Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Join the Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) as an estuarine scientist!  Our long-term monitoring program collects data on water quality and biological (phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic invertebrate) communities in the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary to ensure regulatory compliance with Water Right Decision 1641 (D-1641).  In this role, you will plan, organize, and lead monthly sample collection efforts aboard our 60-foot research vessel, R/V Sentinel; manage and maintain scientific databases; perform QA/QC on biological and water quality data; and analyze trends in estuarine ecology.  Work with other EMP scientists, managers, and state and federal agencies to present monitoring results at scientific conferences and produce regular technical reports and peer-reviewed publications.  You will also plan and complete special studies on emerging issues relating to water quality in the Bay-Delta and represent EMP and DWR on project work teams for the Interagency Ecological Program (IEP).

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 .

Special Requirements

Candidates must possess:

• a valid California driver’s license

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 equip 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:

A well-qualified candidate will have:

• Experience conducting scientific fieldwork in remote or rugged terrain, particularly aboard boats.
• Understanding of advanced ecological concepts relating to water quality, food web ecology, and/or estuarine science as demonstrated by completed coursework, training, research, or applied experience.
• Experience with data science practices for publishing, analyzing, and reporting complex environmental datasets, including scientific data processing, QA/QC, using statistical software (e.g., R, RStudio, MiniTab, PRIMER, etc.) and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reproducible) data reporting principles.
• Familiarity with the unique challenges and emerging environmental issues in the San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary ecosystem.
• Enthusiasm for working outdoors and leading a dynamic team in fieldwork activities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment, preferably in a leadership role.
• Experience managing multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Experience with scientific communication (i.e., poster presentations, conference presentations, agency/interagency briefings, workshops/training sessions, technical reports, scientific publications, undergraduate/graduate thesis, etc.).
• Experience managing, calibrating, and maintaining, scientific equipment such as water quality sondes (i.e., YSI EXO2 platform).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

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  Human Resources Manual - CalHR .

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678), Cover Letter, and Resume.  Please reference SAP Position #50105356and Job Control #521422in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

Please limit the Cover Letter to no more than one page and the Resume to no more than two pages. 

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

The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.   Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.  Incomplete application packages and those not adhering to the cover letter and resume page limits noted above will not be considered.

.  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.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Work at office, Remote work, Flexible hours, Night shift, Weekend work, Early shift

Similar Jobs