Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist)
The Central Valley Flood Protection Board (CVFPB) is the State regulatory agency responsible for ensuring that appropriate standards are met for the construction, maintenance, and protection of the flood control system that protects life, property, and wildlife habitat in California’s vast and diverse Central Valley from the devastating effects of flooding. CVFPB issues encroachment permits and works with other agencies to improve the flood protection structures, enforces removal of problematic encroachments, and keeps watch over the Central Valley’s continually improving flood management system.
Prior to CVFPB approval of encroachment permits, applications must be reviewed by environmental staff to determine compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Additionally, the CVFPB acts as a lead agency pursuant to CEQA on flood risk reduction projects and compliance with federal and State laws is required. To this end, CVFPB is currently seeking a Senior Environmental Scientist to function as a Specialist to be responsible for performing professional scientific work, including: evaluation and review of environmental documents and policies; working with legal counsel to ensure projects approved and decisions made by the CVFPB are in compliance with federal and State environmental laws and policies; and providing formal presentations and written staff reports of recommendations to management and Board Members in publicly noticed meetings.
We are seeking a qualified candidate with excellent verbal and written communication skills, experience in the review or preparation of CEQA documents, familiarity with regulatory permitting processes, willingness to work in a team environment, project management skills, and the ability to develop and maintain cooperative relationships with a variety of interested parties, multidisciplinary employees, and outside agency personnel.
Knowledge of and/or experience in public presentations, professional report preparation, multi-benefit integrated water management projects, long-term vegetation management plans, habitat conservations plans, vegetation planting plans, and project management is also desired.