If you are interested in meaningful work to protect California’s surface and groundwaters then apply today and join our team! The Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board is recruiting for a full-time, permanent Environmental Scientist in its Forestry-Dredge and Fill Unit (FDF) in the South Lake Tahoe office, located at 2501 Lake Tahoe Boulevard, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150. The Lahontan Region covers 24% of the State of California, from the Oregon border to the Mojave Desert, and from the crest of the Sierra Nevada east to the Nevada border. The FDF is responsible for implementing the Forestry Activities Program and the Dredge and Fill Program throughout the Lahontan region.
Duties:
Under the direct supervision of a Senior Water Resource Control Engineer (Supervisory) in the Forestry/Dredge & Fill Unit, the Environmental Scientist (ES) will work with technical and administrative staff in both the South Lake Tahoe and Victorville Offices. Consistent with good customer service practices and the goals of the State and Regional Water Board’s Strategic Plan, the ES is expected to be courteous and to provide timely responses to internal and external customers, to follow through on commitments, and to solicit and consider internal and external customer input when completing work assignments.
The ES will apply scientific methods and principles necessary for the protection of water quality within the Lahontan Region. Responsibilities will include such activities as drafting permits, providing technical expertise, evaluating and assisting in the drafting of environmental documents, making policy recommendations, and performing sensitive assignments related to water quality issues and protection throughout the Lahontan Region. Evaluate and regulate the impacts of logging operations and other forest practices on the quality and beneficial uses of water. Coordinate with the federal land management agencies (US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection in reviewing Timber Harvest Plans (THPs), Working Forest Management Plans (WFMPs), Non-Industrial Timber Management Plans (NTMPs), utility corridor vegetation management plans, and timber harvest exemptions.
Review and regulate proposed projects that may affect water quality of waters of the state to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Water Quality Control Plan for the Lahontan Region (Basin Plan), Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA), and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Conduct fieldwork related to natural resource management and site assessments and investigations, including use of GIS and water quality sampling, data collection, and determinations of wetlands and sensitive water bodies. Prepare CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certifications and/or Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs) for project compliance with regulatory requirements. Permits may be developed for a variety of project types, including but not limited to, construction projects, bridges, piers, grading operations, utility corridor vegetation management, aquatic habitat restoration, marina dredging, invasive species removal, riparian enhancement, and enforcement related requirements. Work with a variety of stakeholders and partners to address California wildfires and forest resiliency approaches. Write reports and prepare Power Point presentations and presents to a variety of audiences.