Environmental Scientist

About This Role

This role supports the District's mission to manage, protect, conserve, and enhance the region's water supply in an environmentally balanced manner. The Environmental Scientist/Regulatory Affairs Specialist provides expertise in regulatory compliance to guide and complete projects that support the District’s environmental and conservation initiatives, ensuring long-term sustainability of water resources programs. Primary responsibilities focus on the regulatory and compliance components of the District’s projects, involving both lead and support roles in project planning, management, and implementation for large, complex, and highly specialized water resource management projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise and guidance during project planning and development
• Prepare project-specific documentation, such as regulatory application packages, implementation reports, and associated correspondence
• Advise District staff, Board of Directors, and executive management on regulatory and technical matters for District projects
• Represent the District on regulatory and permitting matters to governmental agencies, various organizations, and the general public
• Develop effective working relationships with representatives of key agencies and organizations
• Guide state and federal environmental review (e.g., CEQA, NEPA, cultural) and permitting (e.g., ESA, CESA, Clean Water Act, LSA, FERC license requirements) processes
• Perform administrative tasks for the Environmental Services Department, including developing and managing contracts with consultants
• Develop and track budgets
• Manage grant applications
• Prepare reports and presentations for Board meetings
• Maintain records on project activities and the District’s compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws, rules, and regulations
• May supervise or direct the work of other staff in the Environmental Services Department

Requirements

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, including the Endangered Species Act, the California Endangered Species Act, FERC licensing and compliance, Clean Water Act permitting, Lake and Streambed Alteration agreements, the California Environmental Quality Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act
• Knowledge of the functions, procedures, and organization of state and federal governmental agencies that administer these laws
• Knowledge of principles of ecology, biology, hydrology, geomorphology, and water resource management
• Knowledge of scientific methods and techniques of data collection, management, and analysis for ecological studies
• Experience in the preparation of formal documents including reports, letters, presentations, application packages, and other clearly written professional communication