Environmental Permitting and Compliance Scientist

Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in helping protect California’s vital water resources from future risk? The Delta Conveyance Project (DCP) is an essential climate adaptation strategy, as it protects against future water supply losses caused by climate change, sea level rise, and earthquakes.

We are looking for a highly motivated, creative team-player to join the DCP team of multi-disciplined environmental professionals responsible for providing a wide range of regulatory compliance and scientific services to support management of California's water resources. As a member of the Compliance, Permitting, and Mitigation (CPM) Unit, you will work on addressing some of the most complex and challenging environmental issues facing DWR and the State of California. You will be responsible for developing, reviewing, tracking, organizing, and monitoring draft documents; and assisting in the planning, monitoring, research, and coordination of DCP related activities.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

A valid California driver's license is required to drive to various field locations and meetings.

All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and are free from discrimination.

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:

The successful candidate must be willing to learn, exercise good judgement, and work in a multi-disciplined collaborative environment. Incumbent must have excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to complete tasks and projects with short notice, adapt to changes in priorities, and work cooperatively with all levels of DWR staff including Executive Management and project consultants. We are seeking candidates with knowledge of Delta ecology, CA water issues, regional species of concern, habitat restoration, California Environmental Quality Act, California and Federal Endangered Species Acts, and other environmental compliance/permitting process along with experience working with the public and other interested parties.

Benefits

DWR employees are eligible for a number of 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, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees' wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

Some added benefits DWR offers eligible employees at this location include:

Flexible Work Hours

Free Parking

Telework Opportunities

Health, Dental & Vision Benefits

Paid Sick & Vacation

Retirement

Basic Group Term Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

11 Paid Holidays

401(k) & 457 plans

Student Loan Forgiveness

Long Term Care

Group Legal Services

We are located in West Sacramento right off Highway 50 close to shopping, grocery stores and restaurants. Our site offers electric vehicle charging and is within walking distance of a coffee shop and juice bar.

to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit 

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), resume, cover letter, and supplemental questionnaire. Please reference SAP Position #50026870 and Job Control #527197 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

The Supplemental Questionnaire is designed to elicit information regarding each applicant’s abilities, knowledge, and experience in relation to the advertised position. Please complete this questionnaire and identify a reference who can verify your knowledge and/or experience. If you do not have experience regarding the question, then include examples of similar experience that would demonstrate your ability or potential to perform the specific function. Please limit your answer to approximately one page for each question (double-spaced, Arial 12 pt font).

1. Please explain why you are an ideal candidate for the Environmental Scientist position with the Compliance, Permitting, and Mitigation Unit. Include any relevant qualifications and/or examples to demonstrate why you are the ideal candidate.
2. Please describe your knowledge or experience with California and Delta water issues, including competing water interests in California, long-term water supply, Delta ecology and sensitive species, and ecosystem restoration needs. Describe any challenges of balancing California water needs.
3. Tell us about a time when you were on a team that struggled or failed to accomplish its goal. Why did it fail or struggle and what was your role? What actions would you take the next time to change the outcome?

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.

. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.

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.
• Other - Cover Letter
• Other - See Supplemental Questionnaire information under Special Instructions below.