach and manage a diverse, multi-disciplinary staff working in a challenging, complex program to protect and enhance water quality throughout the Board’s region.

Other duties include oversight of complaint response; responding to public information requests; preparation and presentation of informational items, permitting, and enforcement actions before the Regional Water Board and State Water Board; participation in committees; participating in and leading public meetings; and coordination with other programs and agencies to efficiently implement the Board’s priorities. Communicate with appropriate internal program managers, provide feedback and status updates on annual program work plan goals/commitments. Coordinate with, support, and contribute to the Redding management team in achieving team goals. 

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.

Working Conditions

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.

In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.  Proof of residency may be required.

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. Employees 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.

Job type: Full-Time

$10,854.00 - $13,493.00 per Month

The Water Resources Control Board is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer.