Cultural Resources Specialist (JC-534859)

To be considered for this position, you must apply at CalCareers.ca.gov. To apply, you must first create a CalCareers account. Once your account is created, you can search for job code 534859 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Link: Job Posting | CalCareers

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 10/21/2026. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.

Job Description and Duties

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

Under close supervision of the Senior Environmental Scientist, the incumbent serves as one of the Division's Cultural Resources Specialists (CRS). The CRS reviews historic property identification reports submitted by applicants and works with applicants to correct deficiencies, drafts consultation letters to the State Historic Preservation Officer, tribes and other consulting parties for Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106) compliance and to tribes for California Environmental Protection Act (CEQA) compliance. The CRS provides professional guidance to applicants/consultants to assure compliance with laws and regulations regarding cultural resources (Section 106, the Archaeological and Historic Preservation Act, and CEQA) for a variety of wastewater and drinking water infrastructure projects. May conduct pre-field research such as creating geographic information system maps, orders record searches from the California Historical Resources Information System, requests Sacred lands File Searches from the Native American Heritage Commission and conducts Native American tribal consultation. Evaluates potential historical resources/historic properties for listing on the California Register of Historical Resources and National Register of Historic Places and assesses impact/effect on those properties. Write quality cultural resources technical documents to support CEQA and Section 106 findings. The incumbent may also perform limited archaeological fieldwork and write cultural resources technical reports and draft monitoring and discovery plans. The incumbent is responsible for reviewing and writing sections of environmental documents prepared for CEQA compliance, and drafting mitigation measures to reduce impacts on historical, archaeological, and tribal cultural resources when the State Water Board is CEQA lead agency. Briefs the State Water Board staff and management and attends meetings related to environmental project review for an array of drinking water and water quality projects.

May travel to project sites and meetings, perform field visits to confirm project compliance with environmental conditions, as necessary.

Duties: 

Serves as a Division of Financial Assistance’s (DFA) Cultural Resources Specialist and conducts cultural resources review pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106), the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other relevant state and federal laws and authorities. The Cultural Resources Specialist provides timely and professional assistance to the public and staff within DFA, by phone, e-mail, mail and in person; and works independently and with a team, communicates effectively and manages multiple projects.

Additional information:

Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.

If the position requires driving, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Please Do Not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: Recruitment Survey.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position and might be expected to comply with Executive Order (EO) 22-25 after July 1, 2026.

In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.  Proof of residency may be required.

Salary Information - CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. Employees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved Civil Service Pay Scales.

In addition, note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable bargaining contract. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

Job type: Full-Time

$4,418.00 - $9,321.00 per Month

The Water Resources Control Board is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer.