Job Description:

ABOUT THE POSITION

The County of Riverside's Flood Control and Water Conservation District (Flood Control District) has an opportunity for a Watershed Scientist. The position will be filled at either the Assistant Flood Control Planner or Associate Flood Control Planner level and will be assigned to the Flood Control District's Watershed Protection Division in Riverside.

Watershed Protection Division staff are responsible for a wide range of surface water resource management and environmental regulatory compliance activities; conduct investigations supporting creek, river and lake protection; undertake sampling/survey procedures and analytical protocols for field monitoring; research, compile and analyze environmental quality data to determine compliance with regulatory requirements; prepare complex technical reports and guidance documents; manage environmental and laboratory contracts for environmental sampling and analysis; review environmental legislation/regulations for impact on municipal operations; engage with regulatory and interagency committees concerning water quality monitoring and management program elements and reporting procedures; and perform other duties as assigned.

The District requires candidates with excellent communication skills who can directly support the further development of programs and projects protective of Riverside County's creeks, streams, rivers and lakes. Candidates with experience preparing high quality technical reports and oral presentations, who thrive in a team-focused environment, and have knowledge of municipal NPDES Stormwater Permits and California's regulatory programs for water quality protection are highly encouraged to apply.

Please note: The level at which the position will be filled is at the District's discretion and is contingent upon the candidate's experience, qualifications and educational attainment.

Meet the Team!
The Riverside County Flood Control and Water Conservation District provides for the control and conservation of flood and storm waters and for the protection of watercourses, watersheds, public highways, life and property from damage within its boundaries.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Undertake environmental resource, water quality and/or sediment quality investigations.

• Conduct environmental monitoring in potentially challenging environments (e.g., sampling in hot dry and wet weather conditions, hiking canyons, sampling in flowing streams).

• Perform complex statistical and geospatial analyses of environmental quality data.

• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and oral presentations on stormwater quality and water conservation programs.

• Review consultant progress and work products and prepare contract documentation.

• Use in-depth knowledge state, and federal environmental laws and regulations to pertaining to NPDES stormwater permitting to ensure municipal project and program compliance.

• Critically assess stormwater quality improvement programs and plans to identify potential funding sources, feasibility, and system impact, and anticipated environmental documents required.

• Determine costs and benefits of existing and proposed stormwater quality and water conservation programs and projects.

• Serve on technical committees and participate in stakeholder meetings for stormwater quality or water conservation related studies and projects conducted by the District or other agencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Assistant Flood Control Planner: $28.71 - 43.01
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in planning, biology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field.

Knowledge of: Basic principles of water quality control and water resource management; basic principles of either environmental, chemical, civil, agricultural, geotechnical, or sanitary engineering relating to the treatment and disposal of solid and liquid wastes, or relating to the control of water pollution and the management of source ground water; social, economic, and environmental conditions which affect public works planning; research, analytical, and statistical methods applicable to public works planning; methods, equipment, including computers, and techniques used in the preparation of planning reports; modern theories, current trends, and general principles and practices of urban and public works planning; local, state and federal environmental laws, regulations, and standard practices; CEQA, NEPA, Clean Water Act (404, 401), ESA, California Fish and Game Code, and other applicable state and federal regulations and guidance; "Water of the US and the State" and Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plans.

Ability to: Analyze water degradation and pollution and make recommendations for elimination and control; apply statistical methods and computer modeling techniques to stormwater planning projects; research, compile, analyze and interpret data; communicate effectively orally and in writing in a variety of situations; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work; analyze planning problems, technical studies, and documents, develop and evaluate alternative solutions, and recommend effective courses of action.

Associate Flood Control Planner: $36.37-$54.92

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or a closely related field. (A Master's degree in biology, chemistry, civil engineering, environmental sciences, or a closely related field may substitute for one year of the non-specialized required experience).

Experience: Two years of relevant professional environmental management experience.

Knowledge of: Principles of surface water resource management and relating to the control of water pollution in urban environments; statistical methods for analysis and interpretation of environmental quality data; local, state and federal environmental laws, regulations, and guidance for surface water quality protection in California with an emphasis on municipal stormwater management.

Ability to: Evaluate regulatory programs and permits and prepare compliance approach recommendations; analyze environmental impacts arising from municipal infrastructure projects and propose mitigative approaches ; communicate effectively orally and in writing to a range of target audiences; establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the course of work (internally with District and County staff and externally with multiple jurisdictions); analyze water quality/waterbody degradation and pollution and make recommendations for elimination and control of pollutant sources and other stressors; apply statistical methods, mapping and modeling techniques to stormwater planning projects; research, compile, analyze, and interpret environmental quality data and prepare reports and presentations to meet challenging deadlines.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: http://dao.rc-hr.com/ .

Degree/College Credit Verification:
Prior to the closing date, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account. If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).

***Prior to the closing date, upload a copy of your official/unofficial transcripts or Foreign Education Equivalency report. ***

Veterans' Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 (or NGB-22) indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policy here .

What's Next?
This recruitment is open to all applicants.

Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.

Applications received prior to the closing date will be considered based on the information submitted. Changes or alterations cannot be accepted. No late applications will be permitted.

For specific questions regarding this position, contact the Ebelyn Skinner at eskinner@rivco.org.

BASED ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, THIS POSTING MAY CLOSE WITHOUT NOTICE.

If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.

GENERAL APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com . A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.

MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.

Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

• 
  Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.


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  Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.


• 
  Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.
  

A new member is defined as any of the following:

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.

A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.

A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note:

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):

0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)

4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)

10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)

Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.

SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.

HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).

BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.

DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.

POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.

OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.

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