What are the responsibilities and job description for the SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST) position at California State Personnel Board?
Department of Toxic Substances Control
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST (SPECIALIST)
$7,820.00 - $10,732.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 5/29/2026
Job Description and Duties
As a Senior Environmental Scientist (Specialist) you will have the opportunity to:
- Review site documentation including historical land use and operational information, regulatory records research reports, environmental assessments, project scoping documents, field workplans, sampling reports, and Preliminary Endangerment Assessment reports to determine if a hazardous substance release has occurred at a site that may pose a threat to public health or the environment, and to determine whether further characterization is required to prepare or reviews site screening documents that present the gathered information for decision making
- Perform remedial investigation activities including: reviews and comments on investigation workplans, conduct site visits and inspections to verify compliance with approved investigation workplans, implement approved field sampling plans, analyze and provide comments on site characterization reports from various sources to define the nature and extent of contamination, and evaluate routes of exposure and actual or potential risks to human health and/or the environment
- Plan and manage a workload consisting of multiple projects with sometimes conflicting deadlines to ensure assignments are completed on time and within budget
- Prepare and maintain accurate project schedules to facilitate allocation of resources
- Provide necessary documentation to finalize site-specific contracts
- Prepare work orders/field orders, conduct contract oversight, processes invoices, and close-out site-specific work orders or contracts
- Demonstrated work experience with project management
- Demonstrated work or research experience in the environmental industry, specifically in site investigation and remediation
- Demonstrated work experience in data evaluation, data interpretation, technical writing development, and editorial review
- Demonstrated work experience with mentoring staff, providing leadership, and/or training on technical topics related to site investigation/cleanup processes, and/or participation in workgroups for guidance development
- Demonstrated work experience with client relations, regulatory compliance, and/or public outreach
Working Conditions
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of Toxic Substances Control does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.
A hybrid schedule may be available for this position.
DTSC - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)
Position Details
Department Information
The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (BDOs) within the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).
Our Mission: To protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.
Our Vision: All of California is thriving in a healthy environment.
Our Core Values: DTSC values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products. Join DTSC to improve the lives of all Californians!
DTSC Recruitment Survey:
Department Website: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
The SOQ should be no more than 1 page in length, be clearly written and well-organized, and be Arial font, size 12, single spaced with one (1) inch margins. A SOQ that does not conform to the specifications will be given a disqualifying score.
Your SOQ must specifically answer the following:
1. Please describe your education, training, and job experience working on assessment, investigation, and/or cleanup of potentially contaminated sites that support you being a successful candidate for the position described in the Duty Statement.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 5/29/2026Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
- Statement of Qualifications -
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD.678). Please refer to the "Special Requirements” section above for additional information.
Benefits
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Department Website: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Talent Aquisition
(279) 895-5087
Talent@dtsc.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Lora Jameson
(916) 255-3586
Lora.Jameson@dtsc.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:EEO Office
(916) 324-3095
OCR@dtsc.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Application Instructions
Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended. If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed STD. 678 and application package to the mailing address provided above in the “Application Instructions” section. Applications must be postmarked on or before the final filing date.
For mail-in or drop-off applications, please include JC# 517846 and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application.
Pending Budget Approval - DTSC will obtain all necessary approvals prior to extending a job offer.
Foreign Degrees
Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degree/ transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency.
Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org.
DO NOT include any confidential information in your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.).
Examination Information
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=4287
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Salary : $7,820 - $10,732