SCIENTIFIC AID

State of California; California; Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region, has an opening for a Scientific Aid in the Agriculture and Waste Management Unit, located in San Diego. The position is paid hourly and limited to 1200 hours per rolling year, with the salary range $18.26–$21.67 per hour.

Under supervision, the Scientific Aid provides courteous, timely responses to internal and external customers, follows through on commitments, and considers input when completing assignments.

Qualifications

• Experience in providing customer service.
• Experience in interacting with groups and making effective public presentations or briefings.
• Experience in working independently or in cross-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in following through on commitments and meeting critical deadlines.
• Experience in following instructions through standard work processes, checking work products for accuracy.

Responsibilities

• Provide courteous and timely responses to internal and external customers.
• Follow through on commitments and consider input from others when completing work assignments.
• Refer to the Duty Statement for detailed duties attached.

Skills

Customer service

Public presentations

Independent work

Cross-disciplinary teamwork

Meeting deadlines

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: 10/30/2026

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

Please note: this position is paid on an hourly basis and limited to 1200 hours in a rolling year. The salary range for Scientific Aid is $18.26 - $21.67 per hour.

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region (San Diego Water Board) has an opening for a Scientific Aid in the Agriculture and Waste Management Unit located at 2375 Northside Drive, San Diego 92108.

Under the direction of a Senior Engineering Geologist (Supervisory) or delegated technical staff, and consistent with good customer service practices and the goals of the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) strategic plan, the Scientific Aid is expected to be courteous and provide timely responses to internal and external customers, follow through on commitments, and consider both internal and external customer input when completing work assignments. Specific job duties and responsibilities are included in the Duty Statement attached.

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.

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:

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 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

• Experience in providing customer service.
• Experience in interacting with groups and making effective public presentations or briefings.
• Experience in working independently or in cross-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in following through on commitments and meeting critical deadlines; and
• Experience in following instructions through standard work processes, checking work products for accuracy.

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/

Human Resources Contact:
Aja Marsh
[phone]
[e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact:
Agriculture and Waste Management Unit
[phone]
[e-mail]

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.

Statement of Qualifications

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate’s ab ility to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than two (2) pages in length, using Arial size 12 font and normal margins.

The SOQ must clearly explain, describe, and provide relevant examples as related to each of the factors listed in the Desirable Qualifications, have prepared you to successfully manage cases in the San Diego Water Board’s Agriculture and Waste Management Unit, and contribute to the overall mission of the San Diego Water Board.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated may not be c onsidered.

For guidance on writing effective SOQs, visit: Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications . Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be useful in the development of written responses; however, it is important to use these tools responsibly and ethically. Failure to comply may result in disqualification.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

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.