Job Description

Job Description and Duties

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

Please note: this is a re-advertisement. If you have previously applied for this vacancy, your application is being considered and you do not need to re-apply.

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.

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.

This position may be entitled to a $250.00 pay differential per month based on Bargaining Unit and/or work location if hired to report to the Richmond Office in Contra Costa County. 

Are you looking for an exciting and fulfilling career that is instrumental in the protection of the environment? The State of California is seeking a dedicated Research Scientist to join our dynamic team as a laboratory assessor. You will drive the enhancement of laboratory capabilities throughout the state, directly influencing the quality and reliability of environmental monitoring and protection. We offer a unique opportunity to apply your scientific expertise within a supportive and innovative team, dedicated to excellence and continuous improvement. Apply today and join us.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Drinking Water (DDW) has an opening for a Research Scientist I (Chemical Sciences) in the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) of DDW’s Program Management Branch. The position may be filled at one of DDW’s Field Office locations:

• Sacramento – 1001 I Street, 17th Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814.
• Santa Rosa – 50 D Street, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.
• Richmond – 850 Marina Bay Parkway, Building P, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804.
• Monterey – 1 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Building 1, Suite 120, Monterey, CA 93940.
• Lodi – 3021 Reynolds Ranch Parkway, Suite 260, Lodi, CA 95240.
• Fresno – 265 West Bullard Avenue, Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93704.
• Carpinteria – 1180 Eugenia Place, Suite 200, Carpinteria, CA 93013.
• Bakersfield – 4925 Commerce Drive, Suite 120, Bakersfield, CA 93309.
• Glendale – 500 North Central Avenue, Suite 500, Glendale, CA 91203.
• Santa Ana – 2 MacArthur Place, Suite 150, Santa Ana, CA 92707.
• San Bernardino – 464 West 4th Street, Room 437, San Bernardino, CA 92401.
• San Diego – 2375 Northside Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92108.

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 .

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:

• RPA# 24-410-009 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
• Photocopies of degree and official transcripts (if needed to establish eligibility).

Must have Research Scientist I (Chemical Sciences) 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 credentials 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.

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: 2/5/2026

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 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:

State Water Resources Control Board

Attn: Human Resources Branch - Katie Hill

1001 I Street, 18th Floor

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

State Water Resources Control Board

Human Resources Branch - Katie Hill

1001 I Street, 18th Floor

Sacramento , CA 95814

08:00 AM - 05:00 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 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 SOQ requirements.
• Other - Cover Letter is required and must be included.

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.

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. and Health Benefits | CalPERS

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

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website:

Human Resources Contact:
Katie Hill
(916) 341-5111
kathleen.hill@waterboards.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Maria Friedman
(818) 551-2014
maria.friedman@waterboards.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:
Shyla Hoffman
(916) 341-5881
shyla.hoffman@waterboards.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.

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 two (2) pages in length, using Arial size 12 font , and normal margins.

Please respond to the following statements/questions:

1. How many years of knowledge and/or experience do you have working in a commercial or governmental environmental testing laboratory? Describe your knowledge and/or experience and role(s).

2. How many years of knowledge and/or experience do you have writing quality manuals or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for commercial or governmental environmental testing laboratories? Describe the documents involved.

3. How many years of knowledge and/or experience do you have with laboratory sample testing using published methods from the Environmental Protection Agency, Standard Methods, American Society for Testing and Materials, or other Voluntary Standards Consensus Body? Describe your knowledge and/or experience and role(s), including a description of the methods involved (including method number, where applicable).

4. How many years of knowledge and/or experience do you have with public speaking or interacting with the public in a professional setting? Describe the nature of your knowledge and/or experience.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated may not be considered.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Part time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Remote work,

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