San Diego Region - Career Opportunities

Thinking of a career protecting California's water resources from pollution? Be part of the solution. Consider a career with the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region. We are seeking talented, motivated, skilled persons with sound judgment and creative problem solving skills, committed to a high standard of public service. Please review the job opening notices for the State and Regional Water Boards listed at our employment page for the details on the position and application requirements. If you are interested in a career with our agency, or have questions about current job openings, please send an email to Jeremy Haas.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified interviewed. Final filing dates may be extended without notice until positions are filled.

The San Diego Region is one of the most desirable places to live and work in the country. The San Diego Region has it all - year round sunshine, sparkling beaches, city life, mountains, deserts, rural life, boating, surfing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, and a plethora of other recreational activities. The San Diego Region's water resources are relied on and enjoyed by millions of San Diegans and countless visitors each year. The superb quality of life here depends in large part upon the environmental health of the Region.

One of the greatest environmental challenges we face is protection of the San Diego Region's water resources for today's residents and visitors and future generations. Point source discharges of pollutants to surface waters - rivers, streams, bays, estuaries, and the ocean originate from municipal sewage treatment plants, power plants, industrial sites, and similar facilities. These sources require close and consistent regulation and are now largely controlled through stringent implementation of water quality control laws and the efforts of the Regional Board, municipalities, industry and other agencies. However the cleanup of pollution from historic point source discharges in marine sediments is an ongoing challenge. Water resource protection concerns are currently shifting to nonpoint sources of pollution. Nonpoint sources arise from a variety of land uses – primarily urban and agricultural land uses. Pollutants in runoff from urban areas (municipal, industrial, commercial and residential land uses); construction projects; boating and marinas; agricultural and range and dairy cattle land uses; and other activities threaten the quality of the San Diego Region's waters. A growing concern is beach closures and postings due to urban runoff pollution that frequently prevent residents and tourists from enjoying local beaches. Ground water resources are also threatened by pollution from chemicals spills during storage, transport or disposal; leakage through the soil from leaking storage tanks and landfills or septic systems, and percolation of pollutants from illegal dumping of waste materials.

The California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Diego Region (Regional Board) is the primary State of California Agency charged with protecting the San Diego Region's surface, ground and coastal water resources from pollution. Our programs involve permitting, planning, monitoring, cleanup, enforcement and other regulatory actions related to protection of water quality. The Regional Board issues permits, develops water quality standards, implements pollution control strategies, monitors the quality of the region's waters, conducts special investigations on water quality matters, enforces water quality control laws, and conducts educational outreach to the regulated community and interested persons.

To address these challenges, the Regional Board employs a talented team of engineers, scientists, technicians, information specialists, and administrative support staff. The work we do here in protecting the San Diego Region's water resources is rewarding and an ongoing challenge with excellent career development and professional growth opportunities. Our people share a sense of purpose in working to protect the San Diego Region's water resources and work in partnership towards that common end.

The Regional Board hires under the civil service system of the State of California and appointment to jobs at the Regional Board requires list or transfer eligibility. To qualify, you must be eligible for appointment or transfer to the classification described in the job opening notice. Eligibility is based on satisfactory placement on an employment list through a competitive examination process. You may learn more about the competitive examination process State Water Resources Control Board Website

Additional information on state employment, employee benefits, classification specifications, and pay scales may be accessed at the State of California Personnel Board Website. We are an affirmative action employer, providing equal opportunity to all applicants regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age or sexual orientation.

Current Openings