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 Division of Financial Assistance (Division) has an opening for an Environmental Scientist / Cultural Resources Specialist in the Special Project Review Unit. The position is located at 1001 I Street, 16th Floor, Sacramento, 95814 in the heart of downtown next to light rail stations and other public transportation.

Duties: Under close supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist (Supervisory), the incumbent serves as one of the Division's Cultural Resources Specialists (CRS). The CRS reviews historic property identification reports submitted by applicants and works with applicants to correct deficiencies, drafts consultation letters to the State Historic Preservation Officer, tribes and other consulting parties for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106) compliance and to tribes for California Environmental Protection Act (CEQA) compliance . The CRS provides professional guidance to applicants/consultants to assure compliance with laws and regulations regarding cultural resources (Section 106, the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act, and CEQA) for a variety of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects. May conduct pre-field research such as creating geographic information system maps, orders record searches from the California Historical Resources Information System, requests Sacred lands File Searches from the Native American Heritage Commission and conducts Native American tribal consultation. Evaluates potential historical resources/historic properties for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources and National Register of Historic Places and assesses impacts/effects on those properties. Writes quality cultural resources technical documents to support CEQA and Section 106 findings. The incumbent may also perform limited archaeological fieldwork and write cultural resources technical reports and draft monitoring and discovery plans. The incumbent is responsible for reviewing and writing sections of environmental documents prepared for CEQA compliance, and drafting mitigation measures to reduce impacts to historical, archaeological, and tribal cultural resources when the State Water Board is CEQA lead agency. Briefs the State Water Board staff and management and attends meetings related to environmental project review for an array of drinking water and water quality projects.

May travel to project sites and meetings, perform field visits to confirm project compliance with environmental conditions, as necessary.

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# 25-550-039 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 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 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.

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 (SOQ)

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 12-point font , and normal margins.

Provide a description of your experience, knowledge and abilities as they relate to each of the seven items listed below with specific examples for each desirable qualification.

1. Knowledge of and/or ability to meet the professional qualifications standards consistent with "Secretary of Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic Preservation" (36 CFR part 61) in prehistoric or historical archaeology. Detail relevant knowledge, experience, research, and shortfalls if appliable.

2. Experience and knowledge of historic or precolonial archeological field methods and interpretation of data.

3. Knowledge of the resources used, and the steps involved in the preparation of a cultural resources identification report.

4. Knowledge of and ability to apply the National Register of Historic Places/California Register of Historical Resources criteria for evaluation of archaeological sites and built environment resources and apply the criteria of adverse effects to assess project impacts to historic properties/historical resources.

5. Knowledge of and experience with state and federal laws and regulations that pertain to cultural resources.

6. Ability to work both independently and cooperatively in a team environment with colleagues of different disciplines.

7. Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral formats, use critical thinking skills, and present an organized and well thought out argument supported with documentation.

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 - Cover Letter is required and must be included.

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