SCIENTIFIC AID

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Job summary

The State Water Resources Control Board is seeking a part-time Scientific Aid in the Confined Animal Facilities Unit, based in Rancho Cordova, CA. The role involves data entry, report review, field sampling, and assisting in the preparation of water quality research and enforcement documents.

California residency is required for telework eligibility. Salary ranges from $18.26 to $21.67 per hour, with new hires placed at the minimum of the range.

Qualifications

• Ability to review technical reports and extract water-quality information.
• Proficient data entry into databases and spreadsheets.
• Willingness to assist in field sampling and site inspections.

Responsibilities

• Review technical reports and extract water quality information.
• Enter data into databases and spreadsheets.
• Assist in preparation of water quality research projects and routine reports.
• Participate in water quality site inspections and field sampling.
• Assist in identifying water quality violations and documentation of enforcement actions.
• Perform program support duties such as file handling and public document preparation.

Skills

Data entry

Report review

Field sampling

Driving

Education

College students welcome

Tools

Databases

Spreadsheets

Job description

$18.26 - $21.67 per Hour
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/25/2026

Job Description and Duties

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

Please note: this position is paid on an hourly basis and limited to 1500 hours per calendar year. The salary range for a Scientific Aid is $18.26 - $21.67 per hour.

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board has an opening for a Scientific Aid in the Confined Animal Facilities Unit. The position is located at 11020 Sun Center Drive, Suite 200, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 which is within a pleasant business park with walking paths and nearby restaurants and shops. If you are interested in environmental science, agricultural engineering, water quality management, or other related topics this position is for you! College students are welcome to apply for this part‑time position.

Duties:

Review various technical scientific reports, extract relevant water quality information; enter relevant information into various databases and spreadsheets.

Assist in the preparation of water quality scientific research projects; and assist in the development of various routine scientific reports, memos, permits and formal and informal enforcement documents.

Participate in water quality site inspections and field sampling. Assist in identifying and documenting water quality violations and the development of informal and formal enforcement actions. Some driving and moderate lifting may be required.

Program support duties include: review and file scientific water quality program reports pertaining to the specific units; data entry; copy and scan scientific documents, archive documents; pull scientific water quality reports for public review; prepare mass informational mailing notices; distribute technical water quality documents; assist in file inventory and maintenance; and answer phones from the public regarding basic routine scientific related issues.

Perform other duties as required within the scope of knowledge and abilities expected of a Scientific Aid.

Additional information:

Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.

If the position requires driving, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Please Do Not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: Recruitment Survey .

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position .

In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment. Proof of residency may be required.

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. Employees 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.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SCIENTIFIC AID

SCIENTIFIC AID $18.26 - $21.67 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

State Water Resources Control Board

Telework:

Hybrid

Department Information

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the nine (9) Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) (collectively the Water Boards) work to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Water Boards value diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations. Join the Water Boards to improve the lives of all Californians.

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

• RPA# 26-150-014 in the "Examination or Job Title(s)" section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
• Driver’s license.
• Photocopies of Transcripts (unofficial are okay).

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: https://www.naces.org/members.

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:

• Cloud server and Microsoft Office skills to include Excel, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint.
• Excel experience with sorting, macros, and using relevant formulas to update and revise older spreadsheets.
• Experience or knowledge of updating tracking spreadsheets, organizing files, and uploading documents to servers.
• Experience learning quickly or previous experience with internal databases such as California Integrated Water Quality System (CIWQS).
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) / geodatabase experience and/or knowledge.
• Experience working in an office and field environment.
• Experience interpreting laws, rules, and regulations.

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled.You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice)TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

CalWORKs Additional Information

This is a non-testing classification, therefore anyone meeting the minimum qualifications listed on the classification specification may apply for this position.

Applicants on public assistance under the CalWorks/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will be given priority. A letter from the County Welfare department verifying CalWorks/TANF status MUST be submitted with your application. If verification is not submitted with the Std. 678 application, the application will not be processed. Applicants who receive state public assistance need to identify their status as a CalWorks recipient in the comments area on their state application.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.