Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Do you enjoy working with tabular and spatial data, and making a difference to end users applying aerial imagery, spatial analysis, cartography, and visualization skills? Come join our team of highly talented scientists in the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) Land Use Program!

The DWR Division of Regional Assistance, Water Use Efficiency Branch, CIMIS Land Use and Water Use Section, Land Use Unit, is seeking a highly motivated individual with excellent educational background and experience, including geospatial expertise, remote sensing, WebGIS, programming, and advanced data analytics skills. We are looking for someone who enjoys working with data to perform meaningful, challenging, and rewarding tasks to join a team of highly qualified scientists in our Land Use Program. The long-term goal of the Land Use Program is to improve the frequency and efficiency of statewide land-use surveys by integrating remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) with field surveys, while analyzing data from local sources, satellite imagery, and high-elevation digital imagery. The main emphasis of our current field-level land-use surveys is mapping irrigated agricultural land statewide, including urban agriculture and native vegetation. Our land use surveys include more than 70 different crop types within 10 crop categories, and we also map irrigation methods and water sources where applicable. Land use data is the basis for calculating statewide agricultural water uses for the California Water Plan, water resources modelling, and supporting the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, among other uses. The Environmental Scientist will be responsible for various assignments in the development, analysis, and quality assurance and control of land use data, in addition to participating in planning, organizing, and fulfilling work assignments as a member of project teams working on multi-disciplinary tasks.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Special Requirements

The duties require occasional travel to attend meetings, training, and/or field.

The Department of Water Resources is committed to its mission and employees, and we are grounded in our commitment to public safety.  Regular, consistent, and predictable attendance is essential to the successful performance in this position.

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:

Knowledge of computing and analytical skills, experience including ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online, remote sensing software such as ENVI or ERDAS Imagine, and Python programming. Knowledge of SQL, Machine Learning, and other programming languages such as R and HTML will be advantageous. Field work, analyzing and evaluating environmental data, working with entities engaged in environmental work, and written and oral presentations are recommended.

The ideal applicant has excellent capacity to pay attention to detail, is reliable and productive in both independent and/or collaborative work settings and has advanced computer skills in word processing and spreadsheets along with strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills. Basic knowledge of irrigated agricultural crops grown in California and water usage in urban and agricultural areas is preferred.

Benefits

to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees. We offer continuous professional development and a wide range of training opportunities. Our brand new, state-of-the-art Natural Resources Headquarters Building is located right next to Light Rail in downtown Sacramento for an easy commute – we’ll even reimburse you for a portion of your monthly public transit pass!

Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit

Special Instructions

To be considered, submit the following documents: (1) State Application (STD 678); (2) Resume (two-page maximum); and (3) Statement of Qualifications. The Statement of Qualifications is an important part of your application; it is a separate typed document, 2 pages maximum, in Arial 12-point font, that succinctly and clearly describes your knowledge, skills, experience, and education directly related to the qualifications and duties listed in the job Duty Statement.  Please reference the SAP Position Number 50044079, and Job Control Number JC-514052 , in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.

The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.

Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - See Special Instructions for additional details.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs