Job Description

Job Description and Duties

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

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. E mployees 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.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Office of Research, Planning and Performance has an opening for a Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisor) to lead the Emergency Management Unit.  Working at the Water Boards offers the opportunity to make a real difference in protecting California’s most vital resource—water. In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of statewide emergency response and environmental resilience, leading efforts that safeguard water quality during wildfires, floods, droughts, and other emergencies. You’ll collaborate with dedicated professionals across state, federal, and local agencies, help shape policies that guide California’s future, and contribute to innovative solutions that protect communities and watersheds.

During emergency activations, duties may require work at the State Operations Center, State Agency Emergency Operation Center (EOC)’s or local EOC’s or other locations to provide assistance in emergency management and recovery activities.  Work weekends, holidays, extended and rotating shifts (day/night). Duties may require travel to remote locations that may exceed eight (8) hours per day and navigation of vigorous terrain under all weather conditions.

• Lead the Water Boards’ Emergency Management Program, oversee preparedness, response, and recovery efforts for wildfires, floods, droughts, and other statewide emergencies .
• Coordinate and direct multidisciplinary staff to coordinate across Water Board programs and with CalEPA, Cal OES, federal partners, tribes, and local agencies.
• Develop best management practices and technical guidance for post-wildfire debris flow recovery, emergency declarations, and climate-related events.
• Represent the Water Boards at briefings, workshops, community meetings, and tribal consultations, including outreach to underserved and disadvantaged communities.
• Create and deliver emergency communication materials, reports, training resources, and cross-training tools to improve statewide information sharing and readines
• Advise leadership on emergency management policies, procedures, legislative issues, and water-quality–related emergency strategies.
• Lead emergency management training exercises, strengthening interagency coordination and operational capability.

The position is located at 1001 I Street, 13th Floor, Sacramento, right in the heart of downtown next to light rail stations and other public transportation.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

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

• RPA# 25-240-023 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 Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory) 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:

• Knowledge and experience with emergency management systems, including the Incident Command System (ICS), Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).
• Knowledge and experience coordinating emergency response and recovery activities, including planning, training, exercising, and after-action reporting.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to plan, organize, and direct complex, multi-agency projects or programs under tight deadlines.
• Knowledge and experience in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and guidance related to environmental or emergency management programs.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with state, local, and federal agencies, including CalEPA, CalOES, and regional partners, to achieve shared goals.
• Understanding of racial equity and environmental justice principles, and application of principles to research, data analysis, and policy development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, briefing materials, and presentations for diverse audiences such as executive leadership, stakeholders, and the public.
• Ability to analyze complex technical, policy, and legislative issues and provide sound, science-based recommendations.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in high-stakes situations, demonstrating sound judgment, composure, and decisiveness during emergencies.
• Proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools used to support decision-making during emergency response and recovery.

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

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 must be typed, no more than four (4) pages in length, using Arial font size 12 , with normal margins.

In your SOQ, please include the numbered prompts below as section headers. Each section should stand alone as a clear and complete response. To the extent possible, use different examples in each section. Be sure to identify the relevant roles and experience in each section, including the number of years associated with those duties. Applications that do not follow these instructions will not be considered.

1. Interagency Collaboration : Describe your experience coordinating with other programs, agencies, or working groups to achieve emergency management objectives. Include examples of how you have facilitated collaboration, shared technical expertise, and resolved complex multi-agency challenges.
2. High-Stress and Field Work Experience: Describe your experience working under stressful, high-stakes conditions. Include experience working in field settings, emergency operation centers, or during extended or rotating shifts, and describe how you maintained effectiveness under these conditions.
3. Public Outreach, Communication, and Reporting: Describe your experience preparing and delivering presentations, public outreach materials, briefings, or technical reports. Include examples of how you have communicated complex technical or emergency management information to diverse audiences, including internal staff, external agencies, and the public.
4. Leadership and Team Development: Describe your experience leading, supervising, or mentoring staff. Include examples of how you have built and motivated teams, delegated responsibilities, and promoted a positive, inclusive, and results-oriented work environment.
5. Emergency Management Planning, Policy, and Process Development: Describe your experience and provide specific examples of your experience developing or updating emergency response plans, policies, procedures, or guidance documents.
6. Emergency Management Experience Working Within the Incident Command System: Explain your experience with emergency management planning, including familiarity with the Incident Command System (ICS) and the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). Provide specific examples of how you have coordinated emergency response activities across local, state, or federal agencies.

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.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Part time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Night shift, Rotating shift, Weekend work,

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