Environmental Scientist

Job Description

Job Description and Duties
The Continuous Environmental Monitoring (CEM) unit maintains a network of water quality stations throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This position offers an exciting opportunity to join our interdisciplinary team of environmental scientists, engineers, technicians, and other specialists while contributing to a dynamic field program and supporting high-quality science focused on the restoration, conservation, and management of the San Francisco Estuary. This position plays an integral role in supporting program operations through the collection, analysis, management, and reporting of environmental data to ensure regulatory compliance with Water Right Decision 1641. Responsibilities include operating and maintaining water quality monitoring equipment and station infrastructure, collecting and processing environmental samples, evaluating data quality, and managing long-term environmental data sets. The incumbent will also contribute to technical reports and presentations and participate in special studies addressing emerging water quality issues in the Bay-Delta. This position also provides opportunities to work collaboratively with scientists and other specialists within and outside of DWR to help inform the management and protection of the San Francisco Estuary. You will find additional information about the position in the Duty Statement. As a permanent-intermittent position, the incumbent may not exceed working 1,500 hours in a calendar year.  Permanent-intermittent (PI) employees are eligible to receive benefits after meeting the required work hour criteria and do receive holiday pay on a pro-rated basis. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Special Requirements
Candidates must possess: A valid driver’s license Normal (or correctable to normal) visual and hearing acuity to safely process hand and verbal signals used to operate hydraulic equipment onboard sampling vessels Candidates must be able to: Be available to conduct fieldwork outside of normal business hours including early mornings, late nights, and weekends Obtain a California boater card Work aboard boats for extended periods without incapacitation due to seasickness Swim at least 50 yards unaided Promptly don personal flotation gear without help Stay afloat for five minutes while wearing a personal flotation device Move and transport loads of up to 25 lbs.

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 ideal candidate will have experience conducting scientific fieldwork, including working on boats and in rugged, remote, or otherwise challenging conditions. Experience collecting and processing water quality, biological, or other environmental samples, as well as preparing, operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting field instrumentation and equipment, is desirable. Experience following established standard operating procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols is also desirable. Candidates should also have experience working with environmental monitoring equipment, such as water quality instrumentation and data loggers, including calibrating, programming, or configuring equipment for data collection and telemetry. Experience developing, reviewing, or updating SOPs, Quality Assurance Project Plans (QAPPs), or other technical documentation; working in a laboratory setting; procuring scientific equipment and supplies; and performing minor repairs or maintenance on equipment and infrastructure is desirable. Experience analyzing and managing scientific or environmental data, familiarity with scientific software and data management systems, and performing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures is desirable. The ability to communicate scientific information through technical reports, presentations, or other written and verbal products is also valued. Candidates should also demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with others, provide technical leadership, and participate in special studies, interagency projects, or team-based efforts.